The Demo day at the YMCA was a great success with a good turn out.
We showed up with a team of 7 people, and a series of fight demos. Our explosive opening was a great example of Aikido and practical aikido. Sempie Dave walked onto the area, and without a word of intorduction began dealing with a series of attacks from Dohighs James and Andreas. The same sequence was then repeated by both of the Dohighs with more strikes being incorporated. The sequence had been written some weeks previously and worked on constantly by the team, culminating in a great performance, and the jaw dropping opening that we were hoping for.
Next up were Richard San ( with Sempie Dave as his attacker), leading an introduction/explanation of Aikido which Tim San (attacked by Dohigh Andeas) and Tor San (attacked, maybe a bit too enthusiastically, by Dohigh James) were to follow. Our Demo had been put together over about 10 days, and was still been worked on that morning. However, reading the reaction of the audience, it only took Richard San about 45 seconds to throw out everything we’d been working on, and to create a brilliant physical intorduction to Aikido, that captured the beautiful moves, and dynamic throws, that attracted us to this Art in the first place. The teams reaction was such that the audience were totally unaware of the fact that this element of our demo was unprepared.
Our grand finally was a self defence “fight”, in which Hayley San defended herself against the two Dohighs and Sempie. Watching it from the side, we couldn’t help but feel very sorry for the attackers, especially when Richard San asked for it to be performed again. A high impact, well thought out, well practiced, and well performed sequence, it was the perfect finish to a great demo.
Talking to the audience after we kept hearing word like “beautiful” and “polished”. A special Thanks to Sempie Dave, Dohigh James and Dohigh Andreas who were brilliant. We’re looking forward with interest to see how the experience of performing in front of the public will improve how they perform at the next gradings.
We have another demo planned for the 18th June. Please watch this space for more news on this event nearer the time.
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