Combat Kempo

One of the very first Martial Arts fighters that taught a method of combat that was equally as effective on the street or in the dojo. A fighter of awesome power, Shihan Tom Slaven was truly one of Australia's first martial arts powerhouses of combat and innovator of early traditional martial arts. His focus was firmly on technique that would work under extreme duress. In his job as a security company owner in the rough areas of Sydney's western suburbs his skills would be put to the test on many occasions in what were sometimes life and death confrontations.

Shihan Tom has left a legacy of many of his former students that still train and teach, passing on the lessons learnt from Tom to a new generation of martial artists. Many of Tom's students remain within the systems that Tom founded, and some former students have gone their own way creating a number of new martial art systems, still teaching the philosophies and skills that were passed on to them by Tom Slaven. It is fitting that Combat Kempo acknowledges Tom's influence in their current practices. Below is a dedication written by Sensei Graeme Sneddon of Budo Kenkyuka. Graeme was one of Tom's long time students and instructors and is a great friend of Combat Kempo.

This page has been added in respect of my former teacher and friend, Tom Slaven Shihan Kyoshi (1940 - 1993).

Born in Haddington (near Edinburgh), Scotland, Tom's first introduction to Martial Arts came in 1945 when his Uncle (fresh from active service) taught him the use of the Elbow at close range. As a youth he excelled at Gymnastics and competitive Wrestling (Catch-As-Catch-Can), although he chose to end this pursuit as the techniques he came to favour had recently been banned as they were deemed too dangerous.

Shortly following his immigration to Sydney Australia in 1960, Tom took up the advice of new friend Ron Jennings and began the study of a relatively obscure art named Nippon Kempo. This was followed in 1966 with practice under Neil Atkinson in the powerful system of Kyokushin Karate, in which he obtained the certified rank of Shodan in 1969.

Having an alternative outlook on actual combat to that of Kyokushin, Tom sought to combine aspects of his formal training with "in the field" research and founded Kempo Karate Do. This was a system that would discard the traditional methods of practice in favour of more realistic methods of combat. An art that is today survived and taught by Tom's first graded Black Belt, Sensei Steve McHugh. Long before the phrases Mixed Martial Arts or Reality Based Training had been coined, Tom was going against the grain of the traditional schools by cross training and constantly redefining his art. Notably, Tom's quest for self-improvement earnt him a place in the history books when in 1975 at North Rocks, NSW he broke 4, 368 concrete blocks in one hour.

The seventies was a difficult decade for Tom as he suffered several personal tragedies. He continued on in the martial arts where many would have crumbled and in 1978 joined forces with Zen Do Kai legend Bob Jones. Lasting merely three years, this alignment saw Tom gather a wealth of experience that transcended into his already successful security company (Prospect Security Services). Charged with the protection of many prominent political and entertainment personalities such as Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac & Gough Whitham, he was in 1983 bestowed with the honour of providing additional protection to HRH Prince Charles & Lady Diana Spencer on their visit to Canberra.

Like all true artists, Tom recalled a life checkered with joy and pain to produce a martial arts masterpiece like no other. Believing Tameshiwari to be the perfect fusion of mind & body into a single technique, on April 15th 1983 at Woden, ACT Tom crushed 2040lbs of Ice with a single Elbow strike. A feat yet to be equaled.

Founding Zen Chi Ryu was to be the final chapter in the martial arts life of Tom Slaven. His life's work is best respected and complimented by the many varied Instructors who have studied under him and continue his principles in their chosen art. He was a formidable man with an extraordinary mind who found martial arts to be the perfect vehicle to match his aggressive, extremist personality.

Graeme Sneddon.
08/04/2008