Shihan Zühtü Akıllı to Lead a Special Technical Aikido Seminar in Bucharest

October 3–4, 2026 | Bucharest, Romania

On October 3–4, 2026, Dan Aikido Club and Aikido Istanbul, under the supervision of the Romanian Aikido Federation (FRA) will host a special technical seminar in Bucharest led by Shihan Zühtü Akıllı, founder and head instructor of Aikido Istanbul, established in 2003.

The seminar offers practitioners from Romania and beyond a valuable opportunity to train directly under the guidance of an experienced Aikido teacher and to explore the principles and techniques through which Aikido approaches conflict, movement, balance, and interaction.

The seminar is open to practitioners of Aikido as well as those coming from other martial arts, with participants of all ages welcome.

Meet Shihan Zühtü Akıllı

Shihan Zühtü Akıllı has dedicated many years to the study and teaching of Aikido and is the founder of Aikido Istanbul, which he established in 2003.

He holds the rank of 6th Dan Aikido Aikikai, as well as the title of 6th-level instructor and 5th Dan within the Turkish Wushu Aikido Federation. The Türkiye Wushu Kung Fu Federation is responsible for the national framework governing instructor recognition, Dan ranks, and instructor certifications within its system.

Through his teaching, Shihan Zühtü Akıllı has developed Aikido Istanbul into an important center for the practice and teaching of Aikido in Türkiye, with strong international connections and an active exchange with practitioners and organizations from other countries.

His approach to practice places particular emphasis on the technical foundations of Aikido and on understanding the principles behind the movements, not simply reproducing techniques, but exploring how timing, distance, balance, posture, and awareness influence an encounter.

More information about Aikido Istanbul: Aikido İstanbul

A Historic Friendship on the Tatami

The Romanian Aikido Federation and Aikido Istanbul

The relationship between the Romanian Aikido Federation and Aikido Istanbul goes back to 2010.

For more than 16 years, practitioners from Romania and Türkiye have met regularly through technical seminars, international events, and cultural exchanges. What began as a technical connection has developed into a lasting relationship based on mutual respect, friendship, and a shared commitment to the practice of Aikido.

Delegations from Aikido Istanbul have participated in seminars organized by the Romanian Aikido Federation in Romania, while representatives of the FRA have travelled to Istanbul to take part in events hosted by their Turkish partners.

Shihan Zühtü Akıllı has played a central role in this exchange between Romania and Türkiye. His continued involvement in seminars and events organized by the FRA has contributed to strengthening the technical and personal ties between the two communities.

In September 2025, during the international seminar in Bucharest, Maître Dan Ionescu, founder of the Romanian Aikido Federation, awarded Shihan Zühtü Akıllı the rank of 7th Dan FRA.

The moment marked another important chapter in a relationship that has grown through more than a decade and a half of shared practice.

A Seminar Focused on Practice and Exchange

The October 2026 seminar continues this tradition.

Over two days of practice, participants will have the opportunity to study directly with Shihan Zühtü Akıllı, work alongside practitioners from different backgrounds, and explore the technical and strategic principles that make Aikido a distinctive martial art.

A Meeting Point for the Aikido Community in the Balkans

With this seminar, we would also like to open the doors to a wider regional Aikido community.

We warmly invite dojos and practitioners from Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Hungary, and neighboring countries to join us in Bucharest, not only to train, but also to meet, exchange experiences, and create new connections.

In the spirit of the old Balkan gatherings, we hope that this seminar can become a meeting point for practitioners from across the region: a place where different schools, traditions, and approaches can come together on the same tatami.

For us, the value of a seminar extends beyond technical practice. It is also an opportunity to build friendships, discover new perspectives, and strengthen the ties between Aikido communities in our region.

We invite you to join us, meet new friends, and share the tatami in Bucharest.

An Open Invitation to Martial Artists

Aikido is best understood through practice. We therefore warmly welcome practitioners from other martial arts to join us on the tatami, exchange perspectives, and experience the principles of Aikido firsthand.

Meaningful martial exchange begins with practice. Training alongside practitioners from different traditions creates an opportunity to experience Aikido directly, to explore its principles through movement, and to discover both the differences and the common ground shared by martial arts.

Come train with us, share your experience, and discover Aikido through practice.

Seminar Details

Organized by Dan Aikido Club Dan-Aikido