Michael Moreno Shihan, 7th Dan Aikikai

Michael Moreno Shihan was born in the United States and moved with his family to Mexico City where he lived for the greater part of his youth. 

In this period he started to practice martial arts along with his father, Miguel Moreno Segura Shihan (R.I.P.) and was a dedicated judo practitioner until a trip to Japan where he first came in contact with Aikido and decided to practice it full time. 

In 1971, they asked Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba (son of Morihei Ueshiba O’Sensei, founder of Aikido) for his authorisation to open a dojo in Mexico. Thus it was in the 70’s when Moreno Shihan and his father established the Mexican Aikido Federation and become the pioneers of Aikido in Mexico. 

Personally invited by Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Moreno Shihan moved to Tokyo where he lived and practiced for several years under the direction of Doshu at the Hombu Dojo of Aikido in Japan.  His main teachers were Masatake Fujita Shihan and Sadateru Arikawa Shihan.

After his return he helped his father to consolidate Aikido in Mexico and together they taught a great number of practitioners and instructors. 

With over 50 years of practice, his great trajectory as an Aikido practitioner has given him international recognition and he is continuously invited to conduct seminars in Europe, United States, Latin America and Australia. 

He travels at least two times a year to Japan to keep his practice up to date and maintain contact with dojos, teachers and students from all over the world. 

Michael Moreno Shihan is currently the Technical Director of the Mexican Aikido Federation (FMAAC) and the American Aikikai Federation (AAF).   In January 2016 Moreno Sensei was awarded the title of  SHIHAN directly from Aikikai Japan.  

At the 2017 Kagamibiraki Ceremony, Moreno Shihan was awarded the title of 7th. Dan by Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.