NHB Fighting and Aikido

Demetrio Cereijo wrote: I believe both Chiba and Sekiya had years of Judo expereince before starting Aikido.

Dear Demetrio,
Just like myself.I did Judo for 13Ii4 years prior to Aikido. I met many famous judoka such as Kenshiro Abbe, Anto Geesink, Saburo Matsushita, Kisaburo Watanabe, George Kerr,.My own teacher Tam Mc Dermott in over 13 years despite being 90 % disabled in the time I saw him he was never thrown by anyone.He was a student of T.Kawamura , a very famous Kodokan teacher.It was due to my encounter with Kenshiro Abbe I took up Aikido.Abbe Sensei was a legend.One of the few men to beat Kimura.My main influence [as if you have not figured out ] in Aikido was Chiba Sensei.Sensei still remains in my mind one of the greatest Aikidoka ever.Sadly missed I also learned a lot fromSekiya Sensei.I also miss him very much..Cheers, Joe.

Joe

Would you say, from your experience, there is a significant difference between Aikido people with serious Judo background and the ones whithout it?

Regards.

Demetrio Cereijo wrote: Joe Would you say, from your experience, there is a significant difference between Aikido people with serious Judo background and the ones whithout it? Regards.

Dear Demetrio, An interesting question.Generally I find Judo guys physically more powerful in terms of strength.The maai in Aikido is also different inasmuch a judoka prefers close quarters maai and likes to grip the gi [usually in a manner akin to King Kong].of his opponent.They also stand in the basic shizentai posture rather than hamni.At the same time many judo ka have moved from judo to aikido and have been quite successful.Chiba Sensei /Kanai Sensei come to mind here as well as teachers such as Kenshiro Abbe..Even Anton Geesink had some knowledge of Aikido.I think [and I may be wrong here]the students who have serious Judo experience have a distinct advantage ,Its just that I think that having been used to grappling /arm locks, strangulations , groundwork an
experinced judoka is a tad more battle hardened than a non judo aikidoka,Once again its all about the person not what he /she does.I know and have trained with pretty tough cookies who have not done.Perhaps other contributors here on the foum would care to enter the debate?Cue in Henry Ellis???? cheers, Joe.

Judo players have *awesome* balance.