International Aikido Federation (IAF)

The creation of the International Aikido Federation is the result of the vision of the second doshu UESHIBA Kisshomaru, son of the founder, for the  better securing, spread, promotion and recognition of aikido on global scale.

In 1976, to unite Aikido practitioners from around the world, the International Aikido Federation (IAF) was formally established, paving the way for Aikido activities to be conducted on a truly global scale. In 1984, the IAF became member of international sport bodies. [Read more >>>]

The International Aikido Federation (IAF) is the world federation of Aikido organizations, which are directly affiliated to the Aikikai Hombu in Japan, the principal organization of Aikido. It is the only worldwide federation of such Aikido organizations. The recognition by the Aikido World Headquarters is quite different from Membership of the IAF. At present the IAF has a rule that only one organization from each country may be a member, while the Aikikai Foundation recognizes any aikido organization that fulfills the conditions for the Hombu Recognition.

The IAF President is always the Aikido Doshu and a body called the Senior Council has the power to monitor the decisions taken by the IAF Congress, in order to ensure that the federation does not deviate from the way of aikido, as taught by the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba.

Since its foundation in 1976, the IAF has been able to fulfill several important functions. As a member of the SportAccord, the IAF participated at the World Combat Games. Though Aikido does not hold competitions, participation in the World Games was an important way of making aikido better known. The IAF, also organizes International Aikido Congresses every four years, facilitating direct training between aikido students of different countries, sharing instruction by the world's most senior Aikido Instructors, and also providing a channel for official communication with the Aikido World Headquarters.

As an internationally recognized federation, the IAF represents Aikido to the globe and gives international recognition to Aikido, to Doshu and to the Aikido World Headquarters-Aikikai Foundation, Tokyo.

IAF President
Aikido Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba

IAF Directing Committee
Chairman: Mr Kei Izawa
Vice Chairman: Mr Leif Sunje
General Secretary: Mr Wilko Vriesman
General Treasurer: Mr Mamoru Sadakuni
Assistant General Secretary: Mrs Henriette Flader
Members
Mr Frédéric Heylbroeck
Mr Shoichi Kamiya
Mr Charles McGinnis
Mr Dorin Marchis

 
Technical Council (Members appointed by the IAF President)
Members
Miyamoto Tsuruzo Shihan
Yokota Yoshiaki Shihan
Hayato Osawa Shihan



Senior Council (Members appointed by the IAF President)
Chairman: Tada Hiroshi Shihan

Members
Yamada Yoshimitsu Shihan
Asai Katsuaki Shihan
Suganuma Morito Shihan
Ozaki Sho Shihan
Tony Smibert Shihan
Christian Tissier Shihan

Others Members appointed by the DC
Webmaster: Mr Daan Stolp
Press Officer: Ms Irina Gaspar
Digital and Content Officer: Ms Vanessa Radd
Visual Identity Manager: Mr Mario Sapienza
Video Editor: Mr Lucho Howard

Official website of the International Aikido Federation