Hellenic Aikido Aikikai
Important Dates and Events
| 1974 | George Koliopoulos first contact with Aikido and Fumio Toyoda Sensei was at the Northeastern Illinois University demonstration sponsored by the newly formed Chicago Ki-Aikido Society. |
| 1975 |
Is appointed Assistant Instructor for the Northeastern Illinois University Aikido Club by Shihan Fumio Toyoda. Participates in his first Aikido seminar with Master Koichi Tohei. |
| 1981 | Tested for Shodan at Tenshinkan Dojo, Headquarters Aikido Association of America, examiner Shihan Fumio Toyoda ( 6th Dan ), and was also awarded the Associate Instructor’s Certificate. |
| 1982 | Received the Instructor’s Certificate from the Aikido Association of America, Shihan Fumio Toyoda. |
| 1984 | The Aikido Association of America under Shihan Fumio Toyoda became independent from the Ki Society International. |
| 1986 | George Koliopoulos founded his first Dojo in Greece, the Aikido Association of Arcadia Tripoli, Greece. |
| 1987 |
Shihan Fumio Toyoda establishes co-operation with the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido World Headquarters Japan, with the intention to establish a formal relationship. George Koliopoulos tested for Nidan at Tenshinkan Dojo, with examiner Shihan Fumio Toyoda and also founded the Aikido Association of Athens, Fukushinkan Dojo Athens, Greece. |
| 1989 | Tested for Sandan at Tenshinkan Dojo, Aikido Association of America with examiner Shihan Fumio Toyoda |
| 1990 | Was awarded the title of Shidoin from Aikido Association of America. |
| 1991 | Was awarded Yondan after recommendation by Shihan Fumio Toyoda, head of the Aikido Association of America and the Aikido Association International based in Tenshinkan Dojo, Chicago, U.S.A. |
| 1992 | Becomes a member of the Testing and Teaching Committee and assumes the position of Regional Director for East Europe for the Aikido Association International under Shihan Fumio Toyoda. |
| 1994 | Shihan Fumio Toyoda and the Aikido Association of America and the Aikido Association International are formally recognized to belong to the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido World Headquarters, Japan. |
| 1996 | George Koliopoulos was awarded 5th Dan from Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan after recommendations from Shihan Fumio Toyoda. |
| 1997 | Due to Greek law, athletic associations were required to make changes in their constitution. With this opportunity the Aikido Association of Athens changed its name to the Hellenic Aikido Association. |
| 1999 | Hellenic Aikido Association becomes independent with Fukushinkan Dojo Headquarters in Athens and many affiliated Dojos throughout Greece. |
| 2000 |
The Hellenic Aikido Association becomes an Associate Member of the United Kingdom Aikikai, Shihan William Smith MBE and is affiliated with the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan. George Koliopoulos Sensei is awarded the title of Shidoin and Technical Director for the Hellenic Aikido Association and becomes a member of the Technical and Teaching Committee for the United Kingdom Aikikai. |
| 2003 | The Hellenic Aikido Association with the guidance of Shihan William Smith MBE and the UKA applies for formal recognition from the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido World Headquarters, Japan. |
| 2006 | The Hellenic Aikido Association becomes the first organization in Greece to be formally recognized by The Aikikai Foundation, Aikido World Headquarters, Japan. |
| 2008 |
January of 2008, George Koliopoulos Sensei was awarded the rank of 6th Dan Aikido, Aikikai Foundation, Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba. George Koliopoulos after invitation from his student Dimitris Farmakidis and the Hadeland Folkehogskole of Brandbu, Norway had the opportunity to travel to Japan for the first time. He visited Tokyo and trained at Hombu Dojo with Doshu and traveled to Fukuoka,Kyoto and Shingu where he trained at some of the oldest Aikido Dojos in Japan |
| 2011 | After much consideration by the heads of the HAA it was agreed upon that certain changes were needed to secure the unity and continued growth of the organization. These changes were voted on and submitted to the Aikikai. |
| 2012 | In January of 2012, The organization Hellenic Aikido Association with many of its affiliated member Dojos was reorganized into the Hellenic Aikido Aikikai with its headquarters in Tripoli, Arcadia Greece. Head and Chief Instructor George Koliopoulos Sensei. |
| 2016 | The Hellenic Aikido Aikikai applies for formal recognition to the Aikikai Foundation as an organization in Greece. |
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