Also known as

George Paulo Stobbaerts

Description

Georges Stobbaerts (1940–2014) was a Belgian-born, Portuguese-naturalised martial artist, born in Casablanca. He founded the first aikido and kendo dojo in Africa (Budo Club du Maroc, 1962) and was the pioneer who introduced aikido to Portugal in the 1960s, settling in the country in 1971/72 with the Budokan of Portugal dojo in Cascais. He was uchi-deshi of Kiyoshi Nakakura in kendo and iaido, trained judo under Kenshiro Abe, and held 8th dan in aikido from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, which also conferred on him the title of Hanshi and declared his school a Ryu. He founded the TenChi cultural centre in Sintra (1978) and created the Tenchi Tessen art of movement (1985).

Teachers (2)

• 
  Abbe Kenshirō

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Probable

  Probable

  In his 2001 interview Stobbaerts names Kenshiro Abe as his judo master, who also showed him the first elements of aikido; Abe taught judo in Europe in the 1950s-60s where Stobbaerts began his practice.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  In his 2001 interview Stobbaerts names Kenshiro Abe as his judo master, who also showed him the first elements of aikido; Abe taught judo in Europe in the 1950s-60s where Stobbaerts began his practice.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Já há muito tempo que tenho uma ligação com a Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, através de Mestre Kenshiro Abe, grande Mestre de Judo que me mostrou os primeiros elementos do Aikido.”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Georges Stobbaerts (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info
• 
  Nakakura Kiyoshi

  sports_martial_artsKendo Probable

  Probable

  Stobbaerts states in his 2001 interview that he was uchi-deshi of Kiyoshi Nakakura in kendo and iaido, living in the same house as him; a 1970 World Kendo Championships photograph is captioned with Nakakura as his master.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Uchi-deshi (1970)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Stobbaerts states in his 2001 interview that he was uchi-deshi of Kiyoshi Nakakura in kendo and iaido, living in the same house as him; a 1970 World Kendo Championships photograph is captioned with Nakakura as his master.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Fui também uchideshi de Kiyoshi Nakakura Sensei, nas disciplinas de Kendo e Iaido. Era um Hanshi, 9º Dan de Kendo e de Iaido que se casou com Matsuko, filha do Mestre Morihei Ueshiba [...] Foi nessa altura que eu pratiquei com ele, pois segui Nakakura Sensei durante algum tempo”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Georges Stobbaerts (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info

  sports_martial_artsMuso Shinden Ryu Probable

  Probable

  The same interview states Stobbaerts was uchi-deshi of Nakakura in the disciplines of kendo and iaido; Nakakura's iaido was Muso Shinden Ryu, the style he taught at the Yushinkan.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Uchi-deshi (1970)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  The same interview states Stobbaerts was uchi-deshi of Nakakura in the disciplines of kendo and iaido; Nakakura's iaido was Muso Shinden Ryu, the style he taught at the Yushinkan.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Fui também uchideshi de Kiyoshi Nakakura Sensei, nas disciplinas de Kendo e Iaido.”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Georges Stobbaerts (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info

Lineage

• Kendo Nakakura Kiyoshi ← Nakayama Hakudō · 2 generations
• Muso Shinden RyuNakakura Kiyoshi ← Nakayama Hakudō · 2 generations

Ranks (1)

• sports_martial_artsAikidō

  military_tech8 dan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  8th dan in aikido from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, confirmed by Stobbaerts himself in the 2001 interview and dated 1995 by the TenChi Aikido biography.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  Dan-Kyu System (1995)

  granted by Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  8th dan in aikido from the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, confirmed by Stobbaerts himself in the 2001 interview and dated 1995 by the TenChi Aikido biography.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Georges Stobbaerts, tenho 62 anos e actualmente sou 8º dan de Aikido conferido pela Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, cuja sede é em Kyoto no Japão, no mais antigo Dojo o Butokuden que depende directamente da família Imperial.”

  — Entrevista ao Professor Georges Stobbaerts (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000 - Archived)link history info

  “Em 1995 o Mestre Georges Stobbaerts recebe o 8º Dan da Dai Nippon ButokuKai.”

