Allan Whiting started his martial arts study in Sydney, at age 19, learning Judo from a Kodokan-accredited instructor. He reached brown belt level before moving over to Goju-kai Karate. 

Merv Oakley was heading Goju-kai Karate in Australia after returning from training in Japan with Gogen Yamaguchi – ‘The Cat’ – with whom Allan was greatly impressed when Yamaguchi-sensei visited Australia.

Allan was at green belt level in Goju-kai when he began to study Kawaishi-style Jujutsu in Sydney.

Six years later he held a Nidan grade, before committing to regular visits to Japan, to study Tenjin Shinyo Ryu Jujutsu, with Kubota-sensei.

In Japan, he simultaneously trained in Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo and also Iaido with Kaminoda-sensei and, later, Nishioka-sensei.

He studied Judo again, under the guidance of Koyama-sensei, 8th Dan. Allan holds Koyama-sensei in awe, as the finest Judo exponent he has trained with. 

Allan has trained to Shodan level in Judo, Jodo and Iaido, but Tenjin Shinyo Ryu Jujutsu remains his primary passion.