False Sense Of SecurityWorking my usual weekend gig as a bouncer in a night club an attractive blond approaches me and asks if I can walk her though the club because 15 minutes before a male grabbed her arm a told her that she had to dance with him. She refused and pulled away; the male grabbed her harder then pulling her to the dance floor, lucky for her another bouncer spotted this and took care of her problem. I decide to give her my business card TACT SELF DEFENSE it reads, she tells me that she as a brown belt in the martial arts but everything she’s learned, she couldn’t remember and just blanked out. I tell her that this is normal, it is the effects of adrenaline. Most self defense programs do not think about these effects when training some one that is why 95% of self defense programs do not work and will get you hurt or killed. I proceed to tell her most of my clients are martial artists or had some type of self-defense training in the past, she nods in agreement, understanding what I mean. The next day she gives me a call for self-defense training. That is a very high percentage and considering many people still believe in these systems, thinking they are effective, this also includes “reality based systems” or “no holds barred” people need to be educated. It is amazing what is being taught out there in self defense schools, joint locks, cross legged arm bars which require you to go on the ground. I have seen self defense instructors teach students to kick to the head or grapple with an attacker, step here, turn this way, twist his wrist that way. Bottom line to many movements to remember, which are to complicated to work for ANYONE in a high stress situation of a violent street attack. You are being lied to, ripped off of your hard-earned money and given a false sense of security. What is being taught is to complicated to even work for a seasoned martial artist. It’s like going to culinary school and your instructor has never cooked or even turned on an oven before, how is he supposed to know how to make the meal, let alone teach you. Unfortunately people who have trained in these self-defense programs learn in horror after being assaulted the hard truth. Most self-defense instructors also do not understand the effects of adrenaline and how it affects the mind, or motor skill performance. Top it off most instructors have not even been in a violent street confrontation so how would they know what to do? Many systems use joint locks and pressure points that require years of training to properly execute. Some techniques even when applied properly to someone who has an unusual amount of joint flexibility or high pain tolerance such as someone high on drugs will not work. A lot of self defense techniques also have to be altered to work if environments change such as being in a small space or if there is snow on the ground causing slippery conditions. Think someone is going to remember all that while they are being attacked. I don’t think so. Here are some tips on finding a realistic self defense program  Pick an instructor who is average or small in build they will focus on leverage techniques not on there strength, that is important if you are small or a woman.  Make sure you check your instructor’s credentials, ask to see his black belt certificate it will state what federation he is under and when he got it. If the instructor says he doesn’t have one than he’s a fake. There are a lot of people who will watch self defense instructional tapes or train in the martial arts get an orange belt and start up a school. Anyone can go to a store a buy a black belt.  Do you wear loose clothing and are barefoot when you train and wear protective gear? Conditions completely different from the streets. If you answered yes find a new self-defense program. Training should be as real as possible or be condition stimulus training. While training wear clothing that you wear when you go out, not gym pants, this includes shoes or boots. This will give you a realistic feel on how to move.  Do you train under situation specific scenarios, do they have to change if your attacker does something different or if he does this than do that? And then you ask what if he does this question making everything to hard to remember and confusing  Do methods consider every type of enviroment? Street, bus, rain, living room in confined spaces.  Can you perform these techniques even if you are injured?  Do these self defense methods require constant practice and you have to separate techniques for empty hand, weapons or multiple attackers. Bottom line techniques should be quick and easy to remember.  Training should be focused equally in physical techniques and mindset conditioning. How you train is how you will respond in the real world, training should be as real as possible so you can get out alive.Working my usual weekend gig as a bouncer in a night club an attractive blond approaches me and asks if I can walk her though the club because 15 minutes before a male grabbed her arm a told her that she had to dance with him. She refused and pulled away; the male grabbed her harder then pulling her to the dance floor, lucky for her another bouncer spotted this and took care of her problem. I decide to give her my business card TACT SELF DEFENSE it reads, she tells me that she as a brown belt in the martial arts but everything she’s learned, she couldn’t remember and just blanked out. I tell her that this is normal, it is the effects of adrenaline. Most self defense programs do not think about these effects when training some one that is why 95% of self defense programs do not work and will get you hurt or killed. I proceed to tell her most of my clients are martial artists or had some type of self-defense training in the past, she nods in agreement, understanding what I mean. The next day she gives me a call for self-defense training. That is a very high percentage and considering many people still believe in these systems, thinking they are effective, this also includes “reality based systems” or “no holds barred” people need to be educated. It is amazing what is being taught out there in self defense schools, joint locks, cross legged arm bars which require you to go on the ground. I have seen self defense instructors teach students to kick to the head or grapple with an attacker, step here, turn this way, twist his wrist that way. Bottom line to many movements to remember, which are to complicated to work for ANYONE in a high stress situation of a violent street attack. You are being lied to, ripped off of your hard-earned money and given a false sense of security. What is being taught is to complicated to even work for a seasoned martial artist. It’s like going to culinary school and your instructor has never cooked or even turned on an oven before, how is he supposed to know how to make the meal, let alone teach you. Unfortunately people who have trained in these self-defense programs learn in horror after being assaulted the hard truth. Most self-defense instructors also do not understand the effects of adrenaline and how it affects the mind, or motor skill performance. Top it off most instructors have not even been in a violent street confrontation so how would they know what to do? Many systems use joint locks and pressure points that require years of training to properly execute. Some techniques even when applied properly to someone who has an unusual amount of joint flexibility or high pain tolerance such as someone high on drugs will not work. A lot of self defense techniques also have to be altered to work if environments change such as being in a small space or if there is snow on the ground causing slippery conditions. Think someone is going to remember all that while they are being attacked. I don’t think so. Here are some tips on finding a realistic self defense program  Pick an instructor who is average or small in build they will focus on leverage techniques not on there strength, that is important if you are small or a woman.  Make sure you check your instructor’s credentials, ask to see his black belt certificate it will state what federation he is under and when he got it. If the instructor says he doesn’t have one than he’s a fake. There are a lot of people who will watch self defense instructional tapes or train in the martial arts get an orange belt and start up a school. Anyone can go to a store a buy a black belt.  Do you wear loose clothing and are barefoot when you train and wear protective gear? Conditions completely different from the streets. If you answered yes find a new self-defense program. Training should be as real as possible or be condition stimulus training. While training wear clothing that you wear when you go out, not gym pants, this includes shoes or boots. This will give you a realistic feel on how to move.  Do you train under situation specific scenarios, do they have to change if your attacker does something different or if he does this than do that? And then you ask what if he does this question making everything to hard to remember and confusing  Do methods consider every type of enviroment? Street, bus, rain, living room in confined spaces.  Can you perform these techniques even if you are injured?  Do these self defense methods require constant practice and you have to separate techniques for empty hand, weapons or multiple attackers. Bottom line techniques should be quick and easy to remember.  Training should be focused equally in physical techniques and mindset conditioning. How you train is how you will respond in the real world, training should be as real as possible so you can get out alive.

