News after the 14th Aikido Summit in Japan

Written on November 4, 2024

A new IAF Board and news for the Senior and Technical Councils

The first female Chairman of the International Aikido Federation, elected at the 14th International Aikido Summit, in Tokyo, Japan

The 14th International Aikido Summit was structured in two parts: the first two days had meetings, debates, forums and elections on the agenda, whereas the next five days had a schedule with Aikido classes conducted by honorable Shihans, the Embukai session given by each country and also by a part of the Shihans and the seminar conducted by Doshu on the last day of the event.

Following the elections on the 1st of October, the new IAF Officials are:

Chairperson: Mrs. Yoko Okamoto
Vice-Chairperson: Mr. Adam Manikowski
General Secretary: Mr. Corrie Human
Treasurer: Mr. Satoshi Kaga
Assistant General Secretary: Mr. Ethan Wisegard

The Directive Committee is composed of:
Mr. Charlie McGinnis, USA
Mr. Fritz Heuscher, Switzerland
Mr. Magnus Burman, Sweden
Mr. Gergo Pasqualetti, Hungary

The Senior Council is composed of:
Tada Hiroshi - Chairman
Ozaki Sho Shihan
Tony Smibert Shihan
Christian Tissier Shihan
Miyamoto Tsuruzo Shihan
Yokota Yoshiaki Shihan
Hayato Osawa Shihan

The Technical Council is composed of:
Sugawara Shigeru Shihan
Kuribayashi Takanori Shihan
Wilko Vriesman Shihan

4 countries became Full Members of the IAF: Canada, Guam, Malaysia and Malta.
11 countries became Associate Members of the IAF: Georgia, Syria, Iraq, Kenya, Samoa, Algeria, Lybia, Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka, Dominican Republic, United Arab Emirates.

The three IAF Forums had fruitful discussions and workshops on topics: Gender Balance, Youth and Business based on Aikido principles.

The number of the GA participants was of 200. 80 countries and regions were represented at the Summit. The Yoyogi Hall was generous with its 1632 square meters for the trainings. There were 16 Aikido classes, an Embukai session, a class by Dojocho, a seminar by Doshu and a Farewell party.

The 15th International Aikido Summit will take place at Tanabe city, the hometown of OSensei, in 2028.

Enjoy the beautiful photos taken during the Summit, published on the main IAF facebook channel: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalAikidoFederation . Photo credit goes to mr. Yassine Afqir for the majority of the pictures.

Also, see the demonstrations of the Shihans during the Embukai session on the IAF Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@Aikido-internationalOrg . Video edit credit goes to mr. Guillaume Erard.