Technical structure
Macedonian Aikido Federation - Aikikai Macedonia is an organisation which is recognised by Aikikai Hombu. Its structure on a technical level, acording to its Statute, is based on mutual respect and freedom of choice concerning technical leadership, of course, as long as it is Aikikai Hombu connected. In this respect, there are two lines of teaching at present. One group of dojos is technicaly supervised bu Michele Quaranta shihan, and the other is supervised by Urban Aldenklint shihan. Both groups have different teachings programs and examinations programs, but get together for the occasion of exams, seminars and other activities. We strongly believe that unity, togetherness and jointment are the core values of Aikido spirit!
Mentor: Michele Quaranta shihan, 7th Dan
GROUP "IKEDA"
Mentor: Urban Aldenklint shihan, 7th Dan
GROUP "KOBAYASHI"
DOJOS - MEMBERS OF MAF-AM:
Grading
The advancement in aikido is marked with levels, similar to the other martial arts originating from Japan. According to the rules of Aikikai foundation in Japan there are student levels and master levels. The number of student levels varies in different national federations, but usually there are 6 or 5 (which are counted backwards when advancing). The number of master levels is strictly determined by the rules of the Aikikai headquarters and there are 8 master levels. Greater levels than 8 do exist among few old masters, but they have been issued before the establishment of the latest rules.
MAF – Aikikai Macedonia uses examination programs in which there are 6 student levels, followed by the master levels from 1 to 8. The 4th master level is the highest level that can be achieved by examinations. For the 5th and the 6th level the candidate has to be proposed by the technical committee at the federation and the 7th and the 8th are in discretion of the Aikikai Hombu in Japan.
The student levels are called KYU (in Japanese) and are not marked by various belt colors as it is usual in karate. Instead, for the period of time until the master level is being acquired, the belt is simply white. After the passing of the exam for the 1st master level (in Japanese: DAN), black belt is being worn and to the training uniform, i.e. to the GI, a hakama (wide black trousers) are added. The holders of 1st KYU level (the highest student level) can wear hakama only when they practice at their own dojo, as a preparation for the next level, but under it they wear the white belt. An exception to the rule for wearing hakama in MAF can be done with special permission.
Examination requirements
| Necessary requirements for taking an exam are: a certain period of active training, a number of attended trainings after the last exam and participation to seminars and summer schools | |||||
| degree | number of trainings after the last exam | time period after the last exam | seminars | summer schools | fee |
| 6. KYU | 50 trainings | 5 months | 500 MKD | ||
| 5. KYU | 60 trainings | 6 months | 600 MKD | ||
| 4. KYU | 75 trainings | 7 months | 1 | 700 MKD | |
| 3. KYU | 100 trainings | 8 months | 1+ | 800 MKD | |
| 2. KYU | 110 trainings | 9 months | 1+ | 900 MKD | |
| 1. KYU | 160 trainings | 12 months | 1+ | 1 | 1.000 MKD |
| 1. DAN | 200 trainings | 14 months | 1+ | 1 | (Hombu) |
| 2. DAN | / | 2 years | 2+ | 1 | (Hombu) |
| 3. DAN | / | 3 years | 2+ | 1 | (Hombu) |
| 4. DAN | / | 4 years | 2+ | 1 | (Hombu) |
You can download the full program - here.
Application for the exams can be downloaded - here.