Henry Ellis Interview

Again I denied this, it was just bloody rubbish, but he would not let go. He kept baiting me, saying: "Yout want to try?" and I said to him: "You know Sensei, the only person troubled by this is you. It is you who are unsure about me, not I about you". So he said: "Let's go outside", and out we went. Outside the pub he put himself in a Aikido posture, so I just stood there as relaxed as possible, and waited. As soon as he came for me, I hit him and put him on the deck. As he went down I dropped and immobilized him with my knee on his neck. At this point he said: "OK, that's enough, let me up" I said: "Is that it? Is this incident finished?" He replied that it was. Well, I'm a very straight man, and if someone say its finished, then for me its finished. So as soon as I let him go, he smacked me straight in the nose and broke it, I was covered in blood and in a bit of a mess. He lost not only my respect, but everyone who had been present. He moved form the area soon after that, and I've never seen or heard of him since.

Finally, Henry, do you have any advice that you would like to offer to Aikido practitioners?

I would urge them to visit other clubs and look at other methods. You don't have to like everyone's Aikido, but if you can take away a little for each dojo you visit, it will make your own Aikido complete. Also I would like to say stay clear or 'fairy' Aikido remember , it's a Martial Art and must work.

Henry, thank you for your time and patience.

My pleasure, and thanks to Pat and you for your hospitality.

Many thanks to Sensei Henry Ellis for allowing us to use this article which was printed in 'Fighting Arts Magazine' For more information on Sensei Henry Ellis check out his web site www.angelfire.com/al/ellisaikido/