Elroy Goliath Sensei awarded the 4th Dan.

Elroy Goliath Sensei successfully tested recently for his 4^th Dan examination during July 2011 in Europe. The examination was conducted by Shihan Yoji Fujimoto (8^th Dan) and took place during the renowned 10-day Yudansha Aikido seminar in the town of Laces, situated in the Alps bordering Italy and Austria.

“The seminar was demanding both physically and technically, with Fujimoto Shihan giving attendants new insight into the basics of so many techniques and in many instances we were even relearning Ai-hanmi Ikkyo (just how humble does this make you after studying Aikido for 17 years). The examination was extremely challenging, with Fujimoto Shihan demanding a continuous effort at the highest level from contenders throughout the seminar. The examination took place over 2 days and one was arguably testing against the best Yudansha in the world today. During the examination, every single technical flaw by the contenders was highlighted by Fujimoto Shihan.

Although this was the third time I took an examination with him (my first test for 3^rd Dan was unsuccessful), I found him a very tough adjudicator and relentlessly unforgiving during this examination, which made the successful outcome and finally receiving the Yondan from Sensei so much more gratifying. My learnings and experiences from Sensei at Laces 2011 will certainly live in me and with my students for many years to come. Mille Grazie Maestro!!” - Sensei Elroy Goliath.