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Father and Son Both Achieve Black Belt

Tuesday 22 July 2014, 11:16AM

By RedPR

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Father and Son in Action
Father and Son in Action Credit: Neil Templeton

CHRISTCHURCH

Aikido Shinryukan Canterbury, is celebrating an historic first for the club.

Christchurch father and son, Neil and Matt Templeton, have been graded together for Shodan (first black belt) at the club’s recent mid-year grading.

Despite the 34 year age difference, the Templeton’s have trained and graded together, training at least four times a week since joining the club in 2011. 

Takase Shihan 7th Dan, the World Aikikai Foundation Representative for New Zealand and head of Aikido New Zealand, supervised the grading with Andrew Williamson 6th Dan, the sensei  and founder of the Canterbury branch. Takase Shihan says the martial art of Aikido can practiced at almost any age and Neil Templeton agrees.

“One of the beauties of Aikido is that the techniques don’t require strength to perform and that allows adults, adolescents, men, women, young and old to train as equals,” he says. “The club has a family feel with a number of family members regularly training together so in that respect Matt and I are not an exception.”

As well as the father and son grading the mid-year also saw a young woman grading for her 3rd Dan, part of which requires her to defend against three attackers simultaneously.

The club readily welcomes new members.

ENDS

www.christchurchaikido.co.nz   Contact Neil on 027 338 7907 / Andrew 021 343 672