Schweriner Aikido students gain the black belt-a big day!

Schweriner Aikido students gain the black belt-a big day!

Schwerin, Deutschland - A harmonious coexistence that is characterized by body control and intellectual training: In the Aikido School of Pierre Congard in Schwerin, several test subjects can now look forward to their first master degree, the 1st Dan. June 27, 2025 is a memorable day for the new wearers of the black belt. Among the graduates is the 51-year-old Katrin Brandner, who has been pursuing her passion for Aikido since 2017. She emphasizes that she prefers the Japanese martial art to yoga because she helps her switch off.

With Brandner, other test subjects have successfully passed the challenge of the 1st Dan: Gerda Hecht, Jochen Bellmann, Jörg Moses and Jörn Philips. For 20-year-old Gerda, Aikido is not just a sport, but a personal way of self-discovery, because competitions are not in demand here. Former handball player Jörg Moses describes Aikido as a "beautiful way of moving," while Jochen Bellmann emphasizes the importance of tradition and history in this martial art.

behind the scenes of the Dojos

The exams were taken from Toshiro Suga, a renowned teacher who taught Pierre Congard himself. Suga, who gained international fame in the late 1970s through his role in the James Bond film "Moonraker", will return in November to present their documents to the new Dan carriers. Congard, a carrier of the 6th Dan, is proud of the success of his students and has been teaching his knowledge in Schwerin for over 30 years.

Pierre Congard, who begins to learn Aikido in 1978 in Brest, founded his own dojo in Schwerin in 1993. He had previously studied at Toshiro Suga, a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. This modern Japanese combat system combines elements from various martial arts and emphasizes peace and harmony, as can be read on Koryu-budo.jp . Aikido literally means "the path of harmony with the spirit" and promotes non -violent conflict resolution.

a lively aikido community

Pierre Congard is not only the technical manager of the Free German Aikido Association, but also ensures the spread of this movement-oriented philosophy in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. He has given over 100 Aikido demonstrations and is actively involved in social projects such as "sport instead of violence". His students, of whom 17 already teach themselves, have founded their own dojos in Germany, France and Norway, which speaks for the good network within the Aikido community.

The recent success of the course participants in Schwerin is not only a reason to celebrate, but also a sign of the continuing popularity of these martial arts practiced in many places. The celebration after the training on Friday gave the new Dan carriers the opportunity to celebrate their successes properly and to strengthen the strong community in dojo.