Success of the 5th International Taikai of Aiki-Jujutsu in Avignon
A way for everyone to better know each other and create friendships, despite the language barrier. A day enjoyed by everyone.
Organized by the PO traveling agency of Avignon, the one day tour around the Camargue has been a real pleasure for foreigners and a large number of French as well, who were notably discovering the Provence for the first time. A total of fifty participants. Arrival at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, boarding into a Tiki (a typical riverboat) for a cruise at the mouth of the Rhone: bulls, horses, herons, egrets etc. Discovering the wild side of a region where rice grows. In return, a seaside lunch of local specialties and in the afternoon, despite the Mistral, swimming in the see for the braves.
JUNE 2011
Unheard of in France!
Gathering of 200 aïki-jujutsu practitioners of the same school "Takeda Ryu Maroto-ha", from different countries. Amazing! Never, indeed, except during some special training courses in the same discipline, (or more) from different schools or styles, as many students in Aiki-jujutsu had been together on the same tatami. Especially since this discipline, which is the ancestor of Aikido, is still unrecognized in our country. Hence the lack of interest manifested by local media, except France-bleue-Vaucluse and Vaucluse matin. This is an unprecedented success that took place in Avignon, at the Champfleury Sport hall. Experts, and not least, that moved to animate the courses: A. MAZOUZI 7th Dan – Morocco; L. MONTES LEON 7th Dan – Cuba; S. CHARLOPEAU 7th Dan – France; E. Van Antwerpen 6th Dan – Belgium; M. RASTEPHANO 6th Dan – Madagascar; M. CAMILLERI 5ème Dan – Malta. Among the experts who were present: A. HANK 7th Dan – Bitche 57 ; N. CARNICER 6th Dan – Montfavet 84 ; C. BARNAVOL 6th Dan – La Batie 05 ; M. FOURNEYRON 6th Dan – Unieux 42 ; J. SIMON 6th Dan – Malestroit 56 ; F. DUROT 6th Dan – Wavrechain 59 ; N. DUROT 6th Dan – Wavrechain 59 ; M. HENNEQUIN 6th Dan – Calais 62 ; F. ORRICO 5th Dan – La Croix St Ouen 60 ; L. VOICULEANU 5th Dan – Romania ; J-M DEBAI 5th Dan – Barbezieux 16. Thus, Cuban, Malagasy, Morocco, Czech, Maltese, Romanian, Belgian, Swiss, Italian and French were able to exchange techniques in a festive atmosphere while sweating. Many spectators came to the sports hall for the show. The bar, run by volunteers was always full of people. A Taikai, which will be renewed in its sixth edition in Malta in June 2013.