Aikido pair pass on 25 years of experience

A BOGNOR duo have shown commitment to their art for 25 years and have freely given their time to pass it on to the local community.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jan 2016, 14:18 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 07:10 BST

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Robin Wilden and Natasha Hadwick with Sensei Tony WildenRobin Wilden and Natasha Hadwick with Sensei Tony Wilden
Robin Wilden and Natasha Hadwick with Sensei Tony Wilden

It’s a great example of real dedication for the unique Japanese martial art of Aikido.

Sensei Robin Wilden began studying the art of aikido in Chichester in 1990 when he was nine. He passed his third dan grading and is the Arun Aikido Club adult class senior instructor.

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He teaches Aikido Yoshinkan techniques and prepares students for grading. He has also studied wing chun kung fu and kick boxing.

Sensei Natasha Hadwick began studying aikido in Chichester, also in 1990, when she was just seven. She recently passed her second dan grading and is the Arun Aikido Club junior class instructor.

It is her responsibility also to teach Aikido Yoshinkan techniques and prepare students for grading. She has also worked with and managed children for Fit for Sport.

The pair haven’t taken a grading in more than ten years because they have been busy teaching the aikido classes. They practised hard for several months to prepare themselves for this very special event.

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On the grading panel were their father Sensei Tony Wilden (fifth dan), who founded Arun Aikido Club in Bognor in 1992, and Sensei Piers Cooke (seventh dan), who founded Aikido for Daily Life, based near Dorking.

Sensei Tony Wilden said: “Robin and Natasha both performed very well and easily passed their grading. They demonstrated great attitude, concentration, control and excellent posture as they performed dozens of complex advanced aikido techniques. Their success was well earned, I am really pleased and proud of them!”

Arun club instructors are highly qualified, hold professional liability insurance and are CRB/DBS-checked and first aid certified. They offer junior and adult aikido classes, self-defence seminars and private lessons.

You are welcome to join them and train in a friendly family atmosphere with three generations of the Wilden family on Thursday evenings – juniors 6pm to 7.30pm and adults 7.30pm to 9.15pm at the Holy Cross Community Centre, 330 Chichester Road, Bognor.

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Your first aikido class is absolutely free – for more information visit www.aikido-health.com

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