• Jean CIESLAK

Both martial arts, judo and aikido, were taught by Jean Cieslak. He was one of the pioneers of Aikido in France. He was the main student of Tadashi Abe Sensei, himself being the first japanese expert coming in France and also student from the Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

At that time, there were only between 500 and 1000 students in the whole country.

At the start of this discipline in ACBB, there were only 5 students, one of them was Jean Gache.

• Jean GACHE

1962 – 1963 :

Once Noro Sensei came in France, being expert from Tokyo Aikikaï. Noro Sensei used to teach monthly in ACBB club. Simultaneously, he created the Noro Institute, "rue Blanche" in Paris. At that time, Jean Gache becomes his regular student. In this Institute, Jean Gache trained himself very hard under several experts supervision such as:

• Tamura Sensei (nowadays, he is delegate from Tokyo Aïkikai in France; 8th Dan)
• Tada Sensei (Italy)
• Asai Sensei (Western Germany)
• Nagasano Sensei

1964 :

Tamura Sensei settled down at Marseille, he became the official delegates from the NAU (National Aikido Union). Jean Gache kept following regularly Tamura Sensei classes, as such, he became one of his first and most committed students.

1973 :

After Jean Cieslak departed, Jean Gache started to supervise the Aikido class in ACBB.

The classes were led regularly by Jean Gache for nearly.... 35 years!

His rigour approach and his deep knowledge in Aikido teaching were daily demonstrated. It came from more than 40 years intensive and constant practice under the guidance of the greatest japanese Aikido experts.

The results are more than convincing, Jean Gache trained:

• Above 50 black belt (shodan) including
• 9 are 2nd dan (nidan)
• 5 are 3rd dan (sandan)
• 1 is 4th dan (yondan)