History
Brighton Aikikai was founded in 1970 as the University of Sussex Aikido Club when Norio Tao 3rd dan, a Japan Railways employee who had been given his black belt by O’Sensei himself, arrived on an exchange scholarship and persuaded a few hardy fellow students, amongst them Peter Goldsbury (now 6th dan and Chairman of the International Aikido Federation) to practice Aikido with him. After Norio Tao returned to Japan, the club was continued by Dave Sevier and then Ron Cattrell, both direct students of Chiba Sensei who was the Aikikai Hombu resident sensei in the UK. The club grew steadily under their traditional tuition until Ron finally departed having finished his studies, at which point Ron’s senior student, Danny Gunn took over as instructor on his return from Japan, now heavily influenced by Yamaguchi Sensei.
Chiba Sensei had handed over the UK national organisation, The Aikikai of Great Britain to Kanetsuka Sensei and the club came under his guidance for the next ten years. During this time, the club moved home three times on the University campus and expanded into the town, first at The Natural Health Centre in the North Laines before moving to its present sites. This expansion was driven by Ric Smaridge who having finished at Sussex decided to make at least a part time living from Aikido and devoted all his energy to recruiting and expanding the club.
Tracking Yamaguchi Sensei’s influence, the club gradually forged strong links with the French Aikikai headed by Christian Tissier (7th dan, Shihan) after Danny had moved to Paris and this has resulted in a number of French instructors including Tissier Shihan himself crossing the Channel to give instruction. The club enjoys the arrangement to this day with Pascal Durchon (5th dan) and Benoit Mabire (4th dan) visiting regularly.
Today, the club can boast of black belt strength in depth and a membership of more than forty regular trainees.
