Aiki-Sambo South Africa (ASSA) is a Japanese mixed martial arts system developed by Shihan Terence Teraine Sensei. Aiki-Sambo South Africa is based on the traditional Ryuseikan Aiki-Sambo style developed by Kancho Kenji Nakazawa Sensei. Originally, his style was called Yoshinkan Aiki-Sambo (see Aiki-Sambo Yoshinkan DVD).

The Yoshinkan/Ryuseikan Aiki-Sambo style incorporates blocks and strikes from Karate and Kempo, takedowns and throws from Ju-jitsu and Judo, combined with Russian Sambo techniques and Japanese Aikido.

The Aiki-Sambo South Africa style includes all of the above, combined with pinning and locking from Aiki-jitsu, groundwork and grappling from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gi and No-Gi, and MMA. Aiki-Sambo South Africa is a combat self-defence hybrid mixed martial arts system and is a registered business (Pty. Ltd.).

Coach Terence “Tee” Teraine holds 7th Dan rankings in Tenchikan Aiki-Sambo, Aiki-jitsu, Aikido, Ju-jitsu, Goshin-jitsu and Kubu-jitsu, along with a 3rd Dan in Shotokan Karate and Shotokan Kickboxing, a 1st Dan in Kudokwan Judo and Kubu-du, a 1st Dan in Budo-Ryu Karate and Funakoshi Karate, and is also a Black Belt in Krav Maga and a Black Sash in Kung-fu.

All were awarded by Hanshi Dr. Karel “Wollie” Wolmarans, 10th Dan World Chief Instructor. Terence is also the Founder and Chief Instructor All Africa of Tenchikan Martial Arts South Africa, awarded in 2024 by Hanshi Dr. Wollie.

Terence is an ex-military veteran (1 year), ex-black belt bouncer (1 year), ex-black belt bodyguard (1 year), ex-CPF patroller, and ex-MMA fighter turned MMA instructor (Alien MMA established 2015). He was awarded Founder Head Instructor by the President of MMA South Africa.

Kancho Kenji Nakazawa holds a 5th Dan in Yoshinkan Aikido, is an Aiki-jujitsu Shihan, and holds a 5th Dan in Aiki-Sambo, awarded by President Shihan Michael J. Creedy, 7th Dan of the Nihon Budo Federation of Australia in 2015. Kenji also holds 2nd Dan ranks in Shotokan Karate, Ju-jitsu, Judo, Kempo, Kendo, Ken-jitsu, and Iaido. He is a Taiho-jitsu (arresting techniques) champion, a former riot police officer (5 years), and trained under undefeated World Sambo Champion Viktor Koga.

In 2002, Sensei Terence Teraine (1st Dan Yoshinkan Aikido and Gojukan Aiki-jitsu) was invited by Sensei Jacques van der Westhuizen (3rd Dan Yoshinkan Aikido and 3rd Dan Shotokan Karate) to attend a seminar at the Alberton Dojo, presented by Sensei Kenji (4th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido). The seminar lasted one hour, during which Terence was selected by Kenji as his personal uke for demonstrations consisting of Aikido and Sambo techniques.

Sensei Terence was instructed by Sensei Jacques not to contact Sensei Kenji directly. The Alberton Dojo later closed following the passing of Sempai Melanie Erasmus, and due to Sensei Otto Pretorius, Sensei Jacques, and Sensei Barry Neville being removed from the Yoshinkan Aikido Foundation South Africa (YAFSA), Japanese Karate International (JKI), and Aiki-jitsu South Africa (AJSA) National Board due to politics. All subsequently retired, including Sensei Derrick, who moved to Pretoria.

In 2005, Sensei Terence contacted Sensei Kenji via Facebook, leading to a friendship and the planning of the first International Yoshinkan/Ryuseikan Aiki-Sambo Seminar. This seminar was hosted by Sensei Terence (5th Dan) and Sensei Suzette van der Merwe (1st Dan) and lasted seven days at Tenchi Dojo (established 2000) and the Sensei Petro De Villiers 1st Dan Dojo in Springs in 2014.

