"Maputosimon in Osaka" a Osaka Travel Page by Maputosimon

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A brief update until I have a bit more time - I loved the three week trip, competing in the Tomiki Aikido world championships with the British National Aikido Team! The competition was in the new Olympic stadium in Osaka (Maishima Arena), and we also travelled to Imabari, Fukuoka and Hiratsuka to study with Senseis Yamada, Futami and Uno. Great Britain ended up with 3 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals, second only to Japan, and way ahead of anybody else. This does seem to be the normal way of things in the World Championships - one day we'll beat the Japanese!!;)

I've done martial arts since I was six, so this was the final realisation of my lifelong wish to visit Japan and absorb the history, culture and sake! I had the dream of going for 5 to 10 years, but this is a start!!!!!

MANY picture to come, as soon as i've scanned them - I used 39 films over the 3 weeks, 16 in one day!

Here is a picture of me with Sensei Yamada, taken June 2001. He's maybe the kindest-hearted person I've ever met; nevertheless, you can see how much shorter than me he is, but it's awe-inspiring the power he naturally puts into even the most simple technique, just by doing it right! I've had first-hand experience of this, and would defy anyone to stay standing against him! Sensei Senta Yamada is living proof that a good heart triumphs!