Sensei Firestone was born in 1980 and started practicing martial arts at the young age of 8 years old, where he went to Judo. The club stopped running so his mother sent him to the Karate class. He rose through the ranks and achieved his 2nd Dan in 1998.

After ten years of training hard Sensei Firestone knew there must be a higher level, something more to achieve than punching and kicking. When he saw a poster for Aikido, it intrigued him. His first class was very memorable to him. The teacher Sensei Andrew, threw him to the ground and he had never felt so much power before. From that day he never looked back. Joining the Ki Federation in 1999 and then following Aikido UK in 2000.

He became Sensei Andrew’s Otomo (assistant), travelling to and from the dojo with his teacher. By spending time with his Sensei on and off the mat he was able to learn not just the technical aspects of Aikido but the true essence of Ki in daily life, which his teacher had mastered.

Sensei Firestone’s teaching career started in 2003; where he began teaching juniors at Parklands Country Club under the guidance of his teacher. In 2004 he opened up the Kelvin Hall Aikido Club, which has now a variety of Kyu and Dan grades.

Sensei Andrew awarded him his 4th Dan in 2010, and Sensei Dunne awarded him his 5th Dan in 2023.

Sensei Firestone has been practicing Iaido since 2018 and holds the rank of 1st Dan and continues training in the art Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido

Martial arts qualifications

5th Dan Aikido

2nd Dan Karate

1st Dan Iaido

If you have any questions or would like more information about our classes, please get in touch:

• E-mail: rfirestone@aikido-uk.com

• Mobile: 07792 389 116

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