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In
September this year, people from across
the globe gathered in Japan for the
50th All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration.
Australian Aikido was well represented
by Joe Thambu Sensei (Melbourne),
Mori Michiharu Sensei (Brisbane) and
a number of their students.
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In
September this year, people from across
the globe gathered in Japan for the 50th
All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration.
Australian Aikido was well represented by
Joe Thambu Sensei (Melbourne), Mori Michiharu
Sensei (Brisbane) and a number of their
students.
True
to the high standard of martial arts in
Australia, Joe Thambu Sensei was awarded
the Tokubetsu Sho (Special Award) for his
demonstration. Following the day's events,
a number of masters including Yoshinkan
headmaster Inoue Kancho, Takeno Takafumi
Shihan and Chida Tsutomu Shihan were generous
in their praise for Thambu Sensei's dynamic
display of speed and skill.
For
Australian students of Aikido, this was
quite the auspicious event. In the same
year we are celebrating 25 Years of Yoshinkan
Aikido in Australia, 50 Years worldwide,
and one of our own taking out the top award
in Japan. It was also heartening to see
the rekindled camaraderie amongst the various
schools outside Japan.
On
a personal note, I have taken uke for Thambu
Sensei many times, and as is his way, always
without any kind of rehearsal. Whilst neither
my fellow uke Shun Okamoto of Japan nor
I could get the better of Sensei, we were
both very proud day to have shared this
moment in Aikido history.
by P.A. Chapman
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