Working my usual weekend gig as a bouncer in a night club an attractive blond approaches me and asks if I can walk her though the club because 15 minutes before a male grabbed her arm a told her that she had to dance with him. She refused and pulled away; the male grabbed her harder then pulling her to the dance floor, lucky for her another bouncer spotted this and took care of her problem. I decide to give her my business card TACT SELF DEFENSE it reads, she tells me that she as a brown belt in the martial arts but everything she’s learned, she couldn’t remember and just blanked out. I tell her that this is normal, it is the effects of adrenaline. Most self defense programs do not think about these effects when training some one that is why 95% of self defense programs do not work and will get you hurt or killed. I proceed to tell her most of my clients are martial artists or had some type of self-defense training in the past, she nods in agreement, understanding what I mean. The next day she gives me a call for self-defense training. That is a very high percentage and considering many people still believe in these systems, thinking they are effective, this also includes “reality based systems” or “no holds barred” people need to be educated. It is amazing what is being taught out there in self defense schools, joint locks, cross legged arm bars which require you to go on the ground. I have seen self defense instructors teach students to kick to the head or grapple with an attacker, step here, turn this way, twist his wrist that way. Bottom line to many movements to remember, which are to complicated to work for ANYONE in a high stress situation of a violent street attack. You are being lied to, ripped off of your hard-earned money and given a false sense of security. What is being taught is to complicated to even work for a seasoned martial artist. It’s like going to culinary school and your instructor has never cooked or even turned on an oven before, how is he supposed to know how to make the meal, let alone teach you. Unfortunately people who have trained in these self-defense programs learn in horror after being assaulted the hard truth. Most self-defense instructors also do not understand the effects of adrenaline and how it affects the mind, or motor skill performance. Top it off most instructors have not even been in a violent street confrontation so how would they know what to do? Many systems use joint locks and pressure points that require years of training to properly execute. Some techniques even when applied properly to someone who has an unusual amount of joint flexibility or high pain tolerance such as someone high on drugs will not work. A lot of self defense techniques also have to be altered to work if environments change such as being in a small space or if there is snow on the ground causing slippery conditions. Think someone is going to remember all that while they are being attacked. I don’t think so. Here are some tips on finding a realistic self defense program  Pick an instructor who is average or small in build they will focus on leverage techniques not on there strength, that is important if you are small or a woman.  Make sure you check your instructor’s credentials, ask to see his black belt certificate it will state what federation he is under and when he got it. If the instructor says he doesn’t have one than he’s a fake. There are a lot of people who will watch self defense instructional tapes or train in the martial arts get an orange belt and start up a school. Anyone can go to a store a buy a black belt.  Do you wear loose clothing and are barefoot when you train and wear protective gear? Conditions completely different from the streets. If you answered yes find a new self-defense program. Training should be as real as possible or be condition stimulus training. While training wear clothing that you wear when you go out, not gym pants, this includes shoes or boots. This will give you a realistic feel on how to move.  Do you train under situation specific scenarios, do they have to change if your attacker does something different or if he does this than do that? And then you ask what if he does this question making everything to hard to remember and confusing  Do methods consider every type of enviroment? Street, bus, rain, living room in confined spaces.  Can you perform these techniques even if you are injured?  Do these self defense methods require constant practice and you have to separate techniques for empty hand, weapons or multiple attackers. Bottom line techniques should be quick and easy to remember.  Training should be focused equally in physical techniques and mindset conditioning. How you train is how you will respond in the real world, training should be as real as possible so you can get out alive.

