We start with sad news as, during the summer, three legendary figures of aikido and budo passed away: Aikido masters Tamura Shihan and Sugano Shihan and legendary judoka Anthon Geesink.
Passing Away of Tamura Shihan (9th of July 2010).At the age of 77, Tamura shihan passed away in France. Tamura Sensei is one of the great legendary uchideshi of O-Sensei who brought Aikido to the world. His influence in propagating and teaching aikido is overwhelming. Aikido has lost a very significant figure. Our heartfelt condolences go out to family and friends of Tamura shihan.
Passing Away of Sugano Shihan (in New York City on August 29th 2010). The following notice has been posted on the Australian Aikikai site announcing his death:
“Sugano Shihan has passed away in New York. He challenged illness with great courage, then passed away peacefully, in the arms of his family. Sensei touched and changed the lives of generations of aikido students around the world. We were privileged to know him.”
Our heartfelt condolences go out to family and friends of Sugano shihan.
Dutch judo Olympic champion Anton Geesink, the first non-Japanese to win a world judo championship, has died at the age of 76. Dutch state broadcaster NOS said Geesink, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member since 1987, died on Friday from a brief illness after spending the past few weeks in hospital. Geesink shocked the Japanese judo establishment by winning a world championship title in 1961, the first non-Japanese to do so, and won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Anton Geesink has a street in Utrecht, The Netherlands, named after him and, there you can find the location of the CABN’s aikido training dojo, the Anton Geesink dojo. A representative of the CABN attended Geesinks funeral in his honour.
The Dutch man, Marcel Reijers, and Bulgarian lady, Silvia Marton, (both ranked 4th dan) have been selected to participate on the 30th and 31st of August together with other Dutch Aikido group representatives at the 2010 World Combat Games in China. From the whole world, only 80 Aikidokas were selected. The new 4-yearly event is taking place this year in Peeking from the 28th of August until the 4th of September. This event was made possible with the influence of the World Games organisation. The 5 Dutch representatives join the group under the supervision of the internationally famous aikido personalities, Tissier Shihan (France) and Yokota Shihan (Japan).
During the combat games, thirteen different martial disciplines (Aikido, Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Kick Boxing, Muay Thai, Sambo, Sumo, Taekwondo, Wrestling and Wushi) will be demonstrated at a high level. The event is competition oriented and has an olympic style medal presentation scheme. This feature, makes the Aikido participation exceptional since it is not a fighting sport and not a competitive sport. Therefore, it has been given a special place in the games as a dynamic and spectacular self-defense art, only for demonstration.
We wish Marcel and Silvia a successful visit to China and safe return home.
In September, Yamashima Sensei, 7th dan Aikikai will be making a north European tour to England, Germany and Holland with the following schedule.
September 4th & 5th: Manchester, England (Internet:http://www.manchesteraikido.com/index.php/news-events)
September 11th & 12th: Bath, England (Internet:http://www.bathaikido.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/courses.html)
September 14th-15th: Düsseldorf, Germany (contact Frank Osthof:frank@aikido-zentrum.net)
September 16th: Bremen, Germany (contact Frank Osthof:frank@aikido-zentrum.net)
September 17th: Lübeck, Germany (contact Frank Osthof:frank@aikido-zentrum.net)
September 18th & 19th: Hamburg, Germany (Internet:http://www.aikido-institut.net/pdf/Yamashima_Hamburg_engl.pdf)
September 20th, 21st & 22nd: The Hague, Amsterdam, Rijswijk and Dordrecht, Holland (Email: p.p.j@het.nl).
In October, the Israeli Aikikai Aikido Organisation hosts for the second time Thailand and East Asia's supervising shihan,Fukakusa shihan, 7th dan Aikikai. The seminar takes place on the 7th to 9th of October. More news about this seminar coming soon. Contact Ze'ev Erlich for more information (helloaikido@yahoo.com).
In November (12 - 14 November 2010), Christian Tissier shihan, 7th dan Aikikai, shall be giving a seminar at the dojo of Serge Beraud in Singapore. Because this seminar is likely to be fully booked, the announcement comes well in advance. Please read the following message from the organisers. Early bird registration is now over. Registration for this seminar after the 1st of September is S$200. Student discount 50% applies. Seminar will take place at The Swiss Club. For more info, registration and payment please followhttp://www.mumeishudan.com/, email info@mumeishudan.comor call (+65) 9112-1193.
.jpg){kind=link}