The Kokyu Aikido Association
The Kokyu Aikido Association was founded in January 1990 by Sensei James Robinson
In the early days classes were run at St Barnabas church hall on the Hattersley estate in Greater Manchester, as the club grew Sensei Jim wanted to expand the club into his home town of Oldham.
After some years of teaching at various venues he decided to make a living teaching Aikido so with the full support of all the students he leased a unit at Osborn Mill in Chadderton, Oldham.
With the help of his daughter and second founder member Denise Worthington we made the Kokyu Aikido Association a very Family friendly and safe place to be and have fun too.
Sensei’s James and Denise were a fantastic team that other Martial Art Schools tried to emulate, Sensei Robinson being the owner, Principal Instructor, technical advisor and Senior grading officer and Sensei Denise being the Senior Instructor, Grading officer, Resident Sports Therapist. Club councillor and Welfare officer. As highly qualified as we were it wasn’t beneath us to do the cleaning.
Sensei Jim beat two different forms of Cancer in his time, the first was Bladder cancer this one was treated with frequent blood transfusions and cancer treatment.
The second was Stomach cancer this one was treated via major surgery, fortunately the surgeon was able to remove the entire tumour, unfortunately due to his surgery he had to delegate more of the practical side of teaching to myself and other instructors.
In 2009/ 2010 Sensei Jim became poorly again, he became Jaundice and was diagnosed with Calendula Carcinoma a form of liver cancer this is when he decided to retire from teaching, his daughter Sensei Denise taking over as Chief Instructor, Sensei Jim remaining as the School Principal officiating at gradings when he felt well enough.
Sadly, Sensei Jim passed away in November 2014.
The Kokyu Aikido Association lives on under the management of Sensei Denise Worthington 5th Dan.