«Masakatsu Agatsu: Ηαληθινή νίκη είναι η νίκη επί του εαυτού» -O' Sensei

T r a d i t i o n a l B u d o A r t s

Hellenic Aikido Aikikai - George Koliopoulos Sensei



George Koliopoulos first contact with Aikido was in 1974 when he attended a demonstration given by Fumio Toyoda Sensei at Northeastern Illinois University where he was a student. The same day he joined the NIU Aikido Club and became a member of the Chicago Ki-Aikido Society. He was one of Toyoda Sensei’s original students and trained extensively under him from 1974 to 1981. During this period he attended seminars given by Master Koichi Tohei (10th Dan) and traveled with Toyoda Sensei throughout the Chicago and Mid-West area assisting him with seminars and demos. In 1981 George Koliopoulos tested for Shodan and was also awarded Associate Instructor’s Certificate from the Ki-Aikido Society.

In 1984, Fumio Toyoda Sensei became independent and founded the Aikido Association of America. By then, George Koliopoulos had moved to Greece but was still in close contact with him. In 1987, after consultation with Toyoda Shihan, he decided to make Aikido his life’s work. He then founded the Hellenic Aikido Association (Fukushinkan Dojo), Athens and became it’s Chief Instructor.
In 1990 he was appointed Shidoin for the Aikido Association of America and later the Aikido Association International. He was a member of the teaching and testing committee and also served as Regional Director for East Europe for the Aikido Association International under Fumio Toyoda Shihan.


In 1994, Shihan Fumio Toyoda and the Aikido Association of America were formally recognized to belong to the Aikikai Foundation, Japan. That same year, George Koliopoulos Sensei with recommendations from Shihan Fumio Toyoda was awarded the 5th Dan Certificate from the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Doshu, Kissomaru Ueshiba.
During the period that George Koliopoulos Sensei was Regional Director for the Aikido Association International he not only taught at Fukushinkan Dojo but also traveled extensively throughout Greece, Europe and the United States, conducting seminars and helping to spread Aikido. His simple and clear approach to the art of Aikido as well as his friendly personality made him a popular instructor among his students.
In 1999, the Hellenic Aikido Association became independent with Fukushinkan Dojo as it’s HQ. in Athens and many affiliated Dojos throughout Greece. George Koliopoulos was appointed Technical Director and Chief Instructor for the Hellenic Aikido Association.
On January of 2000 the Hellenic Aikido Association is accepted as an associate member of the United Kingdom Aikikai under Principal William Smith Sensei. George Koliopoulos becomes a member of the United Kingdom Aikikai Technical and Testing Committee. The Hellenic Aikido Association through the United Kingdom Aikikai is affiliated to the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido HQ; Tokyo, Japan.
On April 2006, the Hellenic Aikido Association is recognized by The Aikikai Foundation, Aikido HQ, as an official organization in Greece. 
January of 2008, George Koliopoulos Sensei was promoted to the rank of rokudan ( 6 Dan ) Aikikai Hombu, Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.
Today George Koliopoulos Sensei is actively teaching at Fukushinkan Dojo. He travels regularly throughout Greece conducting seminars and gradings for the Hellenic Aikido Association. He organizes International Aikido Seminars with various Shihans and he is often invited to conduct Seminars and Courses for different Aikido Associations throughout Europe and the United States.


Important Dates and Events
  • 1974 First contact with Aikido and Fumio Toyoda Sensei at Northeastern Illinois University demonstration.
  • 1975 Is appointed Instructor for Northeastern Illinois University Aikido Club.
  • 1981 Tested for Shodan at Tenshinkan Dojo, HQ Aikido Association of America, Chicago examiner Sensei Fumio Toyoda (6th Dan), Shihan Aikido Association of America and was awarded the Associate Instructor’s Certificate.
  • 1982 Received the Instructor’s Certificate from the Aikido Association of America, Shihan Fumio Toyoda.
  • 1986 Founded the Aikido Association of Arcadia, Tripoli, Peloponnese, Hellas.
  • 1987 Shihan Fumio Toyoda establishes cooperation with the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Aikido World HQ Japan, with the intention to establish a formal relationship.Founded the Hellenic Aikido Association, Fukushinkan Dojo, Athens, Hellas.Tested for Nidan at Tenshinkan Dojo, HQ Aikido Association of America, Chicago examiner Sensei Fumio Toyoda (6th Dan), Shihan Aikido Association of America.
  • 1989 Tested for Sandan at Tenshinkan Dojo, HQ Aikido Association of America, Chicago examiner Sensei Fumio Toyoda (6th Dan), Shihan Aikido Association of America.
  • 1990 Was awarded the title of Shidoin from Aikido Association of America.
  • 1991 Tested for Yondan at Tenshinkan Dojo, HQ Aikido Association of America, Chicago examiner Sensei Fumio Toyoda (6th Dan), Shihan Aikido Association of America.
  • 1992 Becomes a member of the Testing and Teaching Committee and assumes the position of Regional Director for East Europe for the Aikido Association International, Shihan F. Toyoda.
  • 1994 Shihan Fumio Toyoda and the Aikido Association of America are formally recognized to belong to the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido World HQ, Japan. George Koliopoulos was awarded 5th Dan from Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo Japan, after recommendations from Shihan Fumio Toyoda.
  • 1999 Hellenic Aikido Association becomes independent with Fukushinkan Dojo HQ in Athens and many affiliated Dojos throughout Hellas.
  • 2000 The Hellenic Aikido Association becomes an associate member of the United Kingdom Aikikai (Shihan William Smith MBE) and is affiliated with the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo Japan. George Koliopoulos Sensei becomes Technical Director for the Hellenic Aikido Association and a member of the Technical and Teaching Committee for the United Kingdom Aikikai.George Koliopoulos Sensei is awarded the title of Shidoin from United Kingdom Aikikai.
  • 2003 The Hellenic Aikido Association with the guidance of Shihan William Smith MBE and the UKA applies for formal recognition from the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido World HQ, Japan.
  • 2006 The Hellenic Aikido Association is formally recognized by Aikikai Foundation, Aikido World HQ, Japan.
  • 2008 January of 2008, George Koliopoulos Sensei was promoted to the rank of rokudan ( 6 Dan ) Aikikai Hombu, Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba. 
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