Cliff recognised for service to Aikido with honour
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Sensei Roy Cliff was recognised for 54 years service to Aikido when he was awarded one of the highest honours in the Japanese martial art.
The 75-year-old was awarded the rank of seventh dan (nanadan) by head of the Ki No Kenkyukai International Association, Doshu Kenjiro Yoshigasaki.
The presentation took place at the Alness Aikido Club where Cliff is a teacher of the discipline.
Cliff first began learning Aikido in 1965 and said it was honour to receive the seventh dan ranking for what has been a lifelong passion for him.
“The seventh dan rank is awarded on the basis of how many years service you have given to Aikido as well as how much you have learned.
“It is an award which is automatic and has no grading.
“But it is an award which the Japanese honour greatly and gives recognition to how many years people have given to Aikido.
“It was a great honour personally to receive the seventh dan.”
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that was developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy and religious beliefs.
It is an martial art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.
Cliff was previously involved in judo before he took up Aikido and is a now teacher at the Alness club where classes take place on a weekly basis.
He said as well as a physical form there is also an important mental and spiritual aspect to the discipline.
“Aikido adapts as your life goes on so you can find your way of developing your own personal martial art.
“The main reason I do it is to maintain a co-ordination of mind and body during my daily life.
“Aikido is more than about just training, it is a spiritual discipline.”
Yoshigasaki travelled over from Belgium especially to present Cliff with his seventh dan at Alness Aikido Club.
