DAVID MEE

In 1975, a friend of mine joined a junior Aikido class held ad Judokwai dojo in Leicester. At the age of thirteen, I had no intention of taking up a martial art, but I was given the opportunity to go along with him as his father had a spare place in his car!

After a few weeks I bought my first Gi. As soon as I wore it I felt part of something special and it was not long before I was hooked. After a few years I progressed to the senior class under the instruction of Sensei Peter Brown.

My training continued (on and off) until I was 25. By this time I had achieved 3rd Kyu. It was around this time that Kyu Shin Kan was going through a transitional period, Sensei Peter Brown had been travelling to Birmingham to take instruction from Sensei William Smith and the club was soon to join the UKA.

I always intended to return to Aikido training and finally did so in November 1999. I thought that would pick up where I had left off - how wrong could I be! The Aikido practiced was more dynamic and the major emphasis was on body movement rather than technique. 12 years of little exercise had also taken its toll.

Since returning, I have been practicing regularly and was awarded Shodan at Winter school in March 2007. I am proud to wear my Hakama and still feel part of something special.

ADRIAN MUNTEANU

4th Dan

DAWN SHERRINGHAM

2nd Dan

JASON HUNT

2nd Dan

RICHARD MELODY

2nd Dan

GERALD TUCKWOOD

2nd Dan

STEVE ROBERTS

Shodan