Everything You Need To Know About Judo Uniforms

Since it was created in 1882 by Kano Jigoro of Japan, Judo has become one of the most popular martial arts in the world. It is quite a rigorous and physically demanding sport, appearing in several major international sports competitions. As a result, when partaking in judo training, it is important that a high quality judo uniform, or gi in Japanese, be worn to avoid tearing and damage.

Judo uniforms are generally constructed out of 100% cotton, bleached white. Cotton is the best choice for breathability. Care should be taken when laundering, as most judo uniforms are not pre-shrunken and will shrink up to a full size from excess heat. Therefore, washing in cool water and air drying is highly recommended to avoid shrinkage.  

There are three pieces to the judo uniform: the jacket, the belt, and the pants. The jacket is quilted with a thick pliable collar and wide sleeves. Two short splits are on either side of the hip, which are reinforced with extra cloth. The jacket is secured with a belt, coloured according to level, wrapped tightly around the body and knotted. The pants feature an elasticized drawstring waist with wide legs to allow for movement. In areas where there may be a lot of friction or stress from pulling, reinforcement at the seams and additional padding is vital to prevent damage. These include the shoulders, collar, knees, and crotch of the pants.

The cloth for gi's comes in a variety of weights and textures. For training purposes, judo uniforms are made out of single weave cloth. The appropriate weight for a Judoka (Judo practitioner) is measured in ounces or grams, and depends on their ability and age. Usually, beginners  at a younger age opt for lighter weights while older advanced students and instructors choose heavier ones. Weights can vary from 7 ounces or 198.44 grams to 40.57 ounces or 1150 grams. 

For competitions, double weave cloth is ideal for judo uniforms, making them thicker and heavier. Judo uniforms for competition use tend to be more durable, and as a result, much more expensive than single weave. While training judo uniforms come in white, competition level uniforms also come in blue.

Higher quality judo uniforms should not weigh down the practitioner and restrict their movement. They should fit loosely and comfortably on the body.

Bruce Lee, the Greatest Martial Arts Action Hero

Before Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme, there was Bruce Lee.  In a way, it is a real shame that many of today’s generation of action film fans have never been exposed to Bruce Lee because he was perhaps the greatest martial arts action hero of all time.   His martial arts on film may not have been as fancy as say Jackie Chan’s or Jet Li’s but his on screen ferocity and charisma are unequalled.  Even more important was the impact on martial arts that Bruce Lee had which still endures today even over 30 years since his passing.

