Joe Thambu Sensei's exceptional skill as a martial artist is the result of nearly 35 years commitment to Budo (the path of the warrior). Thambu Sensei's training began at age eleven under the tutelage of his uncle, Thamby Rajah Sensei - the father of Malaysian Aikido. These early days under his uncle were full of hard training, but provided an initiation to the Yoshinkan system of Aikido; an art not widely taught outside of Japan at the time. Whilst still in Malaysia, Thambu Sensei also trained under Donn Draeger Sensei - famed martial arts scholar and teacher of the classical Japanese art, Muso Shinto Ryu Jodo.
Awarded his black belt in 1978, Thambu Sensei relocated to Australia in 1980. At the time, Yoshinkan Aikido was not taught in Australia. So Thambu Sensei trained briefly in Ju-jitsu and Aikikai Aikido. However, he soon realised this training did not suit him. It was at this time Thambu Sensei decided to begin teaching the art of Yoshinkan Aikido in Australia. In 1983 he travelled to Japan to train at the Yoshinkan headquarters. Upon his return he established Australia's first Yoshinkan Aikido dojo, the Aikido Shudokan. By 1993 Sensei Thambu was travelling to Japan to test for the rank of fifth dan. He tested successfully and received his promotion from the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido, the legendary Soke Shioda Gozo. In doing so, Thambu Sensei became the youngest non-Japanese to be awarded this rank, and the last to be tested by Soke Shioda before his passing in 1994.
Thambu Sensei has since returned many times to Japan, and in that time the Aikido Shudokan has contributed much to martial arts in Australia. Indeed, the school has graduated almost one hundred dan grade (black belt) holders since its inception. A registered member school of the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation, all ranking students at the Aikido Shudokan are recognised by the Yoshinkan Headquarters in Japan. Indeed, two former students of the Aikido Shudokan were members of the International Section at Yoshinkan Headquarters in Japan for nearly a decade. In 1996, Blitz Magazine recognised Thambu Sensei's abilities and achievements by awarding him the Blitz Aikido Instructor of the Year. As Australia's leading Yoshinkan Aikido instructor, Thambu Sensei was promoted to the rank of sixth dan by the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation in December 2001.
True to his open-minded spirit, Thambu Sensei has studied under a variety of internationally renowned teachers. In addition to such luminaries as Soke Shioda, Thamby Sensei & Draeger Sensei, he counts among his major influences Soke Obata Toshishiro, the Founder of Shinkendo and Shihan Nariyama Tetsuro, the Chief Instructor of Tomiki Aikido.
Away from the mats of the Aikido Shudokan, Thambu Sensei is well known for combining his martial skills and security industry experience in teaching security personnel around Australia. Thambu Sensei teaches Yoshinkan Aikido seminars both interstate and internationally, with recent seminars in Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Poland, Thailand and Canada.
A much sought after educator, Thambu Sensei regularly takes Aikido to a wider audience teaching self-development classes at a variety of public & private secondary schools. A popular public speaker & corporate trainer, Thambu Sensei has shared his insights on the art of harmony with audiences including Telstra senior managers, managers at Toyota Australia, elite sporting coaches from around Australia, and senior managers from numerous Melbourne municipalities.
Thambu Sensei continues a proud tradition that crosses the boundaries of any single art. This tradition passes through the halls of traditional martial art schools everywhere. As those lucky enough to train with him soon realise, he is exemplary, both as a martial artist and as an individual. For any serious student of the martial arts, you could not ask for better teacher.