ELITE MEMBERS OF THE
PIONEERS AND LEGENDS MARTIAL ARTS SOCIETY HALL OF FAME

PLIMSHOF Inductee #15
Soke Thomas Burdine

Soke Thomas Burdine is a former top instructor of Aiki forms for the Juko Ryu International Martial ArtsAssociation.  Soke Burdine has trained and demonstrated nationally and internationally, and has worked with many esteemed Martial Arts Masters, such as Kenji Tomiki, Ed Parker, Aaron Banks, and Prof. Frank DeFelice. In addition to his recognition as an Aikido Grand Master, Soke Burdine also holds high black belt ranks in Judo, Ju Jitsu, Karate, and Tai Jutsu, as well as in other various Japanese, Chinese, and Okinawa disciplines.

In 1983, Soke Burdine retired from a twenty-one year career with the Lafayette City Police Department. During this time he gained expertise in riot control, was a juvenile detective for one year and received periphery law enforcement training in the United States of America and in England. Prior to his Law Enforcement employment, Soke Burdine served four years in the United States Navy.

Soke Burdine, in addition to his recognition as an Aikido Grand Master, is also the head of his own Aikido System (Kokon Ryu Aikido/Aiki Jutsu), and he is the head of the family Kokon Ryu BuJutsu Renmei International. He is also the developer of the Burdine Aikido System Law Enforcement Control, a unique marital arts training system for law enforcement personnel.