Makotokan Aikido

Sensei

Sensei Tony Hughes - 3rd Dan (1st Dan Yoshinkan AYF)

Naturally drawn to the physical/spiritual path of aikido, Tony began training in 1983 at the Epsom and Ewell Aikido Society under Sensei Ron Walters. Here he spent 10 years training in an eclectic mix of Aikido styles and aiki ju-jitsu, achieving a shodan grade in 1992. Following the fragmentation of this organisation Tony left to join his Sempai John Jenkin at the newly formed Koshinkan.

Tony was promoted to 2nd dan in 1996 by the International Aiki Budo council and received his 3rd Dan from the Koshinkan in 2003.

Currently Tony is instructing at the Makotokan dojo that he co-founded in 2005. He has evolved his aikido since the early days and now trains and teaches the Yoshinkan system under the guidance of Sensei Malcolm Crawford, 6th dan Yoshinkan of the Goryukai . Tony also trains regularly under Sensei Crawford to consolidate his basic technique and form, essential to further development. Whilst Tony is now dedicated to the Yoshinkan system he is eternally grateful for the efforts of his past instructors Ron Walters, John Jenkin and Stuart Rolland.

Tony has trained with many of the top sensei in the UK and has participated in many courses/seminars conducted by visiting Japanese sensei. He has visited Japan on three occasions, training at both the Yoshinkan and Aikikai hombu’s and with Thomas Makiyama sensei at the Keijutsukai. He is also famous (in his own mind!) for getting lost in Iwama!! Tony is a qualified coach under the British Aikido Board for both adults and children.

It is Tony’s belief that whilst aikido may begin as a physical martial pursuit, it should ultimately become a spiritual path for perfecting the human spirit or it ceases to have real meaning. As O’sensei said, “in true budo we seek to be one with all things, to return to the heart of creation”. He also believes that, despite all of the politics, Aikido is a ‘world family’ that he is honoured to be a part of, albeit a distant cousin three times removed.