Aikido
Traditional Aikido was developed by Master Morihei Ueshiba in Japan. It is an effective discipline for the development, integration and utilisation of all man's powers, both physical and mental (spiritual).
Aikido means method or way (do), harmony (ai) of mental energy or spirit (ki).
The discipline of Aikido has been established in Cyprus for more than a decade. It was first introduced by Sensei Agis Agisilaou, the Chief Instructor of the Martial Arts Academy and now Coach of the National Aikido Team , who has managed with ongoing, extensive campaigns and personal sacrifice to elevate it to its present level.
Sensei Agis Agisilaou has trained extensively in the U.K. and Cyprus with Aikido Master George Stavrou, one of the first students in the U.K. to start traditional Aikido training in the 1960s under the world renowned Japanese Aikido Sensei T.K.Chiba Shihan 8th Dan Aikikai who emigrated to UK. Sensei George Stavrou, the first student of Chiba Sensei, soon became his assistant and helped him establish the first Aikido Dojo in the U.K. He has been instructing Aikido for the last 50 years.
Sensei Agis with Master George in the UK 1999
Master George Stavrou and Sensei Eva Szekerez have visited Cyprus several times as official guests of Sensei Agis Agisilaou and the Martial Arts Academy Committee. Together with Sensei Agisilaou they have taught at International Aikido events and demonstrated Aikido on several occasions on local TV stations.
Sensei Agis with Master George training in Cyprus
Aikido is basically a Japanese art of self defense and is used successfully by the Armed Forces, the Police and other similar services in Japan and in many other countries. Aikido is also very popular among women because it is the most effective method of self defense since it does not require great muscular strength.
