The Hong Kong Aikido Association
The Hong Kong Aikido Association (香港合氣道協會) is recognized by Aikikai, Aikido World Headquarters Tokyo, Japan and is a founding member of the International Aikido Federation (IAF) and a member of the Asian Aikido Federation (AAF).
The Association was established in 1971, with the aim of promoting the martial art of Aikido in Hong Kong. It was incorporated in 1999 as the Hong Kong Aikido Association Limited, a non-profit organization and is served by volunteers and instructors.
Kenneth Cottier Shihan (1933-2008) founded the Association in 1971 when he opened a dojo in Ho Man Tin Street, Kowloon. When he was not in Hong Kong, he continued to visit every year to teach and promote Aikido in Hong Kong and Asia. Cottier Shihan passed away in 2008.
Subject to availability of a venue, the Association offers training seven days a week (except public holidays) at HKSAR government sports facilities. In addition, the Association holds regular Aikido seminars and workshops.
The Association is operated by an Executive Committee (EC) elected annually by the members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). A Technical Committee (TC) composed of Instructors of the Association provides technical assistance and advice.
1933-2008
Kenneth Cottier
Kenneth Cottier Shihan
Cottier Sensei was born on 14 December 1933 in Merseyside, England.
He began studying Judo in 1958 under Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, 8th Dan. In 1961 he attended a 3-month Judo instructor’s course in London conducted by Abbe Sensei. It was at that time that he was introduced to Aikido.
In 1964 he travelled to Tokyo for the Olympic games. He began studying Aikido under O’Sensei at the Old Hombu dojo. He was awarded Shodan in 1965, and Nidan in March 1967. He returned to England and studied under Chiba Sensei until returning to Japan in 1969.
In January 1971, he was awarded Sandan, and moved to Hong Kong where he founded the Hong Kong Aikido Association. He opened his dojo in a large residential flat in Ho Man Tin Street on 1st July 1971. He had financed the dojo from his own savings, but due to financial concerns, he was forced to close the dojo in 1972. He then returned to Japan to train at Hombu and replenish his savings, largely by teaching English conversation. He still visited Hong Kong every year to conduct classes and to grade members.
In January 1977 he was awarded Yondan. In 1978 he visited the Philippines on behalf of Hombu to evaluate Aikido there. In 1981 Cottier Sensei returned to England and joined the British Aikido Federation under Kanetsuka Sensei.
In 1984 and again in 1986 he visited South Africa for an extended stay of 7 months. During 1986 he toured the whole country and gave instruction at every Aikido Federation of South Africa dojo. In recognition of his contribution to Aikido in South Africa, he was named Honorary President of AFSA in 1997.
In 1988 he was appointed a Superior Counsellor of the International Aikido Federation (IAF).
In 1991 he returned to live in Hong Kong. He visited many other countries during the 1990’s. Also included was Vietnam and Shanghai, China where, on behalf of Hombu he evaluated the local Aikido situation.
In 1997 Cottier Sensei left Hong Kong again for his home country. He continued to visit Hong Kong every year for 6 or 8 weeks teaching, and to conduct gradings. He continued to teach Aikido at seminars in many countries around the world. In recognition of his contribution to Aikido, Hombu appointed Cottier Sensei as Shihan in January 2002 and as a member of the Technical Committee of the IAF in 2004. In January 2007, Cottier Shihan was promoted to 7th dan, the first Englishman that had been awarded such a rank.
Cottier Shihan passed away near his home in Merseyside, England in the early hours of 8th June 2008. In his last years he was lovingly cared for by his brother, Ron and family.
“As teaching beginners, I always try to put myself in their place. I look at their faces. They can tell us so much. Do they understand what is being said? Are their faces showing fear, uncertainty, doubt? If so, you must reassure them that you are not there to hurt them. You must win their confidence.”
“Being beginners, I can well understand some you feeling confused and apprehensive, may be even nervous. But I want you to know that I am available to you all, whilst I am here. What I mean by this is that if any of you wish to talk to me regarding problems you have with your aikido, do not hesitate to approach me. Do not think that because you are a beginner, I will not be interested in you. Believe me.”
–Cottier Shihan
The Hong Kong Aikido Association Timeline
1966
1969
Late 1960’s
1971
1st July Cottier Shihan opens his Ho Man Tin Street Dojo.
1972
Cottier Sensei demonstrates Aikido to the Royal Hong Kong Police. It is eventually adopted by the police as part of the training at the Police Training School in Aberdeen.
Sensei promotes two Shodan, George Wong (later to become Chief Instructor) and Leonard Leung.
Due to finances, Sensei closes Ho Man Tin Street Dojo and leaves Hong Kong. He returns every year to instruct, sometimes twice per year.
1973
A Dojo is opened at Royal Hong Kong Regiment (RHKR) in Tsim Sha Tsui. Practice is also at YMCA in Tsim Sha Tsui and at Waterloo Road, Yau Ma Tei. (Site of Cityview Hotel).
1976
1977
197?
1979
1980’s
1984
1991
1991
1995
1997
1999
HKAA is incorporated under Companies Ordinance.
2001
2002
2006
2008
2009
2011
2016
2019
2020-2023
2021
2023
Executive Committee (EC)
The Executive Committee is elected annually by members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and is responsible for:
- To execute the administration and operation of the Association, and decide on all Association affairs
- To define, limit, restrict and alter the rights, obligations and privileges appertaining to membership
2023 Executive Committee Members of the HKAA
Chairman
Stephen Kennedy
1st Vice Chairman
Dick Yau
2nd Vice Chairman
Tony Chan
Secretary
Vincent Chui
Treasurer
Lawrence Leung
(with Tony Chan)
Webmaster
Checky Chan
(with Olivia Cheung)
Membership
Justin Marchant
Technical Committee Representative
Samson Li
Dojo Booking Coordinator
Alan Chan
Events Coordinator
Justina Wang
(with Ku Yuk Ki)
Technical Committee (TC)
The Technical Committee is composed of the instructors of the association and is responsible:
