Richard Smaridge

Yondan (4th Dan) with the International Aikido Federation, awarded by Christian Tissier Sensei in 2008.

Started aikido in 1979 in Brighton with the Institute of Aikido. Then started intensive training under Danny Gunn (private student of Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei) in 1981. From then on studied under Kanetsuka Sensei in the UK, and began making regular trips to Paris to train with Christian Tissier Sensei around 1983.

Awarded Shodan (1st Dan) in 1986 by Kanetsuka Sensei, Nidan (2nd Dan) in 1989 by Kanetsuka Sensei, Sandan (3rd Dan) in 1998 by Tissier Sensei, and Yondan in 2008.

Have trained with many of the leading Shihan; Chiba Sensei, Tamura Sensei, Yamada Sensei, but have been particularly attracted by the approach of Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei, Seichiro Endo Sensei, Masatoshi Yasuno Sensei and the Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba.

Went to Japan in 2005 to train at the Hombu Dojo and was inspired by the approach of so many different sensei teaching in the same location without criticising each other, allowing each person to train with them and practise and develop their own approach.