Master Riondet for Aikido seminar

French Aikido master Jean Francois Riondet will be in Malta this weekend to conduct an international seminar based on his Buikukan-Provence Aikido School.

All activities are being organised by the school’s Maltese branch, the Bu-Iku-Kan Yamato Club which is located at the Maria Assumpta School in Ħamrun.

The seminar, starting tomorrow, has attracted over 20 senior Aikidoka from France and Italy who will be travelling for the purpose. They will be joined by Yamato Dojo’s Malta-based students from Russia, Serbia, France, Tunisia and Spain.

The seminar will also see the participation of Aikido master Renato Tamburelli from the Aiko School in Italy.

Master Tamburelli and his school were instrumental in the setting up of the Yamato Club.

Of particular interest to the club’s female Aikidoka will be a Japanese woman instructor who will be assisting on the mat.

Master Riondet Shihan has an impressive pedigree after introducing Aikido in his country in 1985.

He founded the Buikukan Aikido School in Provence and it now has branches in Aix-en-Provence, La Ciotat, Gardanne and Marseille. The Malta dojo is the first Buikukan-Provence club outside France.

Aikido is a martial art based on ancient Japanese Samurai tradition. It focuses primarily on the study of natural body movements, a supple approach to physical techniques and the development of a harmonious, co-operative spirit.

The seminar is open to all practising Aikidoka. One may obtain more details from www.aikidomalta.net or by phoning 9989-9733.