The Kuopio Aikido Club Tenchikan ry was established in 1982. However, aikido activities in Kuopio began already in 1972 as a division of the Kuopio Judo Club Sakura ry at the initiative of Kai Pelkonen. The founding agreement of the Kuopio Aikido Club Tenchikan ry was signed on December 8, 1980. The founding members were Kai Pelkonen, Jorma Rissanen, and Heli Westman (now Miettinen). Our club has about 50 aikido practitioners, half of which are juniors.
Aikido activities in Kuopio are very active. We organize annually 1-2 international seminars where Finnish aikido teachers come to teach.
Over the years, Tenchikan has had many different instructors. Our club has had coaches such as Jorma Rissanen, Hannu Sarkkinen, Vesa Mäkeläinen, Kai Pelkonen, Hannu Juntunen, Heimo and Hemmo Muhonen, Taisto Haavisto, Matti Lankiniemi, Sisko Turunen (currently Morera), Toni Rikkonen, Toivo Lapinlampi, and Timo Kiviharju.
Our club is a member of the Finnish Aikido Federation and Kuopion Danit ry, which is a cooperative organization for budo and martial arts clubs in Kuopio.
Sami is a long-time trainer and head instructor of the club. Sami's training sessions also include fitness and body care exercises, and good workouts are always guaranteed. In addition to the Friday adult training sessions, Sami also conducts junior training sessions.
Marko is also a long-standing trainer at the club. Good stories and weapon techniques are guaranteed in the training sessions. He is also the club's original Savo native. Marko leads the training sessions on Fridays.
Club instructor Lucas has gathered aikido experience from both Pietarsaari and Turku. Lucas's aikido is soft and flexible, and he can be seen in the teaching rotation on Mondays.
Jenni is from the capital region and has gained experience from the Vantaa area.
You can see Akari Aikido Club's light and relaxed style in during Jenni's training sessions. She leads training sessions on Wednesdays and Sunday mornings.
Mikko, the club's "man of Turku", has started his aikido training under the teachings of Petteri Silenius, 7th dan shihan. Mikko often attends seminars outside the club and brings new perspectives to the techniques. He leads training sessions on Mondays.
Jani organizes classes for adults on Wednesdays and also participates in youth training sessions as a regular instructor for the kids. Jani's workouts are original and usually incorporate something new and challenging for everyone.
Thanks to her diligent training, Jenna completed the kyu exams at a rapid pace. As an instructor, she emphasizes fundamental techniques, thereby presenting challenges even to experienced practitioners. Learning never stops, and you can often find Jenna on the tatami pondering the joys and challenges of aikido.
