[Finkevannon]

That debate about aikidoka being one who is a professional teacher of aikido has been floating around since before aikiweb had forums. IMO it's just aikido people being a bit poncy (as often happens sadly) and indulging in some sort of snobbish sensei deification on a small level. 'I'm not an aikidoka, I couldn't be because I'm not good enough unlike a full time professional like my teacher.... see how I worked in a mention of how great my teacher is there? I'm his student don't you know. Did I mention he's great and how really very humble I am by not referring to myself as an aikidoka?'

Twats.

I asked a native Japanese speaker if it was ok to call myself an aikidoka after reading about this stuff on aikido-l, years ago. She seemed to think it was fuss over nothing and it was ok to call myself an aikidoka. Good enough for me.

Mike