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SHODOKAN AIKIDO SPAIN

Competition (shiai)

Since competitive aikido was first proposed by Tomiki Shihan, there has been controversy in the wider aikido community as to whether it should be allowed. However, it forms only part of a much larger system of progressive training in shodokan.

Competition in shodokan aikido takes two basic formats.

Embu

When two people are training together in order to learn new techniques or to practice them, there is a necessary level of cooperation between them. Usually, one takes on the role of uke, whose role is to attack in a predetermined way and allow aikido to be performed on them. The other (tori) has the opportunity to practice in a controlled, predictable situation while the basic skills are being developed.

The fixed techniques, or kata, teach the principles of aikido and the control and coordination required to perform them. This can be taken into a competitive format, where two partners perform a set sequence of techniques as a demonstration (embu), with cooperation between attacker and defender.

In competition two pairs may perform the same kata simultaneously, with three or five judges who each make an independent, simultaneous decision as to which pair is the winner at the end of the kata. In jiyu (open) embu, the pairs present their own kata made up of aikido techniques, though there are also set kata categories.

Shiai

Any training in which there is an element of unpredictability in the interaction between two people can be termed randori. In some systems of aikido, this can be where uke resists the application of a technique, or they may attack in one of many ways, and tori must respond spontaneously.

Tomiki wished to take unpredictability in training further, and apply it to a competitive format (shiai). He introduced the use of a soft, foam-rubber tanto with which one player attempts to strike the other on the torso. The other player, who is unarmed, must avoid being struck and apply one of 17 permitted techniques in order to score. The roles are swapped halfway through the bout.

Because the player with the tanto may score points, they provide a very fast, committed but safe attack, which is the other player (toshu)'s opportunity to break tanto's balance. Since tanto knows all the same techniques as toshu, they can move to counter any force applied, this makes shiai very difficult. Nevertheless, it is a true test of whether the techniques can be applied in an unpredictable situation, and develops speed and timing very effectively.

Kata and Randori to Embu and Shiai

The shodokan training system is a progressive one. First, basic movements of the feet, body and arms are practiced. These are the simplest building blocks of aikido techniques. Next there are exercises designed to develop correct distance, timing, application of force, balance breaking and other fundamental principles working with a partner. These are practiced at the start of every training session in every shodokan club worldwide. Together, these exercises (kihon kozo) contain everything used in aikido. They may be learnt relatively quickly at a basic level, but take years of practice and fine tuning to perfect.

Kata takes these foundation principles and applies them to techniques. In embu, a higher level of concentration and awareness, as well as speed and sharpness of movement is to be shown. Literally, embu means martial demonstration and the interplay between tori and uke should show this, while demonstrating the key principles in each technique.

In randori training the same basic principles are applied, though the level of unpredictability is gradually increased. It is possible to train in randori without entering competitions, and still gain its many benefits. Essentially, randori develops receptiveness to one's opponent, and the ability to react spontaneously and effectively.

Shiai is the final level of randori training, though there are still constraints on what either participant can do. This is necessary for reasons of safety, and allows techniques to be practiced with force against an opponent who is entirely uncooperative.

The understanding of techniques through kata and kihon kozo is essential to effective randori, and randori training is the fastest way of developing the speed, awareness and sharpness of movement in kata and embu.