Sunday June 30, boulevard de Coubertin, in the Léo-Lagrange sports complex in Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Nazaire aikido will open its doors. Everyone will be welcome to discover this martial art. The start of the sports school year is planned for mid-September with four teachers.
Despite a slight drop in licensees, even if around ten new people arrive at the club each year (84 compared to 99), the Nazaire club continues to “release” prize-winners: Hakama, for Rozenn Gaudicheau and Catherine Guiheneuf-Rousseau, which materializes by a two-tone outfit acquired after an official aikido exam. This first grade passage is called “kyu”. Among the boys, Philippe Grit (in the photo) obtains the Yondan, equivalent to 4e dan. Thierry Le Squeren and Martin Dudoit obtained the shodan (the equivalent of the black belt).
Without forgetting Christian Séguillon who, at 76 years old, has once again proven that he is unique in Loire-Atlantique, not to say in the region, with a 6e dan landed this year. An extremely rare performance.
“Everyone learns at their own pace”
Aikido is a sport that is said to be virtuous and balanced, but which struggles to attract women. However, Rozenn and Catherine feel good at the club: There is a good atmosphere and no difference is made according to level: everyone learns at their own pace. It’s a complete sport. We come at any age, from 7 to 77 years old, and we learn about ourselves, we develop our cardio, our flexibility, we manipulate the use of work weapons (bokken for example), our mind is challenged.
For women, as for everyone else, “this sport allows you to gain confidence and learn self-control so as not to be afraid in particular situations. It’s beneficial, it’s personal development, we adapt to each training partner with slow or fast movements. Everyone learns at their own pace whether they do one hour or five hours per week, there is no real common thread between the courses.” The club has had new tatami mats for a year. Real comfort.
Sunday June 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., free and open to all. Meet at the Léo-Lagrange sports park, 7, boulevard de Coubertin, Saint-Nazaire.
