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The Rochester Phoenix Aikido & Fitness Club is Rochester's New Yorks traditional Aikido center. It was founded in November 2002, as the Rochester Aikido Club, by Pavel "Pasha" Rott. He taught for nearly a year until, in September 2003, he moved to Portland, Oregon. Vic Williams assumed the teaching duties and day-to-day running of the club. Clyde Takeguchi shihan, chief instructor of Capital Aikikai, provides Capital Aikikai Federation (CAF) grading (Aikikai) and technical support.

Chief Instructor: Victor Williams Sensei, 4th Dan
Victor Williams Sensei is chief instructor of our Aikido club. He started Aikido at Phoenix Aikido Club, Coventry, UK in 1973. He has been training Aikido over 35 years at various Aikido school in UK, Hongkong and Belgium. He is holding 4th degree (Yon-Dan) of Aikido and is a Hombu certified Fukushidoin instructor. He has been training multiple martial arts include Aikido, Tai-chi, Iai-do and Jo-do.

Shihan : Clyde Takeguchi Shihan, 7th Dan
Clyde Takeguchi Shihan is the founder and director of Capital Aikikai. Takeguchi Sensei is a shichidan Ea seventh degree black belt Eand a Hombu-certified shihan instructor. He began his study of aikido in 1958 in his native Hawaii. In addition to founding Capital Aikikai in 1973, Takeguchi sensei founded the aikido clubs in Madison, WI, and Charleston, SC. He has taught aikido at the police departments in Honolulu and Madison, as well as at the US Customs Academy in Washington, DC. (cited from Capital Aikikai website)

Collaborating Instructor: Robert Poresky Sensei, 5th Dan Bob Poresky sensei is chief instructor at Capital Aikikai of Syracuse, an extension of Capital Aikikai in Silver Springs Maryland under the direction of Clyde Takeguchi, Shihan

Poresky Sensei has spent over 35 years teaching the principles and philosophies of the martial arts. He began his martial arts study in 1974. Poresky Sensei has studied several martial disciplines and currently holds the rank of Godan - 5th degree black belt- in Aikido, and is a Hombu certified Shidoin instructor. He is 7th degree - Shihan in Karate and also holds black belt rankings in Jujitsu and Iaido. (cited from Poresky sensei's page)


Instructor : Thomas Robinson, 2nd Dan
Tom Robinson is a certified second degree black belt (Ni-Dan). Tom is one of senior member of Rochester Phoenix Aikido club since it's founded. He started Aikido in 2001 at Kingston Aikido under Bob Wilcox sensei. He has been training Aikido in Rochester since 2002. Tom has also been training Karate (Shotokan Karate). He leads General class every Monday night.

Instructor : Taka Sanada, 3rd Dan
Taka Sanada has been training in Rochester Phoenix Aikido club since April 2008. He started Aikido in 1995 back in Japan under Katsuhiro Ishihara shihan (Aikikai Numazu branch, Shizuoka, Japan). Taka trained 2years under Kazuo Igarashi Shihan (Igarashi Dojo) and for 6 years under Takaharu Izumi Shihan (Osaka Buikukai). He is a certified 3rd degree black belt in Aikido (San-Dan). He currently leads General class and assists Youth class every Sunday morning.



Dojo History

2002

  • November: Dojo was founded as the Rochester Aikido Club by Pavel "Pasha" Rott. This group is only the Aikido Dojo of Traditional style(Aikikai style) in Rochester, NY.

2003

  • August: Vic Williams Joined
  • September: Pasha Left to Portland Oregon. Vic Williams sensei started organizing this club. Vic Williams strat running day-by-day training.

2004

2005

2006

2007

  • ?? : Dojo moved to 3rd floor, Elton 34, Rochester, NY
  • December: Takeguchi Shihan start giving seminar in Greater Rochester Area

2008

  • July: Weapon Training outside at Canandaigua lake and BBQ
  • December: Takeguchi Shihan's Annual seminar in Syracuse

2009

  • September: Weapon Training outside at Canandaigua lake and BBQ
  • December: Takeguchi Shihan's Annual seminar in Syracuse(12/5-6/2010)

2010

  • January: Rochester Phoenix Aikido Club joined Capital Aikikai Federation (CAF).
  • March: Official Blog Started. (3/1/2010)
  • Demonstrated at Martial Arts Spring Festival in Rochester (3/25/2010)
  • July: CAF first summer camp (7/17-18)
  • Aug: Youth Class Summer camp (8/17-20)
  • Aug: Outside weapon training at Lake (8/21)
  • Dec: Annual Seminar by Clyde Takeguchi Shihan (CAF) (12/4-5)
    Youth class Fun party

2011

  • March: Demonstrated at Martial Arts Spring Festival in Rochester (3/17/2011)
  • June :Youth class Demonstrated at Strong Museum of Play in Rochester (6/18/2011)
    Dojo moved to 2nd floor
  • July: Capital Aikikai Federation Gassuku 2011
  • Aug: Bill Plank Sensei's Seminar (8/20-21, 2011)
    Youth class Summer Camp
  • Oct: Dave Millar Sensei's Seminar (10/22-23, 2011)
  • December: Takeguchi Shihan's Annual seminar in Syracuse(12/3-4/2011)
    Youth class Fun party(12/24/2011)

2014

  • August: The Rochester Phoenix Aikido Club moves to it's new location 2240 Monroe Ave, Brighton 14618. Becoming Rochester Phoenix Martial Arts offering Aikido, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Karate, Thai kick boxing and more (8/1/2014)

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