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History
Mr. William J. Smith Principal Instructor to the United Kingdom Aikikai, was a founder member of the Aikikai of Great Britain, under its Technical Director - Kazuo Chiba (Hombu Shihan). Subsequently, when Chiba Sensei went to America, the name of the organisation was changed to the British Aikido Federation. In 1974 Mr. Smith was appointed Senior Shodan (Head of National Coaches) to the BAF and later, in 1976, he was elected to the newly formed International Aikido Federation, retaining this position until 1988. He thought it necessary at this time to create his own school of Aikido, and the United Kingdom Aikikai was established, becoming a member of the British Aikido Board. His determination and dedication to his ideals, and to the advancement of his students was seen to bear fruit in 1989 when he was informed that his Aikikai and its Instructors had received recognition from Hombu, World Aikido Headquarters, Japan. In 2002 Mr. Smith was recognised as Shihan by Aikikai World Headquarters, and in the same year received the M.B.E. for services to Aikido. Living by this philosophy Mr. Smith has been an inspiration to his many followers. He is considered a statesman of Aikido by his peers, a teacher of infinite knowledge by his students, and a man of great humility by his close associates. In August 2006 after a long illness, Mr Smith passed away and Mr Gordon Jones 6th Dan, co-principal, took over as sole principal of the UKA with the full backing of the UKA membership. Mr Jones was awarded Shihan status at the Kagamibiraki 21st January 2007 by the current Doshu at Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan, and became the second UKA principal to be recognised as a Shihan (Master Teacher).
Gordon Jones - Personal Profile
Gordon Jones Shihan is the Principal Instructor of the United Kingdom Aikikai and is a BAB Coach level 3.
Mr Jones started Aikido in 1966 at West Heath Dojo and was initially taught by Mr William Smith under the guidance of Mr Ralph Reynolds. Later, after a thirst for more in-depth Aikido content, both Mr Jones and Mr Smith moved organizations to accept the tutorship of Chiba Sensei, head of the Aikikai of Great Britain, (later to become the BAF) who was 5th Dan at the time and based in Leicester. This resulted in many fortnightly visits to Chiba Sensei`s dojo and as a result he was subsequently promoted by Chiba Sensei to 1st Dan in 1973. 2nd Dan followed three years later in 1976 with 3rd Dan being awarded in 1979. He was subsequently awarded Shidoin status (national coach) in 1980 and received his 4th Dan in 1983. 1991 saw Mr Jones receive his 5th Dan.
In 2002 Mr Jones was promoted to 6th Dan by the current Doshu and was later to be awarded Shihan status at the Kagamibiraki, 21st January 2007 by the current Doshu at Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan, upon which he became the second UKA principal to be recognised as a Shihan (Master Teacher).
Mr Jones travels the UK extensively giving Aikido Seminars and has also held seminars in Athens & Lesbos in Greece, Sydney in Australia and Belgrade in Serbia and is the technical director of the Australasia Aikikai, Sydney.
A family man, Mr Jones has been married to his wife, Jenny, since 1971. They have two daughters, Helen and Catherine and two grandchildren, Rees and Sam.
The Hombu 2010 Kigami-Birakai saw an unprecidented statement of confidence in the UKA by the promotion of Mr Peter Brown and Mr Mike Smith to 6th dan and Mr Peter Brady, Mr Keith Hayward and Mr Philip Smith to Shihan status.
Please join us in congratulating them on their promotions.
Guy Needler
UKA General Secretary
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