Slovenian Aikikai delegation at the Ministry of Sport and Education

The Slovenian Minister of Sport and Education received Hombu Dojo Shihan Yukimitsu Kobayashi and a delegation from the Slovenian Aikikai Federation.

Minister Igor Lukšič stated his intention to support the official recognition of Aikido as a branch of sport and the Slovenian Aikikai Federation as the umbrella organization for Slovenian Aikido clubs.

Slovenian Aikikai delegation at the Japanese embassy in Ljubljana

His Excellency Shigeharu Murayama, Ambassador of Japan to Slovenia, received a delegation of the Slovenian Aikikai Federation and Hombu Dojo Shihan Yukimitsu Kobayashi during the latter's visit to Ljubljana.

Mr. Murayama stated his intention to provide cultural, media and organizational support of the Slovenian Aikikai Federation, as the umbrella organization for Slovenian Aikido clubs.

Key event for Aikido in Slovenia

(from left to the right) : Wilko Vriesman Sensei, Kazuki Takei - Japanese Embassy, Yukimitsu Kobayashi Shihan, Aleksandr Starovojtov. Slika: Tadjej Maligoj

Yesterday we realized a key event for Aikido in Slovenia, namely, a visit by Hombu Dojo Shihan Yukimitsu Kobayashi.

For this occasion, an Aikido seminar and demonstration were organized on the highest level, with the Directorate for Sport of Slovenia’s Ministry of Education and Sport, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, and other high-level guests attending. The event received good coverage from the media, including Slovenian National TV, the News TV channel, and several newspapers and magazines.

As president of Slovenian Aikikai, I would like to thank everyone for attending the event, as this provides great support for Aikido, and our organization.

Yukimitsu Kobayashi 7 Dan

The latest good news from Aikido World Headquarters in Japan: Yukimitsu Kobayashi Hombu Dojo Shihan - who will be visiting Ljubljana, Slovenia in March 2008 - has been promoted to 7 Dan.

Congratulations!