Singapore Aikido Heritage

In 1958, Sensei Masahiro (Mutsuro) Nagazono  (1918-1994) from Hombu Dojo open the first Aikido class in Singapore at 37 Hill Street. The oldest record found in the National Archive of Singapore is the business registration (ROB) of the  Singapore Aikido Federation 1959-1960 by Nagazono Sensei. As early as 1961, Nagazono travelled around Europe and UK to help promote Aikido there. Nakazono Sensei with Tamura Sensei. (France 1966) Excerpts from Nagazono's biography :

As Nakazono left Singapore, Sensei Teddy Lee Meng Kum (1929-1994) took over as Chief Instructor of the Singapore Aikido Federation. Nakazono Sensei as well as other Japanese instructors continued to visit Singapore and provide technical advice. Teddy Lee was the son of a prominent Singapore industrialist Mr. Lee Kim Soo (1888-1933) and Madam Neo Bah Tak (1911-1998). More information on Mr. Lee Kim Soo can be found here .

On 8th April 1972, Sensei Harry Ng Cheng Kan , then 3rd Dan, led Singapore's first public Aikido demonstration. Singapore Aikido Federation, 40 St. Patrick's Road [According to Ng Sensei, the footage for this demonstration has been lost. Please contact aikido.history@gmail.com if you know its whereabouts and wish to contribute to this project] Source:  One Search - NLB Singapore Source:  One Search - NLB Singapore

The Singapore Aikido Federation welcomed then Waka-Sensei Moriteru Ueshiba led a visit to Singapore Aikido in 1977. Aikido classes in Singapore were being taught at the Metropolitan YMCA by the following instructors (according to 1976 record): Harry Ng , 3rd dan George Chang , 2nd dan Jeffrey Ang , 1st kyu Francis Chong , 1st kyu

In 1987, Aikikai (Singapore) was formed, serving as the central authority of Aikido in Singapore to be a single communication channel between Aikikai Foundation (Japan Headquarters) and Singapore Aikido. Its Board of Management: Harry Ng Cheng Kan - President, Chief Instructor George Chang - Vice-President Freddy Khong Tee Hin  - Committee Member  Seah Ah Hee - Treasurer Philip Lee Fook Chuen   - Secretary

In 2007, Sensei Harry Ng, Chief Instructor of Aikikai (Singapore) - due to a disagreement with the current Board of Directors - separated to form Shoshin Aikikai Singapore at Ceylon Sports Club, 101 Balestier Road. NUS Aikido, a dojo belonging to Aikikai (Singapore), also left to become a member club of Shoshin Aikikai. Official website: Business record: After 20 years since its official recognition in 1987 , the original 5 founding members of Aikikai (Singapore) have left to form their own dojo . ✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽ At this point, there is no central association governing all Aikido dojos in Singapore. Each dojo has their own contact/technical advisor in Aikikai Foundation - Hombu dojo (Japan), regarding grading matters and international events. Due to Aikikai Foundation (International) regulations , there can be only one member organization per country. Aikikai (Singapore) continues to be the official delegate for Singapore. However, Hombu dojo recognizes mo...