  — Georges Stobbaerts - TenChi Aikidolink history info

  “He was representative for Portugal of the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai (Kyoto, Japan), that granted to him the graduation in Hanshi, 8º Dan and his school was declared a Ryu by the same institution.”

  — Life and Work of Georges Stobbaertslink history info

Students (9)

• person
  Manuel Galrinho

  sports_martial_artsAikidō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Galrinho states in his 2000 interview that he began aikido in 1977 in Setúbal and soon attended Stobbaerts' classes in Cascais and Alcântara; the FPA history confirms he was a student of Stobbaerts.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  location_onBudokan of Portugal badge (1977)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Galrinho states in his 2000 interview that he began aikido in 1977 in Setúbal and soon attended Stobbaerts' classes in Cascais and Alcântara; the FPA history confirms he was a student of Stobbaerts.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Comecei em 1977 em Setúbal, mas muito cedo comecei a frequentar as aulas do Mestre Stobbaerts, em Cascais e Alcântara.”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Manuel Galrinho (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info

  “É dirigida pelo Mestre Manuel Galrinho, 7º dan AAS, que foi aluno do Mestre Stobbaerts.”

  — Jean-Marc Duclos. História do Aikido em Portugal (FPA)link history info
• 
  Leopoldo Ferreira

  sports_martial_artsAikidō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Well-documented student of Georges Stobbaerts from 1972 to 1976, mentioned in both his own 2000 interview and Stobbaerts' interview confirming the teacher-student relationship

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  location_onBudokan of Portugal badge (1972–1976)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Well-documented student of Georges Stobbaerts from 1972 to 1976, mentioned in both his own 2000 interview and Stobbaerts' interview confirming the teacher-student relationship

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “ Eu só conheci o Mestre Stobbaerts, em Agosto ou Setembro de 1972 [...] Portanto, durante anos, os meus fins-de-semana eram passados em Cascais a praticar Aikido. Pratiquei com o Mestre Stobbaerts talvez uns três ou quatro anos.”

  — Entrevista ao Professor Leopoldo Ferreira (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000 - Archived)link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Nessa altura o ambiente no Aikido era muito bom, toda a gente praticava com toda gente, mesmo os alunos da escola do Kobayashi, como o Leopoldo Ferreira, que chegou a ser meu aluno”

  — Entrevista ao Professor Georges Stobbaerts (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000 - Archived)link history
• person
  Carlos Pereira

  sports_martial_artsAikidō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  From interview, direct source. Stobbaerts names Carlos Manuel Pereira as the student who organized and structured aikido in Portugal and calls him the true pioneer.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  From interview, direct source. Stobbaerts names Carlos Manuel Pereira as the student who organized and structured aikido in Portugal and calls him the true pioneer.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “O professor de Aikido era o Carlos Pereira, aluno do Mestre Stobbaerts, o de Karate era o Dr. Fragoso Fernandes, aluno do Dr. Pires Martins, (o introdutor do Karate em Portugal) que era o responsável pelo Karate. Professor de Filosofia, foi uma das pessoas que mais me marcou nas Artes Marciais, pela sua abordagem séria, rigorosa e profundamente empenhada.”

  — Entrevista ao Professor José Araújo (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000 - Archived)link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Foi ele que organizou e estruturou o Aikido em Portugal e considero isso importante. Foram os pioneiros, afinal de contas. O Daniel Laurent não tinha técnica, era cinto amarelo ou laranja, por isso o verdadeiro pioneiro foi o Sr. Engº. Carlos Manuel Pereira.”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Georges Stobbaerts (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info
• person
  Hassan Iddedir

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Probable

  Probable

  Duclos states in his Surya interview that Iddedir was one of Stobbaerts' students with whom he studied judo; the relationship is stated from the perspective of the next generation and details are sparse.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  location_onBudo Club of Morocco badge

