The history of aikido in Hungary

This document is heavily based on the dissertation by Laszlo Toth (1997)

In the 1960’s, the only officially acknowledged martial art in Hungary was judo. Judo in Hungary was highly successful, with experts such as Ferenc Gyebnar and Ferenc Galla performing well at competitions, even publishing books. In order to improve themselves they also studied Japanese culture and other martial systems through which books about karate, kungfu and aikido were brought into the country

The first club where aikido was also studied was founded in the 1970’s, as a judo club. They tried to bring aikido to the country together with jujitsu. The leaders were Rudolf Varszegi and Gyula Bodnar.

Independently, a self defence club in Sutto utca, Budapest was founded in 1976 where certain elements of aikido were also taught. It was here where Laszlo Elsner (current head of Aikido Foundation, Hungary, currently holding 6th dan Aikikai) met aikido techniques for the first time.

In 1981, Michel Gollo a Congo-born aikidoka who held a 1st kyu in aikido and had learned from Japanese masters arrived in Hungary to study at the Zalka Mate Military College. Laszlo Elsner and Michel Gollo met here first at a self-defence demonstration. Together they began holding aikido trainings in January 1981. They were training 6 students at the Youth Centre, without any tatami (mats) at all. The hard circumstances they often faced (sometimes they trained on tarmac) did not lower their determination to train hard. After the leaving of Michel Gollo for the Kossuth Lajos Military College, Laszlo Elsner took over the aikido trainings. He, after finishing his studies, moved to Tata. He opened aikido clubs in 1983 in Tardosbanya and, in 1984, in Tata.

In 1984, the two clubs, mentioned in the previous paragraphs, which existed independently until 1984, held an aikido demonstration at the Fenyves Grill restaurant in Tata. The demonstration was lead by Michel Gollo, also participated Rudolf Varszegi and Laszlo Elsner.

As a result of discussions at the above event, the Hungarian Aikido Federation (Magyar Aikido Szovetseg) was born in 1985, chaired by Rudolf Varszegi. In this year, the Federation made contact with the Austrian Aikido Federation whose two 2nd dan masters, Karin Strobl and Gunter Steger, helped the Hungarians to improve their techniques to internationally recognisable level. At the end of this year, Hungarian aikidoka managed to attend an international seminar at the Matsumu Budo Center in Wien, Austria. The seminar was held by Tamura Nobuyoshi 8th dan master. The Hungarian delegation was even interviewed by the local television.

In 1986, the first international one week long training camp was held in Hungary, in Tata. Trainings were held by Strobl and Steger senseis and by the end of the week, Tamura Nobuyoshi’s student Yoshida Junichi (4th dan) also arrived. Here, the first dan grading in Hungary took place with Rudolf Varszegi, Gyula Bodnar and Jozsef Horvath being awarded 1st dan.

In 1987, another one week training camp was held by and English master, Michel Narey of 5th dan. Four students – Peter Botka, Jozsef Katona, Szabolcs Gollob and Laszlo Elsner – successfully graded for 1st dan. In this year, two other masters, Italian Giorgio Veneri and Belgian Jean Dedobbeleer, also visited the country.

In February 1988, Tamura sensei first visited Hungary. He kept doing so in each year for many years.

In 1990, Christian Tissier 5th dan lead a seminar.

In 1991, Heinz Patt 4th dan held a seminar in Budapest. In July, a one week training camp headed by Tamura and Narey senseis was held in Keszthely, with 500 participants. This was the first time Tamura sensei lead a one week seminar in Europe. From this year on, several masters visited the country every year. Also in this year, the Hungarian Aikido and Aikibudo Federation (abbr. as MAASZ) was born.

In 1992, the newly founded MAASZ successfully invited Fujita Masatake 8th dan Hombu, Tokyo to Hungary.

In 1993, Tamura sensei visited the country in February, Yokota sensei (6th dan) in March, and Fujita sensei in December.

In the years from 1994 to 1996, Tamura, Yokota and Fujita senseis visited the country each year, joined by Ikeda Masatome sensei (7th dan) who lived in Switzerland.

In 1996, the Hungarian Aikido Foundation was founded by Michel Gollo.

By 1997, five aikido organizations existed in the country, spreading the teachings of Aikido.