Prior to Shihan Kenji’s visit, he awarded Sensei Terence and recognized him as Aiki-Sambo South Africa Dojo-cho Head Instructor. Aiki-Sambo South Africa was officially established in 2014.

After viewing Sensei Terence’s stunt demo reel, Sensei Kenji expressed respect for his martial arts and athletic ability, stating that he believed Terence was the perfect candidate to represent Aiki-Sambo in South Africa. In addition to martial arts, Terence has worked in the film industry since 2002 as a stuntman and has training in gymnastics, ballet (1 year), yoga (1 year), Pilates, archery (instructor), horse riding, modeling (2 years), and meditation.

Sensei Terence and Sensei Suzette covered all of Kancho Kenji’s travel expenses, including airfare, airport taxes, visas, transportation, accommodation, local tours, VIP protection, seminars, private training, promotions, marketing, advertising, media, Rhino and Lion Park visits, celebrations, laundry, holidays, and additional airfare and airport taxes for Cape Town.

Sensei Terence, already a 5th Dan, was only interested in the Sambo aspect of Aiki-Sambo and questioned how a 5th Dan could grade another 5th Dan. Sensei Kenji stated it was only a formality and requested that Sensei Terence and Sensei Suzette grade Brown Belt in Yoshinkan/Ryuseikan Aiki-Sambo style. Terence agreed but made it clear that he would teach Tenchikan Aiki-Sambo, not Yoshinkan/Ryuseikan Aiki-Sambo.

An agreement was reached, and the first Brown Belt promotions were conducted at Tenchi Dojo. When certificates were to be issued, Kenji had no formal Aiki-Sambo certificates and requested the use of Yoshinkan Aikido certificates, which were in Taiwanese rather than Japanese. Sensei Terence redesigned, printed, and issued certificates that were signed, sealed, and stamped by Kancho Kenji.

A second seminar was organized in 2015 by Sensei Terence, Sensei Suzette, and Sensei Otto, with Sensei Gordon Douglas invited. After another seven-day seminar, Sensei Terence and Sensei Suzette were graded as the first Black Belts. No certificates were issued, though the Black Belt ceremony was conducted at Tenchi Dojo. Sensei Otto and Sensei Gordon were graded Brown Belt.

After this seminar, Kancho Kenji requested Kaicho Hoosain Narker, 8th Dan and Founder of Ashihara Karate South Africa (AKSA), to design and issue certificates for all those graded, including the 2014 Brown Belts. No Black Belt certificates have ever been issued to date.

During private Black Belt training, Kancho Kenji injured both Sensei Terence and Sensei Suzette, requiring medical attention from Shihan Dr. Wollie.

Due to political issues involving Sensei Otto and Sensei Gordon, both were removed from Aiki-Sambo South Africa. Kancho Kenji was also removed for making financial demands, failing to issue Black Belt certificates after a Cape Town holiday funded by Sensei Terence and Sensei Suzette, and for conducting seminars without consulting Aiki-Sambo South Africa.

Aiki-Sambo South Africa owns the intellectual property rights to the name Aiki-Sambo, which is a registered trademark, and the logo is registered with Temple Arts Graphic Design CC.

Kancho Kenji has continued visiting South Africa to teach Yoshinkan/Ryuseikan Aiki-Sambo style without a valid work permit and is teaching illegally. He is not permitted to use the registered Aiki-Sambo name. All clubs and dojos inviting him have been warned.

Sensei Otto is not the Style Head of Aiki-Sambo in South Africa. Shihan Terence was awarded Chief Instructor All Africa and Style Head by Hanshi Dr. Karel “Wollie” Wolmarans, Vice-President of Aiki-Sambo South Africa. This is recognized by YAFSA, JKI, AJSA, and the Kodokwan International Association South Africa (KIASA), all established in 1989. Aiki-Sambo South Africa is also recognized by Alien MMA South Africa.

Fun fact: Sensei Terence received international affiliation and Head Instructor status for Aiki-Sambo from Kancho Kenji prior to the 2014 seminar.

Fun fact: Tenchi Dojo is a registered club (number 24207) with YAFSA, JKI, and AJSA since 2000.