This 73-year-old Singaporean aikido black belt only started learning in her 60s
The Japanese martial art helped Lily Chan get off osteoporosis medication and massively improved her overall health and mobility
The passion that black belt holder Lily Chan has for teaching aikido at her family’s Singapore school shines through in her classes. She has been training in the Japanese martial art for more than a decade, and is proud to be a part of the “dojo” founded by her oldest son, Shamus, and husband, Patrick.
Aikido was developed by Japanese martial artist Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th century. This modern, non-aggressive and unique form of self-defence focuses on harmony and non-violent conflict resolution. Instead of clashing head-on with an opponent, aikido practitioners use circular movements, joint locks and throws to redirect their opponent’s energy.
Lily throws, rolls and tumbles with such ease that it is hard to believe she is 73. Equally surprising is that for most of her life, she had trouble kneeling and squatting, and struggled with health issues that made even getting out of a chair difficult.
Shamus and Patrick started learning aikido together in 2006. When they set up their own dojo, Aikido Tai Shin Kai, in 2014, they suggested that Lily try it. Then in her sixties, she declined, citing her poor health.
She did accompany her husband to his classes, though, to lay out the training mats for his students, and would watch the sessions from the side of the room. As school enrolment began to grow, she realised that her son and husband needed help teaching the children’s classes. She started learning simple aikido techniques to lend a hand.