Aikido instructor Aviv Goldsmith (left) demonstrates how to take away an attacker's balance by using student Brian Fetter. Fetter punched Goldsmith and Goldsmith moved out of the way and took Fetter's balance.

Date published: 3/14/2006

Spotsylvania martial arts instructor Aviv Goldsmith got a welcome New Year's announcement in an e-mail from Japan.

Goldsmith, chief instructor at the nonprofit Aikido in Fredericksburg, was promoted to fifth-degree black belt or "godan" by Aikido world headquarters.

Aikido is a nonviolent martial art that focuses on self-defense, personal growth and conflict resolution skills.

New Year observances are the most important and most elaborate of Japan's annual events and Aikido, as a traditional martial art, follows suit with its Kagamibiraki Ceremony, which was held Jan. 8. Promotions for advanced black belts are announced only at this once-a-year ceremony. Then certificates are handwritten in calligraphy on special rice paper and dispatched to their recipients around the world.

In addition to technical competency, the major criteria for Aikido ranks include character, teaching experience, training record and service to the local and Aikido communities. The higher the rank, the more rigorous the requirements and the longer the interval before an instructor or "sensei" would be eligible.

"I was extremely honored," said Goldsmith. "The promotion came after just the five-year minimum waiting period since [last advancement]. It's rewarding that my supervising instructors in California and Japan know about the good work that we are doing here in the Fredericksburg area."

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Date published: 3/14/2006