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Duclos states in his Surya interview that Iddedir was one of Stobbaerts' students with whom he studied judo; the relationship is stated from the perspective of the next generation and details are sparse.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Estudei o Judo com Mestre Stobbaerts e com um dos seus alunos, Mestre Hassan Iddedir.”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Jean-Marc Duclos (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info
• person
  M'Barek Alaoui

  sports_martial_artsAikidō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Alaoui states in his 2011 Aikido Journal interview that he began aikido in 1957 with European teachers including Georges Stobbaerts in Morocco; Stobbaerts likewise called him one of his students in his 2001 interview. The student-teacher relationship is confirmed from both sides.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  location_onBudo Club of Morocco badge (1957)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Alaoui states in his 2011 Aikido Journal interview that he began aikido in 1957 with European teachers including Georges Stobbaerts in Morocco; Stobbaerts likewise called him one of his students in his 2001 interview. The student-teacher relationship is confirmed from both sides.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Ich begann im Jahre 1957. [...] Ja, da war ein Monsieur Naessens aus Brüssel, sowie Georg Stobbaerts, ebenfalls aus Belgien.”

  — Horst Schwickerath. (2011). Interview - M'barek Alaoui (Aikido Journal, 2011). Aikido Journallink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Um dos meus alunos em Marrocos, M'Barek Alaoui é, por exemplo, o Director Técnico da Federação de Aikido de Marrocos e é sétimo dan Aikikai.”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Georges Stobbaerts (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info
• person
  Emile Metzinger

  sports_martial_artsAikidō Probable

  Probable

  Metzinger began aikido in 1964 in Casablanca according to M'barek Alaoui's 2011 interview, at a time when Stobbaerts ran the Budo Club du Maroc; the AJ interview records that Metzinger and Alaoui left Stobbaerts in 1970 to create the Syu do kan.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  location_onBudo Club of Morocco badge (1964–1970)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Metzinger began aikido in 1964 in Casablanca according to M'barek Alaoui's 2011 interview, at a time when Stobbaerts ran the Budo Club du Maroc; the AJ interview records that Metzinger and Alaoui left Stobbaerts in 1970 to create the Syu do kan.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Emilie Metzinger hat 1964 in Casablanca begonnen Aikido zu praktizieren, er war mit einer Chinesin verheiratet – später wurde auch er Aikidolehrer.”

  — Horst Schwickerath. (2011). Interview - M'barek Alaoui (Aikido Journal, 2011). Aikido Journallink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Ces deux personnes avaient quitté Georges Stobbaerts pour créer leur club.”

  — Horst Schwickerath. (2014). Entretien - Gérard Obellianne (Aikido Journal). Aikido Journallink history info
• 
  Jean-Marc Duclos

  sports_martial_artsAikidō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Duclos began aikido in 1968 in Casablanca with Stobbaerts, continued under Obélianne in Casablanca 1971-73 during Stobbaerts' absence, then resumed with Stobbaerts in Portugal from 1974 until 1998; Stobbaerts awarded him 5th dan. The 34-year master relationship (1964-1998) spans both arts.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  location_onBudo Club of Morocco badge (1968–1971) location_onBudokan of Portugal badge (1974–1998)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Duclos began aikido in 1968 in Casablanca with Stobbaerts, continued under Obélianne in Casablanca 1971-73 during Stobbaerts' absence, then resumed with Stobbaerts in Portugal from 1974 until 1998; Stobbaerts awarded him 5th dan. The 34-year master relationship (1964-1998) spans both arts.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “um estágio de Aikido do Mestre Nobuyoshi Tamura, em Casablanca, Marrocos, onde eu vivia nessa altura, quando de repente Mestre Stobbaerts me interpelou [...] Isto aconteceu em 1968.”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Jean-Marc Duclos (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Vim definitivamente para Portugal em Setembro de 1974. [...] Mestre Georges Stobbaerts e Jean-Marc Duclos, Budokan de Portugal, Cascais, 1975.”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Jean-Marc Duclos (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info

  “O Diretor Técnico actual é o Prof Jean-Marc Duclos que foi aluno do Mestre Stobbaerts de 1968 até 1998.”

