Goshu-Ryu SunCoast

RYAN SLAVIN Shihan has been training in martial arts for over 30 years.

Ryan firstly began his martial training in 1994 in the Korean art of Tae Kwon Do where he attained 2nd Dan under Darryl Gowlett and Michael Tan (8th Dan) after 15 years of training. During these years he took part in numerous competition fights and was never beaten in Queensland (State Champion for the years he competed). Furthermore, he won a silver medal at the Australian National TKD Championships – his only ever loss in his fighting career.

In 2001, Ryan moved to Japan to immerse himself in Japanese culture and explore Japanese martial arts. There he trained in the traditional Japanese martial art – or koryū – Yagyu Shingan Ryū Taijutsu – Jujutsu; Kenjutsu; Bojutsu. On return to Australia, Ryan began training in Shintō Musō Ryū Jōjutsu (SMR) and Yoshinkan Aikido.

In 2005 he returned to Japan to pursue academic study at Nagoya University and further his training in Shintō Musō Ryū Jo. At this time he received the SMR rank of shodan from Nishioka Tsuneo Sensei. Much later after returning to Australia, in 2018 he received the SMR Oku Iri Certificate and the rank of Sho Mokuroku under Glen Henry Sensei (Menkyo Kaiden). Ryan continues to train with Glen Henry Sensei still today.

In Goshu-Ryu Aiki Jiu Jitsu and Yoshinkan Aikido, after 22 years of continuous connection to training under Michiharu Mori Shihan (8th Dan Uchi Deshi to the late Gozo Shioda Kancho) at the Brisbane Goshu-Ryu Aiki Jiu Jitsu Dojo, Ryan received the rank of 6th Dan and Shihan in 2024. Ryan also holds an International Yoshinkai Federation Instructor license as well as his Goshu-ryu Instructor license.

Upon relocating with his family in 2012 to teach at a college on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Ryan responded to his instructor’s advice of opening a traditional Japanese martial arts dojo to aspire to the goal mentioned in the opening paragraph above. In 2022, Ryan also became a direct student of Master Carlos Machado in the art of Jiu Jitsu. (Carlos Machado is cousin to the famous Gracie family of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. His main instructor throughout his life was his cousin Carlos Gracie, Jr., but he has also trained with Helio Gracie, Carlson Gracie, Rolls Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Crolin Gracie, Rillion Gracie and his brothers.) In addition to his martial arts qualifications, Ryan holds an undergraduate degree in Linguistics, a post-graduate degree in Education (teaching) and a Masters degree in International Relations/Global Politics. Ryan teaches at one of the Sunshine Coast’s most prestigious colleges and is a published author of a variety of educational texts with Cambridge University Press.