Читать книгу Complete Aikido. Aikido Kyohan: The Definitive Guide to the Way of Harmony онлайн

23 страница из 78

It is interesting to note that one of Suenaka’s earliest schoolyard sparring partners was Paul Fujii, a good friend from, as Suenaka puts it, their “hanabata” days (literally, “nose butter,” or runny-nosed toddler days) through high school. Suenaka recalls brawling with Fujii “practically every day,” beginning in kindergarten in 1945, though less, of course, as they grew older. Eighteen years later, Fujii defeated Sandro Lopopolo of Italy to win the world junior welterweight boxing title. Even at such an early age, Suenaka’s training was world-class.

This early training also had an unexpected, though very welcome, additional benefit. As Suenaka grew older and his training increased in frequency and intensity, his asthma attacks decreased until, at age twenty-one, they ceased entirely, never to return. Although puberty no doubt played a role, Suenaka unhesitatingly credits his training with the cure, particularly the constant ibuki breathing exercises and intense misogi (ritual purification and meditation) sessions.