Cleveland Aikido Dojo

Thom Hansen started martial arts at the age of 13 when a Judo club opened in the local church hall in Bardon ( a suburb of Brisbane) and continued till he finished school.  In his teenage years he studied some Jujutsu and Karate styles, but never quite found what was ideal for him.  In the late 1970s Thom was introduced to Rhee Tae Kwon Do.   Tae Kwon Do held Thom's interest for quite a few years but again found something missing.  At this time (early 1980s) Thom found that he wanted more than just physical training which the Tae Kwon Do offered, he was looking for something that offered MIND AND BODY training.  In 1984 Thom was introduced to Aikido at Griffith University being taught by Sensei Michael Williams, the relaxed atmosphere of the dojo and friendly attitude of all the students appealed to Thom and finally found what he was looking for in a martial art.

 Thom's major aikido influences have been Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei, Iwao Tamura Sensei and Michael Williams Sensei.

Quotes

"Aikido will do till something better comes along  --  still haven't found anything better"

Brendon Wu