Alia Nicholls first started training at Aikido Shudokan in 1983 at the age of 6. She worked her way through the children’s classes and transitioned into the adults classes.

 

Alia graded for her Shodan in 1993 and then for her Nidan in 1995. From 2001 to 2003, she was a full-time uchideshi at The Shudokan, teaching both adults’ and children’s classes whilst continuing her intensive training. In 2003, Alia tested for her Sandan and, shortly after, moved overseas. Eight years later, she returned to Melbourne with her two children and resumed training at the Shudokan. Alia tested for her Yondan in 2015 and her Godan in 2024.

 

Alia works as a classroom teacher at a special school in the Western suburbs.