Aikido: Sensei Francis Klyne

Sensei Francis Klyne, Aikido teacher of my childhood days was highlighted in The Star yesterday. I had just woken up when my dad came in and gave me the papers, showing the article.

Sensei Francis Klyne

My early teacher of Aikido

Sensei Francis taught me, as well as my brothers as children. Back then he was a towering figure to us kids, but somehow we were never intimidated, as he had a very gentle and kind demeanour about him.

What I remember most was how he made classes fun for us kids, and how he put up with our antics in the dojo (Used to always go for the weapons, and hurt ourselves, or fight with my brothers heh heh).

Still going strong

He would train alongside the kids, and take amazing falls, with the most amazingly loud slams on the mat I ever heard. I really believed I was this powerful kid, being able to throw a person of his size, which I guess led me to learning to love Aikido, heh heh.

Thank you Sensei Francis, and hope to see you soon.

Here's the article from The Star:

A guru’s kick in life

At first glance, Francis Klyne may look like any other senior citizen. But don’t be quick to judge this martial arts guru as he can still take on younger opponents with just a twist of his hand before hurling them into the air. The 65-year-old has almost five decades’ experience as an Aikido practitioner and received his early training at the martial art’s headquarters in Japan. Despite his credentials, Klyne has always maintained a low profile until recently when his disciples “coaxed” him to agree to some publicity. The father of two was the first student of illustrious Aikido master K.Thambirajah who was the first Malaysian to be graded the rank of “Shodan” (1st dan) in June 1957 by the Japanese Government. Thambirajah, 82, has also been endorsed as the Oldest Practising Aikido Instructor in the country by Malaysia Book Of Records. Klyne repeatedly praised Thambirajah for teaching him the martial art. “I am indebted to him for parting with his skills that eventually moulded me into what I am today,” he said. Born in Seremban, Klyne devoted most of his life to martial arts including Judo, but was intrigued with Aikido because of the pain inflicted on opponents by the locks and grips. In the late 1970s, he had received several awards from the Negri Sembilan Government for thwarting crime in Seremban. Klyne has also formed his own martial arts centre in Taman Bukit Blossom, Seremban, where he trains almost 50 students. “My soul is devoted to martial arts and I will continue to teach until my last breath,” he added.