Bruce Lee always considered himself a martial artist first and an actor second.  As a martial artist, he was way ahead of his time in developing his own style of martial arts he called jeet kune do.  His martial arts incorporated the most practical techniques from various combative disciplines as he moved away from the traditional and classical techniques.  His martial arts abilities were real and 

respected by other prominent martial artists like Jhoon Rhee, Chuck Norris, Ed Parker and Joe Lewis.  His name was inducted into the prestigious Black Belt Hall of Fame twice, once while he was alive and the other after his death.  These are honors that no other martial arts action hero has ever come close to.  Martial arts schools in North America enjoyed a huge growth in enrollment because of Bruce Lee.

North America got an early glimpse of Bruce Lee when he played Kato in the Green Hornet television series and a bit role in the movie Marlowe.  He went to Hong Kong and made a few films like Fists of Fury (called the Big Boss in the Asia market) and the Chinese Connection which made him a huge star in Asia.  Bruce Lee also wrote, directed and starred in his own movie production called the Way of the Dragon which featured perhaps one of the greatest martial arts fight scenes ever.  This scene took place in the Roman Coliseum and was with Chuck Norris which gave Norris his first film start.  It was Enter the Dragon that broke him to North America.  Unfortunately, he died tragically at the age of 32 in 1973 before he was able to witness the success of that movie.  At the time of Lee’s death, he had completed the fight scenes for another movie called Game of Death which featured basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabar, who was actually one of his martial arts students.  Other students of Bruce Lee included actors Steve McQueen and James Coburn.  Game of Death was completed with look-alike actors later on.

One of the most significant contributions Bruce Lee made is that he opened the door for other Asians in the entertainment industry worldwide.  He was the first Asian to achieve any significant success in the North American entertainment scene.  He became a star in North America and the rest of the world by playing heroes rather than past stereotype roles for Asians such as like servants, gangsters, laundry workers or other ‘pigtail coolie’ characters.  On an even greater scale, Bruce Lee gave Asians, particularly the Chinese people worldwide, a reason to be proud.  Bruce Lee influenced them to be confident in pushing forward to achieve their goals no matter what field they were in.

British Aikido Board National Nepotism Seminar 2004

The British Aikido Board 

Disastrous National Nepotism Seminar 2004 – 99 Students 

By Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido.

( BAB Founder member - now resigned ) 

For many years The British Aikido Board ( BAB ) have shown no interest what-so-ever in the true history of British Aikido, to be fair to the BAB, they have in the recent past shown a great deal of interest and support for the false history of British Aikido for which they have now publicly apologised, the apology to Henry Ellis by the chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter pictured left, can be viewed on this site. www.geocities.com/britishaikido. 

  

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985..

When Kenshiro Abbe Sensei first stepped on British soil in 1955 he brought with him the knowledge of many Budo arts, Aikido being one of them. Abbe Sensei also brought his Aikido based philosophy of Kyu-Shin-Do. This was the inception of British Aikido. Yet no where in the BAB literature will you find any reference to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei by name or the origins of Aikido within the UK. In the year 2000 the BAB were happy to help promote Mr Pooles proven fraudulent claims to 47 yrs of Aikido, I am plesaed to add that the BAB have now taken this claim by Mr Poole from the BAB Associations information website. I personally received my invitation from the BAB to attend Mr Poole’s event, that was the start of the long running British Aikido Board Controversy which was resolved at the mediation meeting 6th July 2005 with Sport England/BAB/Ellis. Yet sadly, the BAB have never ever recognised or promoted the true history of British Aikido or its founder Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. The reason for this article is that following the success of the great Kenshiro Abbe Sensei Celebrations 14th May 2005 I am informed that the BAB plan a similar event next year which would be an insult to the memory of Abbe Sensei and to the handful of Abbe Sensei direct students. 

It should be pointed out that the spate of attacks on the credibilty of British Aikido History - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Henry Ellis have all come from within the BAB, some are executive members along with prominent members of the British Aikido Board associations. These are the very people that the BAB members would expect to promote and protect their proud lineage. Below are a few examples.

One: Ms Shirley Timms the British Aikido Boards secretary, totally ignored the facts-photos-evidence against Mr Jack Poole's false history which were personally handed to her by Henry Ellis, prior to Mr Poole being presented with his coveted bronze samurai statue in Oct 2000.

Two: Mr Toni Davies the previous BAB chairman, deliberately lied at a general meeting to protect Mr Poole's false history. Read the Sport England meeting minutes.

