Iran Aikido Arai Dojo Opening Ceremony
On 12th of November, 2015, a major event happened in Iran’s sports history when Iran Aikido Arai Dojo was established in Paas Ghavamin Sports Complex in Tehran, Iran. Present in the opening ceremony were Toshiyuki Arai Shihan (8th Dan) director of the All Japan Aikido Federation and of Gunma Aikido Federation, his senior student Yuasa Kohei (7th Dan), Farhad Asgarov Sensei director of Azerbaijan Aikido Federation, and Reza Samadi Sensei Iranian Aikidoka with the technique of Japan’s Hombu Dojo and the student of Toshiyuki Arai Shihan.
This significant event took place after lots of consultation and a tremendous amount of efforts by Reza Samadi Sensei with the intention of spreading the noble and traditional art of Aikido from Japan, the cradle of the world’s martial arts, to every young and aspiring athlete. Most of Iran’s experienced aikidokas attended this ceremony as well as those who traveled from Japan.
On the first day of the event, the invitees and Iranian aikidokas did a group practice of Aikido techniques after the ceremony and on the second day Asgarov Sensei, Samadi Sensei, Yuasa Shihan and Arai Shihan did an extraordinary Aikido demonstration which were praised by many of the elders of Iran’s martial arts society.