THE ENABLERS
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ALL instructors are certified by New International Karate Org. (NIKO) to provide Ashihara Karate instruction. Their other related professional credentials include:
> SG-Coach Certification by Sport Singapore, including Master Coach certification held by Vincent Shi > PA Lifestyles & Lifeskills Trainer Certification by the People's Association (PA) > Basic First-aid Certification by a National Registry of Coaches (NROC)-approved centre |
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<< Cheryl Ong
Cheryl is the Branch Chief of Ashihara Karate in Singapore and leads the promotion and development of the martial art in the country. In her 10 years practicing Ashihara Karate, Cheryl has been instrumental in enabling the Club to design and deliver programs to consider the female perspective, while paving the way for female participants to empower themselves through Karate. |
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<< Rusydi (Rush) Omar
Prior to handing over the mantle of Branch Chief of Ashihara Karate in Singapore, Rush led the promotion and development of the martial art in the country leading to its programs running across two bases in Singapore, with the longest running one, Buona Vista CC, being continuously active for last 10 years. His experience of over 2 decades with Ashihara Karate and fronting the local chapter involved a myriad of roles, including developing the program into one that considers reality-based self-defense, effective learning strategies, and modern sport sciences. Today, Rush focuses his energies on managing the Club, Lionheart Academy, while serving as a senior instructor to participants interested in an Ashihara Karate that stays true to its founding values. |
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<< Aylwin Tan
Aylwin heads the latest Ashihara Karate branch in Singapore- Bidadari CC. He is an Ashihara Karate practitioner of over 15 years and has been instrumental in the development of the martial art in Singapore given his involvement in the club's development in its early days. As a physical education professional, Aylwin provides invaluable insights on effective coaching methods for holistic personal development, which are incorporated in the way we share Ashihara Karate. |
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<< Anthony Chua
Anthony was the principal instructor for Rush and Aylwin, having first introduced Ashihara Karate to them and subsequently supported their journeys to attaining their positions as coach-instructors. Through his career of more than 20 years in Ashihara Karate training and instruction, he raised multiple Black Belt holders and instructed at various locations in Singapore including SAFRA Bukit Merah, Queenstown CC, and Buona Vista CC. While he is not actively instructing today, he remains to be closely acquainted with the Club, providing support and guidance, and occasionally dropping in as a guest instructor. |
OUR ORGANIZATION
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Lionheart Academy (LHA), previously marketed as Ashihara Kaikan Singapore (AKS), is an official representative of New International Karate Organization (NIKO), the international governing body for Ashihara Karate.
It is a licensed provider for Ashihara Karate instruction in the country and is dedicated to promoting the Ashihara system in a manner that is authentic, progressive and at its highest standard of practice. |
IMPORTANT
Ashihara Karate and its associated insignias are protected intellectual properties (IPs) of NIKO, with its use in Singapore authorized to and controlled by LHA. Unauthorized use and reproduction of these IPs is a criminal offence under the Trade Marks Act (2005 Revised Ed) (Cap. 332) and its subsidiary legislation, the Trade Mark Rules and Trade Marks (International Registration) Rules.
Ashihara Karate and its associated insignias are protected intellectual properties (IPs) of NIKO, with its use in Singapore authorized to and controlled by LHA. Unauthorized use and reproduction of these IPs is a criminal offence under the Trade Marks Act (2005 Revised Ed) (Cap. 332) and its subsidiary legislation, the Trade Mark Rules and Trade Marks (International Registration) Rules.
Above: LHA is listed in the official NIKO website as an approved branch in Singapore to provide Ashihara Karate instruction
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Being part of a NIKO-accredited branch allows our participants with:
> An international membership with NIKO > An internationally-recognized certificate of progression in Ashihara Karate > Access to local and international events in the NIKO calendar (tournaments, camps, workshops/ seminars, exchanges) > Access to 160 training centres in Japan and 170 locations in other parts of the world Most importantly, it assures participants of a quality and up-to-date curriculum, given LHA's annual engagement in training refreshers at the NIKO headquarters in Ehime, Japan. |
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With LHA, Ashihara Karate is conveyed as a non-competitive martial art, focusing on the cultivation of effective self-defence skills and continued personal development.
With the Ashihara system at its core, we actively explore and develop upon these themes. At the same time, we provide avenues for participants to experience other dimensions of karate practice that includes tournaments, seminars/ workshops, educational excursions and camps, among others. With our continued effort, Ashihara Karate today enjoys a steady following in Singapore, promoting the enjoyment of karate. |
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OUR AFFILIATION
Above: The new Ashihara Kaikan headquarters building and dojo, officially opened in 2023 following relocation works that began in early 2020s.
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Above: The former Ashihara Kaikan headquarters that have served as a mecca for Ashihara Karate practitioners from the 1980s up till early 2020s.
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New International Karate Organization (NIKO) is the world governing body for Ashihara Karate, founded by the late Kancho (organization chief), Ashihara Hideyuki in 1980.
It oversees the regulation of Ashihara Karate instruction across the 160 branches in Japan and 170 branches in other countries. NIKO's headquarters still remain in its founding base in Matsuyama city of Ehime prefecture, Japan. Today, the leadership of NIKO is held by the son of the late founder, Ashihara Hidenori (Kancho). Alongside branch leaders and other members around the world, he strives to uphold the will of the Ashihara legacy and bring the organization to ever greater heights. Check out NIKO's website here! |