  — Jean-Marc Duclos. História do Aikido em Portugal (FPA)link history info

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Duclos states in his Surya interview that he began judo 'more or less in 1964' with Stobbaerts, and that Stobbaerts was his master from 1964 to 1998; judo was the brief early phase before aikido took over in 1968.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  location_onBudo Club of Morocco badge (1964–1968)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Duclos states in his Surya interview that he began judo 'more or less in 1964' with Stobbaerts, and that Stobbaerts was his master from 1964 to 1998; judo was the brief early phase before aikido took over in 1968.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Primeiro comecei pelo Judo, creio que mais ou menos em 1964, com o Mestre Stobbaerts. [...] fazia Judo com o Mestre Stobbaerts. Ele foi meu Mestre de 1964 até 1998, portanto, durante 34 anos.”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Jean-Marc Duclos (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info

  “Começou pelo Judo, creio que mais ou menos em com o Mestre Stobbaerts e com um dos seus alunos, Mestre Hassan Iddedir.”

  — Mestre Jean-Marc Duclos. Aikido Marcial Dôjo Clube link history info
• 
  Gérard Obellianne

  sports_martial_artsAikidō Probable

  Probable

  In his Aikido Journal interview Obellianne states he began aikido in 1967 or 1968 with Georges Stobbaerts, who was obliged to leave Morocco in 1970, at which point Obellianne took over the Budo Club du Maroc.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  location_onBudo Club of Morocco badge (1967–1970)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  In his Aikido Journal interview Obellianne states he began aikido in 1967 or 1968 with Georges Stobbaerts, who was obliged to leave Morocco in 1970, at which point Obellianne took over the Budo Club du Maroc.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “j'ai commencé l'aïkido, je ne sais plus si c'est en 1967 ou 1968, avec Georges Stobbaerts [...] Georges Stobbaerts a été obligé de quitter le Maroc en 1970 pour partir au Portugal, et c'est moi qui ai pris la direction du club, le Budo club du Maroc.”

  — Horst Schwickerath. (2014). Entretien - Gérard Obellianne (Aikido Journal). Aikido Journallink history info
• person
  Daniel Laurent

  sports_martial_artsAikidō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Laurent trained aikido for about four years (reaching 2nd kyu) at the Budo Club du Maroc under Georges Stobbaerts, as stated in the FPA history and confirmed by Stobbaerts in his interview.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  location_onBudo Club of Morocco badge (1962–1966)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Laurent trained aikido for about four years (reaching 2nd kyu) at the Budo Club du Maroc under Georges Stobbaerts, as stated in the FPA history and confirmed by Stobbaerts in his interview.

  “cidadão francês que tinha praticado Aikido durante quatro anos (era então 2º kyu), no "Budo Club du Maroc" em Casablanca (Marrocos), sob a orientação do Mestre Georges Stobbaerts.”

  — Jean-Marc Duclos. História do Aikido em Portugal (FPA)link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Eu tinha um aluno, Daniel Laurent, que era cinto verde ou laranja, já não me recordo, que veio para Portugal trabalhar, ainda antes do 25 de Abril”

  — Pedro Escudeiro. (2000). Entrevista ao Professor Georges Stobbaerts (Pedro Escudeiro, 2000). Surya (Centro de Artes Orientais) linkhistory info

Honours (1)

• receipt_longHanshiHanshi Confirmed

  Confirmed

  georgesstobbaerts.com and the FPA history of aikido in Portugal both state the Hanshi title; the DNBK's own 2006 officials roster independently confirms it from the awarding body's own record rather than either self-published account

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  Title (1995)

  granted by Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  georgesstobbaerts.com and the FPA history of aikido in Portugal both state the Hanshi title; the DNBK's own 2006 officials roster independently confirms it from the awarding body's own record rather than either self-published account

  “He was representative for Portugal of the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai (Kyoto, Japan), that granted to him the graduation in Hanshi, 8º Dan and his school was declared a Ryu by the same institution.”

  — Life and Work of Georges Stobbaertslink history info

  “Era titular do 8º dan de Aikido da organização Dai Nippon Butokukai - DNBK, com o título de Hanshi.”

  — Jean-Marc Duclos. História do Aikido em Portugal (FPA)link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Mr. Georges Stobbaerts, Aikido Hanshi, Representative of Portugal”

  — Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (post-war, International Division). (captured 2006-10-26). Appointed Officials of DNBK International Divisionlink history info

Sources

Identifiers