Master Instructor of the Federation.
Member of Board of Master Instructors, Federation Registrar.
Shihan Leonard Montagnana, 6th Dan Master Teacher
Shihan Leonard Montagnana
Shihan Len started training in martial arts at Macleod YMCA Judo & Jiu Jitsu, having joined in 1986 at just seven years old. He trained under Kancho Barry Bradshaw and Kaicho Adam Bradshaw, remaining their dedicated student and assistant until their passing in 2010 and 2020, respectively.
Shihan Len was awarded a Shodan in Judo in 1996 before the age of 18 – the first junior black belt in nearly 20 years after Kaicho Adam. And throughout his many years in the Federation, he has consistently been recognised for his potential as an instructor and commitment as a member of the community.
In both 1993 and 1995, he received the prestigious Instructors Award for his compassion, respect, sincerity, truthfulness, honour, loyalty, initiative and leadership. From 1998 onwards, he was also personally selected to help Kancho Barry deliver seminars and workshops nationally.
Shihan Len is known to have been a prolific competitor from 1992 to 2001, winning U13, Y15, U18, Open, Men’s U35 and Senior Grade Federation titles in both Judo and Jiu Jitsu.
In his last year of competing, he won all five of the Open Division competitions, and in a brief return from retirement in 2010, he won the inaugural Kancho Barry Bradshaw’s Masters Competition that honoured the Federation’s founder.
In 2002, Shihan Len was appointed to the Federation’s Board of Examiners, assuming responsibility for the integrity and grading of the organisation and ongoing development of its members through syllabus refinements. Upon receiving the title of Renshi in 2011, he was also entrusted the role of Lead Instructor at the Federation’s Honbu (headquarters) alongside Kyoshi Chris Bailey and Shihan Jay Icasiano.
Together, they carry out the principal responsibility of sustaining the Federation’s continuation while upholding Kancho’s guiding principle of ‘Jinkaku Kansei ni Tsutomeru’ – to strive for the completion and refinement of one’s human character.
In addition to being an instructor, his ongoing presence as an active student reinforces that leadership is grounded in practice, fostering a culture where students are guided not only by instruction, but by consistent example, shared effort and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Positions Held and Achievements:
- Member, Board of Master Instructors
- Principal Instructor of Ageru Tatsu Do Ryu, the Federation Honbu (Headquarters) (current)
- Registrar, Federation Executive Committee (current)
- Head of Federation Marketing (current)
- Lead Instructor, Bradshaw Academy of Martial Arts & Federation Honbu (1999-2018)
- Principal Instructor of Heidelberg YMCA Judo & Jiujitsu / Igen Chikara Ryu (1997-2004)
- General Secretary, Federation Executive Committee (2018 to 2022)
- Winner of the inaugural 2010 Kancho Barry Bradshaw’s Masters Competition
- Assisted, designed and led 60+ seminars and masterclasses since 1996
- Grew Federation membership from 38 students to 250+ by the end of 2025
- Expanded the Federation’s presence from four academics to 10
- Grew Yudansha (black belts) from 14 to 27
- Transitioned the Federation to a formalised not-for-profit association, with all revenue reinvested into student development
- Plays an active role in the Federation’s external engagement with the wider martial arts community – consisting of collaborations with other organisations and knowledge sharing
“Martial arts and the people I have met through this journey have been among the most influential forces in my life. To give back and contribute to others in the same way is the enduring purpose of my training and instruction.”
Find a Martial Arts school near you...
Bayswater
Class held
Tuesday
6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo
(18yo+ beginners+)
7:15 pm – 8:45 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo
(18yo+ 6th Kyu+)
Box Hill South
Classes held
Monday:
7:30 pm – 9 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo
(Teenager - Adult)
Wednesday:
6 pm – 7 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo
(6-12 year olds)
7 pm – 8 pm
Kung Fu
(Teenager - Adult)
8 pm – 9:30 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo
(Teenager - Adult)
Saturday:
11 am – 12:30 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo
(6-12 year olds)
2 pm– 3:30 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo
(Teenager - Adult)
Camberwell
Class held
Sunday
10:00 am – 11:30am
Kung Fu
(Teenager - Adult)
Caulfield
Monash University (Caulfield)
Class held
Wednesday: 7:30 – 9:15 pm
Monash Sport Caulfield -
Group Fitness Studio
JiuJitsu & Judo
(Teenager - Adult)
Clayton
Monash University (Clayton)
Classes held
Monday: 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Monash Sport Clayton -
Multi-Purpose Room
JiuJitsu & Judo
(16+ to Adult)
Heidelberg
Class held
Monday:
6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo
(6-12 year old)
7:15 pm – 8:45 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo
(Teenager to Adult)
Viewbank
Class held
Friday: 6pm-7pm
Kung Fu
(Teenager - Adult)
Sundays: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo - Adults & Teenagers 13+
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Open mat for class participants
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
JiuJitsu & Judo - 9 to 12 year olds
Viewbank Primary
Class held
Wednesday: 1 pm – 1:50 pm JiuJitsu & Judo
for Viewbank Primary Students Only