Three: Mr Vincent Sumpter The BAB chairman once supported the claims of Mr Poole by stating " We have no formal records to prove or disprove either claim " DUH < There were four of Abbe Sense's direct students within the BAB at that time.> 

Four: Mr John Burn.* BAB Executive *- *BAB Communications Officer* - Very Serious libel attack on the name of Henry Ellis. renews his attack 10th June 2005 stating " This only serves to amuse me ". 

Five: Jim Johnston. The then *BAB Press Officer*. Promoting the fraudulent claims of Mr Poole whilst fully knowing the truth. 

Six: Mr Dominick Foster.* BAB Executive * - Attends the Kenshiro Abbe Celebrations and states to a VIP guest "What is this Celebration all about " he then states that next year is the true celebration of British Aikido by the BAB. 

Seven: Mr Jack Poole.* BAB Senior Principal Coach *. The Jack Poole Biography..( a catalogue of lies. ).

Eight: The KenShinKai.* Prominent BAB Association*. Gave 100% Support for the JP Bio..Their open letter taken from the NACD is an absolute classic and can be read on this website.

Nine: Mr Gwynne Jones.* Prominent BAB member *. Dis-credits 6 of the first 8 of the early dan grades in MartialArts Illustrated article " Bends the Branch..Issue June 05. visit the National Aikido Database forum for more information. 

British Aikido Board Statement Damned Forever 

Ten: This is without doubt the most disgraceful of them all.. * The BAB Chairman *Toni Davis stated in the year 2000

“We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History and 

therefore have no interest in the same“

Eleven: Sadly, with the arrival of the new BAB chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter nothing changed, he made the statement below despite the factual information available to him and his executive, We must not forget that Mr Sumpter had the only four surviving students of Abbe Sensei for Aikido within the BAB.

Twelve: On the 17th April 2002 The *BAB Chairman * Mr Vincent Sumpter wrote to Henry Ellis with reference to the history of British Aikido. He then made the following crass statement in his support for the BAB stance on Mr Jack Poole.

“The period in question predates the creation of the BAB by a significant amount of time and therefore we have no formal records to prove or disprove either claim.”

Thirteen: The Kenshiro Abbe 50th Celebration Seminar

May 14th Crystal Palace London 

720 Participants –Guests – Spectators 

At the Sport England / BAB / Ellis mediation meeting 6th July 2004 where the BAB were reprimanded by Sport England and instructed to give Henry Ellis a full public apology.

At the end of the meeting ( The minutes for this meeting can be viewed on this site .( www.geocities.com/britishaikido ), Henry Ellis appraised Ms Sadie Mason of Sport England of the proposed plans for the Kenshiro Abbe event, Ms Mason suggested that we should involve the BAB in our plans as part of the reconciliation of British Aikido, Henry Ellis agreed.

Henry Ellis offered Ms Mason's suggestion to the Abbe Event Committee, the suggestion was unanimously accepted 100%. The BAB executive were then approached and invited to send a representative ( any one of its 15,000 members ) of the BAB to attend our meetings and report back on our progress, this offer was rejected out of hand.

Mr Vincent Sumpter 

“No matter your Pretence, you are what you are and nothing more!“

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

Not deterred, we then invited the BAB chairman Mr Vincent Sumpter to attend The Kenshiro Abbe 50th Celebration as a VIP guest, to pay the respects of the BAB membership of which he represents . There were many BAB members attending, proving that this event was not about personal differences – styles or what organisation you belong to, I was pleased to see students from Mr Poole’s organisation who were also made very welcome. This event was about one thing and one thing only “ Kenshiro Abbe Sensie “ with demonstrations of the early aikido and its proud standards, with Sensei Eastman showing various techniques to show the influences that the different early teachers brought to the UK in those early days.

Students trained with other students of various styles and associations with a friendliness not often seen in modern Aikido circles. this event went a long way to promote all that is good in Aikido. I believe that the spirit of Abbe Sensei would be very proud of this special day to his memory. 

Another crass statement from Mr Vincent Sumpter 27th March 2004 made before the Sport England Mediation meeting 6th July 2005. In an unwarranted attack on the genuine aikidoka who supported the British Aikido Controversy debate in its defence of the true history of British Aikido and the Aikido history of Abbe Sensei and his disciples.

Mr Sumpter bleats. 

