2026 Kagamibiraki Promotions

We are excited to share the following New Year's promotions for 2026, which were just announced at the kagamibiraki ceremony at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. And a special congratulations to USAF Technical Committee member Andrew Demko Shihan, New Castle Aikikai, for receiving 8th dan from Doshu.

Click here to view Aikikai Foundation's official kagamibiraki list.

5th Dan:

Norman Brodeur - Aikikai de l'Universite Laval

Sergio Cuevas - Palm Beach Aikikai

Jerry Dewees - Twin Cities Aikido Center

Alan Fishbone - New York Aikikai

Rejean Gauthier - Aikikai de l'Universite Laval

Marcel Gonzalez - Aikido of Miami

Vincent Hauser - Violet Crown Aikikai

Reynold Hoyte - New York Aikikai

Christopher Kerin - Aikido of Fairfield County

Josnei Macedo Dias - Instituto Makoto de Aikido

Gorman Miller - Sand Drift Aikikai

Glenn Murray - Aikido Center of Atlanta

Andrew Obeidy - Florida Aikikai

Charn Pennewaert - Newport Beach Aikikai

Bob Reister - Florida Aikikai

Vidhya Rojanavongse - New York Aikikai

Nicholas Ross - Woodstock Aikido

Michael Silverman - Asheville Aikikai

Tinka Sloss - Aikido of Santa Barbara

Brian Sykes - North Coast Aikikai

Masashi Umemoto - Aikido of Charlotte

Tommy Lee White - Open Sky Aikikai

Krzysztof Zawadzki - Aikido of Fairfield County

6th Dan:

Maite Azcoitia - Gold Coast Aikikai

Ronald Cadillo-Chavez - San Juan Aikikai

Maurits Filet - Florida Aikikai

Arturo Fisher - New York Aikikai

Laura Gabbe - Aikido of Park Slope

Alan Gay - Savannah Aikikai

Kali Hewitt-Blackie - Woodstock Aikido

Joel Leffert - Woodstock Aikido

Anthea Pascaris - Notting Hill Aikikai

Juan Sampayo-Sarraga - San Juan Aikikai

Robert Vichins - Aikido of Park Slope

Jonathan Weiner - Aikido of Charlotte

8th Dan:

Andrew Demko - New Castle Aikikai