Instructor Tommy Thomson

I started Jujitsu in 1973 where I trained under Wikus Otto the instructor at the Sunnyside Jujitsu Club. When I received my Shodan I opened a club in Kilner Park, Pretoria. I ran two clubs, one in Kilner Park and the other in Garsfontein, Pretoria. I instructed at the Kilner Park club until I handed it over to my student Michael Nel, who still instructs there. The Garsfontein club has been taken over by my son Jonathan. I am currently Shichidan (7th Dan).

I have been very involved in the management of various Jujitsu organisations since 1973. I am a founder member of the South African Jujitsu Federation (SAJJF) and was chairperson from 1991 until 2004. I am a member of the Gauteng North Jujitsu Council (GNJJC) and the South African Sport Jujitsu Authority (SASJJA).

In 1992 I was part of the team to take part in the International Sport Jujitsu Association (ISJA) tournament in Argentina where I received national colours. My proudest moment was in 2002 when my whole family represented our country at the International Sport Jujitsu Association's tournament took place in South Africa. I was Senior team Coach, Jeanetta my wife was Senior team manager, Neil my son was Junior team coach, Jonathan my other son fought in under 63 kg in the team and Jeanine my daughter fought in the junior team. This event was organised by the SASJJA. In 2006 Jeanetta, Jeanine and I where part of a team that went to Argentina for the ISJA championships.