Graceful art of defense

Chan (right) putting exponents through sparring techniques.

MALACCA: Since the setting up of the Malacca Kensankai (deep study of aikido) Doja (training hall) (MKD) in mid-1988, it is still a small number of enthusiasts and graded exponents that are keeping the graceful martial art of aikido going on in the state..

Aikido literally meaning “the way harmonising with the energy of the universe”, is unlike other popular martial art forms like taekwondo, judo, wushu and karate, which are all combative and competitive in outlook. Hence, minus the competitive edge, only a handful are keen in taking up the art developed by Japanese Morhei Ueshiba in the late 1920s, and one who is described by faithful practitioners as “Osensei” or the “Great Teacher”.