EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: Please register BY 28TH JUNE 2018 to get discounts for the seminar. Your registration is not confirmed until payment is received. If you didn’t get a confirmation on payment receipt, please email Gary (email listed in the registration form) as soon as possible and we will sort it out.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: Please register early to get discounts for this seminar! Your registration is not confirmed until payment is received. If you didn’t get a confirmation on payment receipt, please email the admin(contact in registration link) as soon as possible and we will sort it out as soon as we can.
It has been a hectic year for the Association as we worked to map the future direction of the organization after the passing of our Technical Director, Seiichi Sugano Shihan. After many weeks of careful deliberation, we have decided to seek Hombu assistance as well as continue on with Sugano Shihan’s aikido legacy with the help and cooperation of Sugano Shihan Aikido Foundation of Australia.
Sugano Shihan’s Commemorative School The MAA was represented by 3 members of the Committee (Tony Yap Sensei, Dr Leong Sensei and Raja Sazita) and a member (Dr Rayney Azmi) at the Sugano Shihan’s Commemorative School in Melbourne from 10th to 16th January 2011. It was a gathering of individuals, groups and organizations who had, and still have, a strong connection to Seiichi Sugano Shihan. It was dubbed a Celebration of a Life and a Legacy. The Seminar was headed by renowned chief of New York Aikikai and founder of US Aikido Federation, Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan (8th Dan).
Ikuhiro Kubota Seminar This took place at the Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Resort (Poolside Terrace) from 11th to 13th March 2011. Despite the poor attendance, Kubota Shihan continued to reward us with his very circular and flowing aikido. Time and again, he stressed on good ashi sabaki, correct eye directions and a good posture.
Aikido Seminar in Bali This took place from 4th to 8th June 2011. Tan Chew Boon who had been working and training in Japan, and recently returned to Kuala Lumpur, was invited to join the above Seminar which was organized by the Samurai Dojo in Bali. Upon his urging, Low Sensei and Dr Leong Sensei joined Chew Boon at the Seminar which was conducted by Shoji Seki Shihan from Hombu Dojo.
TTC Weekend Seminar This was held at the Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Resort (Poolside Terrace) from 23rd to 24th April 2011. George Lo Sensei (6th Dan) was invited and his flight from and to Sydney paid for by the MAA to come and assist the Technical and Teaching Committee (TTC) in its teaching responsibilities.
Annual Aikido Camp After a hiatus of about 5 years, the Annual Camp was resurrected. This time it was organized by the MMU Cyberjaya Aikido Club from 18th to 19th June 2011. It was held at Seri Malaysia Hotel in Port Dickson and was very well organized. Our senior Instructors taught at the Seminar and the highlight of the Camp was the bokken practice by the seaside before dawn. The National Kyu Examination was held in conjunction with the Camp for the very first time.
12th Malaysian Aikido Seminar This was held at the Kompleks Rakan Muda Puchong from 1st to 3rd July 2011. The response was good considering that this was the first time that Sugano Shihan did not instruct at the Seminar. And Tony Smibert Shihan did not disappoint, taking us through many of the techniques that Sensei himself would have done. No yudansha examination was conducted at the Seminar this year.
Hironobu Yamada Shihan Seminar This was held at the Sports Arena at Wisma Olympic, Jalan Hang Jebat in Kuala Lumpur. The Seminar took place from 14th to 16th October 2001. A group of Singaporeans came from across the Causeway to join us in learning from this very experienced teacher.
Remembering Seiichi Sugano Shihan (1939 – 2010) This was held at the HQ Dojo in Jalan Scott on 28th August 2011, a day before his actual day of passing. The simple yet meaningful gathering was held to mark the first Anniversary of his departure.
We were delighted to be asked to participate in Astro Arena’s Aktifpedia programme, introducing Aikido to the Malaysian public via the television.
I have not done my writings for a long time. Perhaps the beginning of this year is a good time to start. First of all, I want to highlight 3 important events for this year. They are:
Hombu Shihan visit
Annual Malaysia Aikido Seminar
International Aikido Federation Seminar
Hombu Shihan visit
Following the passing of our teacher Seiichi Sugano Shihan, the MAA has turned to Hombu for assistance in conducting Seminars and yudansha examinations. This year we are proud to have Shoji SEKI Shihan visit us. The dates are 23rd to 25th March 2012. Seki Shihan is well known to us senior instructors and we are delighted that he has kindly accepted our invitation. As this is the top event for the year, do mark your calendar to participate in this Seminar.
13th Malaysia Aikido Seminar
After 10 years of learning from Seiichi Sugano Shihan, we are determined to preserve the legacy of Sugano Shihan’s aikido. And thus, we continue our annual July Seminars with the assistance of the shihans from the Sugano Aikido Foundation in Australia. This July, we are very excited to have Robert Botteril Shihan. I remembered that he last came with Sugano Sensei more than 10 years ago and I missed many of his wonderful classes as I had to attend to Sensei. I now look forward to welcoming him in July.
11th International Aikido Federation Seminar
The above Seminar will take place in conjunction with the IAF Congress which is scheduled to be held in Yoyogi from 17th to 24th September 2012. This Seminar happens only once in 4 years and sessions are instructed by the top shihans in Japan and the rest of the world. Aikidokas from all over the globe will gather and train together in the spirit of love and harmony that the Founder propounded. As far as I am aware, more than 25 members from the MAA had already purchased their flight tickets to attend the Seminar. It is not too late to plan your leave and join in the largest overseas delegation that the MAA has sent to any Seminar! A meeting to discuss the programme and tours will be held as soon as more details of the Seminar are forth-coming.
Locally, we will continue to run the Annual Camp (revived last year after a hiatus of 3 years) and the annual Inter-varsity Aikido Seminar.
In view of the busy calendar, we sought the kind understanding of Ikuhiro Kubota Shihan and Hironobu Yamada Shihan to postpone their visits for this year. Fortunately, they were sympathetic to our problem and agreeable to come again in the near future upon our invitation.
As a responsible government recognized Aikikai Aikido organization in Malaysia, it is our job to promote the martial art to more Malaysians and maintain the high level of competence that Sugano Shihan had imparted to us. I urge all members to commit time to regular practice, attend all Seminars and events, and to assist the Association in the expansion and development of Aikido in Malaysia.
It’s been a while since I updated this column. Well, I am happy to report that things have been going on smoothly and well. The MAA is consolidating and moving ahead!
This weekend we will get to see Hanan Janiv Shihan(6th Dan) of Australia Aikikai. This is his maiden trip to Malaysia and we wish him a pleasant stay here. Sugano Shihan had earlier planned not to come this year because of his busy schedule. Unfortunately also, recently he has taken ill and we wish him a speedy recovery.
The 11th Malaysia Aikido Seminar is the highlight of MAA activities for the year and I strongly urge all members to join. I am sure Hanan Shihan will be more than happy share his dedicated and wide experience doing Aikido under Sugano Sensei’s guidance.
Attached please find the approved Report of the Management Committee 2009 for your information and reflection.
The MAA will represent Malaysia at the above Celebration and Country Demonstrations. A great exposure (one 9th Dan shihan and more than ten 7th Dan shihans) and a lot of fun is in store. This is a last call for more members to join the 4-member delegation. Please contact Dr Leong Sensei as soon as possible.
The MAA intends to publish a Newsletter twice a year, in the months of April and September. The Executive Committee has approved the appointment of Simon Pollock as the Editor. Invitations are open for members to join the Editorial Committee. Please write in to contact[@]aikido-maa[dot]com to volunteer your services. Members may also submit articles for the Newsletter at the same email address.
