Hiroaki "Rocky" Izumi Sensei Passes Away

Posted 2013-03-01 18:41:26 by Jun Akiyama


I've just received news that Hiroaki "Rocky" Izumi sensei (6th dan) passed away earlier today from a heart attack. He was aged 59 years old.

Izumi sensei was the shihan of the West Indies Aikido Federation (Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, and area). He had also been shidoin for Kawahara sensei (Canadian Aikido Federation) since 1995, fukushidoin for Cottier shihan (Hong Kong Aikido Federation) from 1990-1995, and fukushidoin for Akira Tohei shihan (Midwest Aikido Federation) in 1987-1990. He was also a defensive tactics instructor and the author of many DVDs on aikido.

My condolences go out to his family, friends, and students.

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Izumi Sensei - R.I.P - So young at 59 yrs - My condolences to his family, friends, and students..

Henry Ellis
Co-author of `Positive Aikido`
Aikido Controversy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMuDqKOjnls

Sincere condolences to the family, friends and loyal students of Hiroaki Izumi Shihan. An outspoken advocate of traditional Aikido values, his unique voice and example will be missed. May he rest in well earned Peace.

I will never forget the class he taught at our first Aikido-L seminar in 1998 - a gifted teacher. Deepest condolences to his family and his students.

I first met Rocky in Regina, Saskatchewan - we started the Regina Aikido Dojo in 1995. R.I.P. my friend.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I started with "Rocky" in 1985. He told me then, as I called him Sensei, "Please don't call me Sensei, until I am at least 4th Dan and maybe not even then." He was then and he will forever be my Sensei and always part of my life and Aikido.

Condolences all around to all concerned. 59 is indeed a young age
and my own age!

I only knew Rocky from his congenial presence on the old Aikido-L and from the 1998 Aikido-L seminar, but his good humor, graciousness and passion for his art left a deep impression. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, students and colleagues.

My sympathies to his family and friends! Rocky Sensei's article regarding rank was required reading before testing for shodan at my first dojo. I trained at his seminar in Toronto last year. I found him very kind with a good sense of humor. I will always remember fondly the time I spent with him.

Heard this sad news this weekend at the Bridge Seminar at Shindai Dojo. Many people here knew and were quite fond of Rocky Sensei. RIP, sir.

Louis, my son aged 9, is a student of this lovely man and will remain so for life.
Our family is deeply shocked by Sensei Izumi's passing and we have no idea how to tell our son.
What a loss!
May he rest in peace....with a playful twinkle in his eye as usual.
A strong and caring man
He will be deeply missed.

Many thanks to Sensei Vili for posting a tribute on Youtube.
My son and I watched it and it enabled me to break the news.
Such friendship and support!
Thank you.

Only knew Izumi Sensei through these forums, but was always interested in what he had to say, and how he said it, and in that way he taught me many things. Sad news. R.I.P.

Check out https://www.facebook.com/JYGAikido

For more details Email : roger@msmas.org