Cpl Sidney Morheu, NZ Army, is taught the skills and techniques of Aikido by Sgt Grant McGuinness, 145 Sig Sqn. Both soldiers are currently serving with the Peace Monitoring Group in Bougainville. Photo by Cpl Jason Weeding, 1JPAU(P)

From Cpl Alisha Carr in Bougainville
KNOWLEDGE of martial arts is a fine skill to teach in any location and Bougainville is no exception.

Sgt Grant McGuinness, a member of 145 Sig Sqn at Holsworthy and currently serving with the Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) in Loloho, recently began teaching Aikido to fellow members.

“I have been practising Aikido for many years and when I moved to Bendigo a few years ago there were no instructors – that’s how I got into teaching,” he said.

“Aikido was developed just after WW2 about the same time as Judo – they are very similar but very different at the same time. Judo is push-pull while Aikido is turn-enter.”

He said the philosophy behind Aikido was to use the aggressor’s energy against him or her.

“If I’m using any more than four pounds of pressure I’m doing something wrong – other forms of martial arts use the same philosophy.

“The way Aikido differs is that if you are the victim of an unprovoked attack, you teach the aggressor a lesson – you don’t annihilate them. The aim is to immobilise the aggressor, not kill them.”

Sgt McGuiness, who has been in the Army for 23 years, said he began taking lessons in Bougainville for a number of reasons.

“I like to keep fit, mentally and physically, and it also offers the PMG members something different to keep themselves occupied while they are not working. Also, if I don’t continue training on a regular basis, my skill level will start to drop off.

“The good thing about teaching is that it clarifies my thoughts about how the techniques of Aikido work. When I have to vocalise the process and demonstrate the movements, it helps me to totally understand the concept.”

Sgt McGuiness said he also teaches the sport at Holsworthy Barracks when he is not deployed.

“Aikido is all about mental and physical strength – flexibility is the key.”

.