Instructors

Head Instructor

Despina Kyriacou, 6th Dan Shidoin (registered senior instructor of the British Aikido Federation). Coach Level 3 Instructor.

Before Aikido she trained seriously in the Chinese art of Tai Chi Chuan for seven years under the instruction of Master Chu (Yang Style, long form) and Chi Chung. After the club closed, Despina discovered the Japanese martial art of Aikido.

Her training began in February 1988, under the instruction of Minoru Kanetsuka Shihan (8th Dan). She started the Aikido club in 2000 and has been teaching in the East End of London since then.

As an instructor, Despina goes on regular weekend Aikido courses throughout the United Kingdom with other senior instructors in British Aikido Federation and has taught on courses herself.

Assistant Instructors

Jimmy Hayes, 2nd Dan Aikikai
Jimmy began his Aikido journey in 2011 at Whitechapel Aikido with Despina Kyriacou Sensei and has been her student ever since. Through her instructions and guidance, Jimmy has attained the rank of Nidan (2nd Dan) with the British Aikido Federation (BAF).

In addition to his regular training, Jimmy participates in various Aikido courses throughout the UK including the annual BAF Summer School.

Antonio Payà Camino, 2nd Dan Aikikai
Antonio began Aikido at the age of 20, in 1999 at the Aikido Club of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), Spain, under the instruction of Ezequiel Matías Sensei. Later, he continued his training with Joaquín Jiménez Puerto Sensei. During this time, he attended numerous seminars led by Eamonn Devlin Sensei and Janet Clift Sensei.

In 2013, he traveled to London, where he continued his training in several dojos, eventually practicing and learning with the British Aikido Federation (BAF) under the guidance of Despina Kyriacou Sensei.

Marcel Santiko, 2nd Dan Aikikai
Marcel began training in 2007 at the Warwick University Aikido Club (Gen Sen Jyuku) and Ei Mei Kan Dojo under Chris Mooney Shihan. Through Mooney Sensei's teachings, Marcel follows the Aikido, weapons curriculum, and training traditions of T.K. Chiba Sensei.

After moving to London, Marcel spent several years focusing on his career. He returned to regular training in 2023 at Whitechapel Aikido Dojo with Despina Kyriacou Sensei.