Antonios Pavlakis holds a third degree black belt - 3rd dan - (sandan so-Hombu Fukushidoin 副指導員) and is the chief instructor in the Leicester Aikikai dojo.

He started aikido in 1997 at the De Montfort University Aikido Club in Leicester under the instruction of Dave Lenton sensei (4th dan).

In 2009, when Adoni received his teaching qualifications be became an assistant instructor at the DMU Aikido club and in May 2013 he started Leicester Aikikai dojo - 栄明館 レスター 合気道 道場

He gets regular tuition from Philip Smith shihan (7th dan) from Ren Shin Kan dojo.

He also practices with other aikikai organisations including Mei Jyu Kan from British Birankai (BB) and Leicester Aikido from the British Aikido Federation (BAF).

Adoni often travels both nationally and internationally to attend aikido classes and over the years has practiced with N. Tamura shihan, T.K. Chiba shihan, J. C. Aegerter shihan, C. Tissier shihan, Ian Grubb shidoin, Y. Kobayashi shihan, E. Katsurada shihan as well as the present Doshu and Hombu Dojo-Cho.

As a qualified instructor, he has a Sports England teaching qualification (Coaching Level 2 - CL2) and a First Aid.

photo credit: Sean Pritchard 2016

Marketa Pavlakis started aikido in the Aikido LOKO Trutnov club as part of Czech Federation of Aikido in 2000 under the instruction of Roman Stoklasa (4th Dan).

After a break, she continued with her practice in the UK. Today she practices in Leicester Aikikai dojo and Ren Shin Kan dojo (both UKA) and also in Mei Jyu Kan (BB).

In 2014 she was awarded 1st Kyu and started her preparation for her Shodan which, however, was postponed due to a pleasant responsibility of becoming a mum. Nevertheless, in 2016 she received her teaching qualifications and became an assistant instructor in Leicester Aikikai.

As a qualified instructor, she has a Sports England teaching qualification (Coaching Level 1 - CL1) and a First Aid.