Photos & Results: Bermuda Aikikai Event
Last Saturday [June 18] at the Bermuda Aikikai, over 20 kids took part in testing for new belts and awards. Young people from 5-year-olds to teenagers all took part in the same event led by Kids Senior Instructor Eugene O’Connor [4th Dan blackbelt]. With a smile on each and every face and determination in front of Chief instructor Collins Smith Shidoin [6th Dan Blackbelt] and their parents, the kids made everyone proud and put on a great effort to show what they had learned that term.
Slideshow below courtesy of John Manderson:
Kids Classes have been a part of Aikido in Bermuda for over 25 years. Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei) in the early 20th century. As the physical practice of philosophical principles developed by O-Sensei, Aikido strives for the ultimate goal of peaceful resolution rather than defeat.
Aikido is not a sport and hence there are no competitive tournaments. Rather, by cooperative training, the Aikidoist betters oneself without belittling others, without the intention of harm or fear of injury. As traditional Japanese budo, Aikido maintains the qualities of martial spirit, effective technique and intense training. This, coupled with the premise of mutual respect and caring, and the important balance between attacker and defender, encourages the spirit of O-Sensei’s desire for universal peace.
Results of the testing below, click ‘Fullscreen’ on bottom for greater clarity:
