The Star – METRO
25th July 2007
Aikido seminar a MAA regular affair
By NG WEI LOON
Photos by NORAFIFI EHSAN
THE aikido exponents were rolling and tumbling all over the mats as they went through the drills over three days at the eighth Malaysian Aikido Seminar that concluded at the Pusat Komuniti Seri Petaling recently.
And none of them seemed to mind taking repeated falls on the cushioned surface.
They were perfecting their moves under the supervision of Malaysia Aikido Association (MAA) technical advisor Seiichi Sugano.
Sugano guiding two exponents in executing a move.
The seminar conducted by Sugano has always been a regular affair on the MAA’s annual calendar.
Sugano said exponents here were showing good progress in mastering the art over the years and the on-going programmes definitely attracted a bigger turnout and contributed to the development of aikido in Malaysia.
“Participants with proper basic skills went through many drills during the seminar. It is not good enough just to know how to perform the fast steps. It is important that they acquire a better understanding of the movements,” he added.
At the moment, the MAA have 12 centres and about 300 members on their database.
“The seminar is a special event for the top instructors nationwide to experience the comprehensive training system,” MAA honorary general secretary Dr Leong Kok Weng said.
This season, only one trainee went through the black belt grading test on the penultimate day of the seminar.
Meanwhile, a total of 14 exponents who passed their black belt grading last year were awarded their certificates.
The event drew more than 100 participants including foreigners from Australia, Belgium and China.
Beginner Stephanie Feng from China said attending the seminar was a graduation trip for her.
“I have just graduated with a degree from the Shanghai Normal University. I took up aikido with one of the MAA members when I was on my exchange programme stint in Britain in September last year,” said Feng, 23.
In addition, 13-year-old Alice Smith School student Dania Mah was the youngest in the pack.
“I had a great time executing the drills,” said Mah, who has been practising the art for two years.
Besides freehand self-defence manoeuvres, the participants also handled wooden weapons such as stick and those in the shape of knife and sword.
“This is my second outing here. We learned various techniques in an ideal atmosphere during the seminar.
“It is great that we are mingling with friendly locals. We also enjoyed the local food very much,” said Efisio Podda, 55, from Sydney, Australia.
