Takeno Sensei performs at the 51st All Japan Enbu – Aikido, Japan.

While Takeno Sensei never taught the 16th international Senshusei, I met him a number of times. Ronen and I were told by the one of the Sewanin at the 51st All Japan Enbu (this video) that if Takeno Sensei knocked out his uke, we should drag him or her off the mats, and take uke’s place. Thankfully uke survived and, therefore, so did we! There are a number of stories about Takeno Sensei in the book – both funny and scary! Arguably one of the toughest martial arts courses in the world and described as 11 months of hell, the international Yoshinkan Aikido Senshusei course is the subject of the book – Suck It Up Or Go Home – A True Story About The Courage To Stand Up, Keep Going And Never Give In! The book charts the author’s early life from being bullied at school to the Muay Thai ring and to Tokyo, Japan. More than just a book on martial arts, it contains life lessons on courage, discipline and the determination to keep going, no matter what. Available on Amazon worldwide: