Eric Graf sensei has received his fifth dan in Aikikai Aikido. The Swiss national (39) is a student of Michele Quaranta sensei and Masatomi Ikeda sensei. Graf is a full-time aikido teacher, manages two dojo, writes books on aikido and gives seminars in Switzerland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Netherlands and other countries. Hereby, Sanshinkai Aikido Utrecht congratulates him!
Also we would like to congratulate Paul Janssen sensei (Sho Shin Aikido Dojo, Amsterdam), Niek Remkes (Amsterdam) and Joe McHugh sensei (Ireland) for receiving their fifth dan. the promotions were announced during the Kagami Biraki ceremony on the 8th of January 2017 in the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. The picture above is from the Aikikai Foundation. Their article with the complete list of promotions in 2016 can be found here.
On Monday 28 July, Annemiek passed her exam for 1st kyu and on Wednesday 30 July, Ernst, Yo-Yi and David passed their shodanexamen. This took place at the summer school in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. 
On Saturday 26 November, Michele Quaranta declared Sander van Geloven 3rd dan aikikai aikido. The examination was in the system of Ikeda sensei, took place during the summer school beginning of August and has been approved by Aikikai Hombu Dojo in September. Sander has also obtained the title of Fukushidoin.