Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

NEWS & EVENTS

Remembering the legacy of Kevin Choate Sensei

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Kevin Choate Sensei (1953-2012) who was chief instructor and dojo-cho of Chicago Aikikai from 1981 until his passing is being remembered in-person and online this month.

Boulder Aikikai is hosting “Continual Evolution,” a seminar “inspired by Kevin Choate Sensei” on November 13-15. Instruction will be led by Gary Marks (Denver, CO) and Kraig Rice (Santa Barbara, CA), two former members of Chicago Aikikai who studied under Choate Sensei, and Ayhan Kaya (Instanbul, Turkey), who was one of Choate Sensei’s colleagues and longtime admirers. Registration is $100.

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Chicago Aikikai also uploaded a new playlist of videos of Choate Sensei to its YouTube channel on November 2. Titled “Kevin Choate Sensei in Russia (2011), this playlist features several videos containing uncut footage of Choate Sensei teaching seminars in Russia in 2011 (one year before his passing).

 

Keiko and Coffee – Neighborhood Sponsored Free Intro Class

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Chicago Aikikai is having a special sponsorship for class at 10:00 am on Sunday, November 1. Anyone coming for a free intro will receive a coupon for a 25% off drink at nearby Our Mutual City Coffee Company. The class and offer are posted on both our Facebook page and Eventbrite.

Please also enjoy this short promo video we have created for what will hopefully be the first of such partnerships.

 

 

 

Wendy Whited Sensei inducted into Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame

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On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the late Wendy Whited Sensei (1952-2021) was inducted into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame at the organization’s 19th annual banquet (held in conjunction with inductions for the 8th Annual Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame).

The founder and chief instructor of Inaka Dojo in Beecher, Illinois was a longtime friend, colleague and supporter of Chicago Aikikai, having trained there from the mid-1970s (when it was still Illinois Aikido Club), and attended and taught seminars throughout the 80s, 90s and 2000s.

Members of Chicago Aikikai, Inaka Dojo and KoFu Dojo (which she co-founded and taught at) were in attendance. Daniel Pierson who received training and guidance from Whited Sensei at Inaka, received the Hall of Fame Award and spoke on behalf of Inaka Dojo and its students (current chief instructor Kay Sandacz Sensei was traveling in Japan).

Please enjoy this tribute video specially prepared for the occasion.

Giving Tuesday is right around the corner!

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Help Chicago Aikikai maintain 65+ years of training in Japanese martial arts

Chicago Aikikai, established 1963 as Illinois Aikido Club and the Midwest’s oldest dojo (studio) for the Japanese martial art of Aikido, is fundraising for a new long-term space for Aikido training.

This Giving Tuesday (December 1, 2026), donate to the Kevin Choate Sensei Memorial Building Fund so we might raise $250,000 in order to secure, move into, and build out a dojo suited to offering high-quality training and honoring the traditions of our art.

The fund, named after the late Kevin Choate Sensei (Chief Instructor from 1981-2012), has so far collected $77,078.00 since its March 2025 launch. Please include us in your 2026 giving plans so we can reach our goal.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Does your company have a matching program?

Please consider using the match to augment your contribution to Chicago Aikikai. Every dollar matters! Check with your employer today.

Support us with a purchase

You can also support Chicago Aikikai by visiting our Etsy store and purchasing a T-shirt or one of our new paintings made using pieces of the canvas that used to cover our training mats.

What your support means

Chicago Aikikai is currently subletting from Choyokan Kendo Dojo and 606 Karate & Self-Defense. Securing our own long-term space would help us offer the following:

Chicago Aikikai (Illinois Aikido Club) is a 501(c)3, organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. All donations are fully tax deductible in the USA and may be deductible in other countries as a charitable donation. Please check with your tax advisor.

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Wendy Whited Sensei to be inducted into Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame

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The Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame has announced that it will posthumously induct Wendy Whited Sensei (1952-2021), founder of Inaka Dojo – Beecher Aikikai and senior instructor of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) at its 19th annual banquet on Saturday, October 24.
The banquet, which will also serve as the 8th Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame induction, will recognize 20 athletes, teachers and practitioners for their achievements and contributions to boxing and martial arts. Past inductees include Illinois Aikido Club founding member Joe Takehara Sensei in 2017, and late Chicago Aikikai chief instructor Kevin Choate Sensei in 2019.
The banquet will be held at Carlisle Banquets, 435 Butterfield Road, Lombard, IL 60148. Daniel Pierson will be representing Inaka Dojo. Please contact him at splatonthemat@gmail.com if you are interested in attending.