Michael Williams Sensei, International Chief Instructor
Michael Williams Sensei was first attracted to Aikido while visiting New Zealand in 1974, where he attended demonstrations
by Koichi Tohei Sensei. He was a serious student of Yoga and Wing Chun Kung Fu at that time. Returning to his homeland of
South Africa, he began training with Jean Claude Delgueldre Sensei, Chief Instructor of Aikido in South Africa.
He immigrated
Zealand in 1978 where he continued his training with the New Zealand Ki Society. He moved to Australia in 1981,
where he founded Aikido Ki Society Australia and established his first dojo at Griffith University in Brisbane.
In 1985 he was appointed Chief Instructor of Australia by Koichi Tohei Sensei. At that time Maruyama Sensei was
the Chief Instructor of Ki Society International and taught many seminars in Australia and New Zealand. He was an
inspirational teacher to one and all and during this time, Williams Sensei and Maruyama Sensei formed a special bond.
In 1989, Williams Sensei relocated to Byron Bay in northern NSW where he built Goshinkan Dojo. Bordered by forest
reserve, Goshinkan provides a serene haven for all Australian aikidoists to train together. It was officially
opened by Master Koretoshi Maruyama, President of Ki Society International, in May 1991.
Williams Sensei resigned from Ki Society International in January 2002 after a 28-year association with the organisation.
At the same time he also resigned from Aikido Ki Society Australia, the group he founded in 1981. After re-establishing
contact with Maruyama Sensei, Williams Sensei was requested to act as a facilitator to disseminate Aikido Yuishinkai
throughout the world. There are now Aikido Yuishinkai dojos operating in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore,
Argentina, Canada and the United States.
Michael Williams Sensei was awarded 9th Dan and appointed Chief Instructor of Akido Yuishinkai International in October 2003.
