Aikido senseis here for seminars

Aikido Philippines, Inc. celebrated its 10th year anniversary at the Sports Medicine Building of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Nov. 15-17 with intensive three-day seminars highlighted by an anniversary dinner tonight at the Century Park Hotel.

Three distinguished senseis -- Kazue Otani Shihan, seventh dan from Tokyo; Shizuo Yasue Shihan, sixth dan also from Tokyo; and Mutsuko Minegishi Sensei, chief instructor of aikido in Guam and Saipan — arrived to join Aikido Philippines in commemorating the auspicious event.

Aikido Philippines president Xavier Baylon said that since its inception in 1992, Aikiphil has grown into one of the strongest and most stable aikido organizations in the Philippines. From its original membership of five in 1992, Aikiphil has increased to 15 clubs today.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba, widely known around the world of aikidokas as O’Sensei (Great Teacher). An extraordinary martial artist, Ueshiba transmuted his technical skills into a new martial art — aikido — which is renowned for its refined movements and astonishing powers.