Welcome. If you are reading this then you are probably looking for new challenges in your life, and aikido is a good start. So, if you are looking for something interesting to do with your spare time, or maybe you've been chased by youths dressed like skeletons and you just wish you could give them a sound trashing...then you've come to the right place.

It wouldn't hurt to give it a go...do you really want to go home and watch TV for the rest of your life? You might ache the next day after training but I've had far worse pain from standing on an upturned plug in the dark. Distrust anything that end's with a plug.

This site was created to promote the Sheffield Aikido Town club. There is also a student club for University students. There are a few types of aikido but they are essentially they same just taught differently. The type of aikido on this website has a sporting element to it if you was to pursue that you could do.

It's hard to compare aikido to something, I suppose you could say it's like a semi-violent rubix cube: you start off all confused not knowing which way to turn, eventually you manage to do something but you know its not completely right, then at some point everything will click into place and it will all make sense, and you will have achieved something great and magical. Well I hope that last bit's true.

On a more serious note: Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969) which utilises strikes (atemi waza), joint locks (kansetsu waza) and throws to neutralise an attack with a degree of control unique to Aikido. Such control allows an attacker to be restrained by way of good technique, power and timing, rather than brute strength and bone-breaking.

Professor Kenji Tomiki (1900-1979) studied Aikido for many years under Ueshiba, eventually obtaining the rank of 9th dan.

Drawing on ideas developed by Jigaro Kano in his formulation of modern Kodokan Judo (Tomiki was also awarded 8th dan in Judo), he subsequently developed a well-structured syllabus and training methods for Aikido.

As well as introducing a competitive sporting element (randori) so common Aikido techniques could be practiced safely in an unpredictable situation.

Despite what some say, Ueshiba himself never disapproved of Tomiki's development of sport Aikido. Tomiki eventually estabilished the Shodokan Hombu Dojo in 1967 as the headquarters of his Aikido system. Shodokan Aikido continues to develop and evolve to this day, under the technical directorship of Tetsuro Nariyama Shian.

Sheffield University Shodokan Aikido club was set up in 1991 by Scott Allbright (5th Dan, Japan Aikido Association, 1995 World Champion), who has trained extensively in Japan under the tutelage of Tetsuro Nariyama Shihan (8th Dan, World Technical Director of the JAA). Scott is also the founder of the Nottingham University club.

Under Scott's instruction the club has enjoyed much success, having won many medals in student and national level competitions, and producing many players who have competed at an international level.

It's not all about competition though! Aikido has many other benefits and competition is only one aspect of this complex martial art. Through studying Aikido, one can gain confidence, fitness, improved coordination and control. Training involves defences against armed and unarmed attacks. We also have an active social scene, with both organised socials and the obligatory post training drink.