“The Boards conscience is clear. like all the practitioners of Aikido who contribute to this “controversy “ Mr Humm appears to have forgotten the meaning of the word “Aikido “ – Harmony of Sprit to find a Way “ The “Controversy “ website feeds hatred, ill – feeling, bitterness and discord. For my part, as an aikidoka who is passionate about the art and the etiquette that goes with it, I will therefore not add to the feeding frenzy this website generates. I can’t stop what is going on but I can turn the other cheek.“

With reference to the above statement by Mr Sumpter I should remind the reader to visit on this website www.geocities.com/britishaikido to read both the Sport England minutes and Mr Sumpters apology to Mr Ellis which can only be considered an apology to all those that supported the “Controversy “ in the name of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei including the named Mr David Humm.

In response to our invitation to attend as a VIP guest to the Abbe event Mr Sumpter replied stating that he graciously accepted our invitation. Just before the event he changed his mind without explanation, suggesting that we allow Mr Ralph Reynolds to represent the BAB.

Mr Reynolds had a far more important role to play as one of the main teachers at this event where he was delighted to take part as an original student of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

This was such an important event with many good students who were members of the BAB, yet, the British Aikido Board were not represented at this event to pay tribute to such a great master and the founding father of British Aikido.

If Mr Sumpter had attended he would have seen a Martial Arts Spectacular never before seen in the United Kingdom, where students from many organisations met and renewed old friendships, there were many more that made new friendships. 

In almost 50 years of Aikido I have never before experienced the special atmosphere that electrified the great hall at Crystal Palace from the moment the Taiko Drummers started to play on this day of celebration in the name of Abbe Sensei. I never ever thought in my life time that I would ever see an event to eclipse the great event at The Royal Albert Hall in 1963 with Abbe Sensei. I knew on Saturday the 14th of May that I was now witnessing the greatest Aikido event in my 48 years of Aikido. I am not an emotional man but I will admit that as I looked over the balcony of the concourse onto the tatami area with the sound of the Taiko Drummers and the hundreds of students and guests gathering below I was unable to stop the trickle of a few emotional tears as I realised I was witnessing something very special.

MR SUMPTER, you too missed something very special, whilst you sat 40 miles away at home ignoring the tribute to the father of British Aikido, others travelled from all parts of the UK – USA – France – Holland – Germany – Czechoslovakia. etc.

Whilst you sat at home it was a wonderful moment when Sensei Bill Woods who was the personal aide to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and without doubt the most influential force in the history British Martial Arts, made a supreme effort despite his serious illness to pay his respects to the memory of Abbe Sensei.

Also whilst you sat at home, Sensei Bill Stopps the personal Aide to Matsutharu Otani Sensei who despite his age and ill health also attended and thanked me wholeheartedly for inviting him as a special guest, and for the wonderful day he had experienced.

Whilst you sat at home just 40 miles away, Sensei Robin Otani and his two sons, the descendents of Matsutharu Otani Sensei travelled all the way from Devon to attend.

Sensei Joe Curran travelled all the way from Newcastle and Sensei Mike Nery travelled from Bristol. Sensei Dave Rogers travelled 7000 miles from New Mexico USA as did Sensei Al Montemar and Mr Chad Hatcher who flew over from Texas USA to pay their respects. Whilst you sat at home there were many others that travelled long journeys to attend.

Unlike you Mr Sumpter these people wanted to attend.

You missed some of the finest displays of the Budo arts that any martial artist is ever likely to witness at any one event, a truly lasting experience for all those that made the effort to attend.

I was always under the impression that it was the sworn duty of any chairman to always do what was best for his organisation and its members.

As the previous BAB chairman Toni Davies will always be rembered for nothing more than his lies and unswerving support for Mr Poole.

The present chairman Mr Sumpter will always be remembered as the BAB chairman who snubbed the Kenshiro Abbe Memorial to pay tribute to our founding father on behalf of his membership. 

Try Try Try Again 

After the disastrous “British Aikido Board Nepotism Seminar 2004“ with only 99 students attending out of a membership of approx 15000, the BAB have decided not to hold it's 2005 National Seminar .

They are of course fully aware of the fantastic success of the Kenshiro Abbe Celebrations. With 720 participants – honoured guests – spectators.

The BAB having failed miserably in its four year support for Mr Jack Poole to change the history of British Aikido. They now appear to have a renewed interest in the true history of British Aikido and its founder Kenshiro Abbe.

No matter whatever the British Aikido Board do, that damning statement below will hang over their shameless heads for ever and a day.

British Aikido Board Statement Damned Forever

The BAB Chairman Toni Davis stated in the year 2000

“We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History and 

therefore have no interest in the same