MICHEL BÉCART SHIHAN
Michel Bécart, Shihan 7th dan aikikai of Tokyo, dojo Chaumont, Paris 19, France.
Born on July 13, 1946 in Lille (France). In 1954 his parents move to Paris. Michel Bécart began training in Japanese martial arts at the age of 12. He studied jujutsu judo with Master Philippe Jully. It was during a demonstration given by Mr. Delforge and Mr. Dunière, that Michel Bécart first discovered aikido.
In 1964, at the age of 18, he started his aikido training with Master Masamichi Noro at his dojo in Paris. From student, Michel Bécart rapidly became student-instructor and then instructor.
Masamichi Noro, right, with Michel Bécart (Uke), in 1970 at the Marcadet Palace, Paris 18th arrondissement (France)
Michel Bécart, young instructor at Paris dojo of Masamichi Noro in 1971.
At the Noro Institute, Noro Sensei’s school in Paris, Michel Bécart met Masters Tamura and Chiba. Michel Bécart’s aikido was strongly shaped by all three experts Noro, Chiba and Tamura (all direct students of O Sensei) whose teachings he closely followed during his formative years. In 1972 he met Yamada Sensei, also a direct student of O Sensei. Michel Bécart often followed Yamada Sensei's teachings in France, Europe and the United States.
Nobuyoshi Tamura, right, with Michel Bécart (Uke) at the INSEP in 1978 (Paris, France)
Nobuyoshi Tamura, right, with Michel Bécart (Uke), in 1990
Michel Bécart also studied aikido under other masters, including Kobayashi, Hikitsuchi, and Arikawa. Alongside his aikido training, Michel Bécart studied other martial arts such as iaido, iaijutsu, and kenjutsu.
In the early seventies he joined the French Cultural Association of Aikido (ACFA), which later became the National Aikido Union (UNA in French) and the French Federation of Aikido and Budo (FFAB). He was National Technical Delegate (DTN), and trained numerous black belts and instructors.
From 1973 to 1980 he was put in charge of the aikido instructor training program in the INSEP (the National French Sports Institute that trains PE teachers and elite athletes) in Paris, and was a key figure in the harmonisation of aikido practice in France.
He became an aikido professional in 1979 and created his dojo, the ACNA, in June 1980.
In June 2013 Michel Bécart and the ACNA left the FFAB.
Chiba Senseï and Michel Bécart
Chiba Sensei, right, with Michel Bécart, in 1999, at a seminar in Méjannes Leclap, France
Yamada Sensei at the ACNA in 2011
On January 8th 2012, Michel Bécart was awarded the title of Shihan by the Hombu Dojo and on January 12th, 2014 he became 7th Dan Aikikai. The diploma was given to him by the Doshu in his home, in Tokyo and in the presence of Yamada Sensei.
Today he teaches aikido in Paris at the ACNA. He is technical advisor and 7th Dan of the Belgian Federation of Aikido, recognized by the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. He regularly organizes Aikikai Dan grading exams and conducts seminars in France and abroad.
On April 1st, 2016 the ACNA was officially recognized by the Hombu Dojo, the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
