Aikido club packs a punch
Daryn Wood
THE Port Elizabeth Aikido Club may be small in size but it is big in stature – its members have progressed from junior ranks and become masters of aikido.
Club chief instructor Colin Beyers (third dan) and Candice Lee Dugmore (second dan) have been nominated to represent South Africa in the SportAccord World Combat Games in Russia, where they will demonstrate aikido in October. Also, they are two of only three candidates selected to represent South Africa.
The event will be broadcast to an international audience.
Beyers took over instructing from founder Casey Crelin.
Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art that uses the dynamics of movement and joint manipulation to evade and immobilise single or multiple attacks. It is non-competitive and its techniques may be used for self-defence in most circumstances, even if an opponent is armed.
The club has 20 senior and 15 junior members. The latter are instructed by Kylee Nel, a first kyu who has been focused on getting more youth involved in the art.
The juniors range from five to 14.
"My vision is to expand the children's classes and create awareness about aikido, its philosophy and the benefits to practitioners," Nel said.
Aikido involves practising controlled aggression and participants take turns attacking and defending.
But it is not healthy to learn to "beat up someone", Nel cautioned.
Emphasis is on etiquette, respect, developing a non-violent attitude and a healthy lifestyle, she said.
"We apply subtle social conditioning by not separating the sexes or age groups. Some of the kids don't like it, but they have to learn to deal with diversity, as in life," Nel said.
She teaches the more experienced children responsibility by putting them into leadership positions to help the newer members.
Several of the youngsters were promoted at a recent grading event, including Emma Saunders, who received a blue belt.
Saunders has the potential to be the first junior to get a black belt in Port Elizabeth, Nel said.
"These kids are amazing for taking on a martial art that is not mainstream – [it is without the] glitz and glam that tournaments bring. They are dedicated to mastering something for 'mastering sake'," Nel said.