Yūdansha List

Ariff Mehter Sensei

Rank: Rokudan, Shihan

Mehter Sensei began studying Aikido in 1962 in Myanma (Burma) under U. Thaung Din who was a senior student of Murashige Sensei, one of the first instructors O'Sensei sent outside of Japan to teach Aikido.

In 1968 Mehter Sensei moved to New York to study Chemical Engineering at Syracuse University and became a student of Kanai Sensei (8th Dan, Shihan) and Yamada Sensei (8th Dan, Shihan). He founded Aikido of Central New York in 1970, which is still headed by his brother, Yousuf Mehter (6th Dan).

Mehter Sensei moved to Ashland, KY in 1978 where he started the KYOWVA Aikikai, now headed by Tom Berry (4th Dan). Then in 1989, he moved to Louisville, KY where he recieved an MD from the University of Louisville and started the Kentuckiana Aikikai, now headed by Pat Hardesty (5th Dan).

In 1998 he moved to Northern KY and began teaching at Aikido of Cincinnati. He is a physician board Certified in Family Practice and Practices Occupational Medicine for the City of  Cincinnati.  His wife, Angela Lotito-Mehter, holds the rank of Nidan (2nd Dan).

Ariff Mehter Sensei currently holds the rank of Rokudan (6th Dan) and is a Shihan.

Charlie McGinnis Sensei

Rank: Rokudan, Shidoin, Dojo Cho

McGinnis Sensei began his training in 1976 in Yoshinkai Aikido at the University of Toledo. He trained under Masatoshi Morita (currently 8th Dan, in San Francisco). After completing training in the kenshu program taught by Takashi Kushida, 8th Dan, he received his assistant instructor certification. In 1982 he was promoted to Nidan.

In 1984 McGinnis Sensei moved to Cincinnati and began training at Aikido of Cincinnati, then known as the Cincinnati Aikikai. He became a student of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan of the USAF in 1986. In the same year McGinnis Sensei became the head instructor of Aikido of Cincinnati. Currently he holds the rank of Rokudan (6th Dan) and is certified as a Shidoin instructor through the United States Aikido Federation. McGinnis Sensei serves as Chairman of the United States Aikido Federation.

Charlie McGinnis Sensei is married to Charlene Morse. He earns his living as an attorney, practicing in the areas of probate, estate planning, and personal injury matters with the firm of Freking & Betz, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.  

Rank: Godan, Fukushidoin

Gary Bushorn Sensei

Bushorn Sensei is one of the most senior members of Aikido of Cincinnati, joining the dojo in 1984. His flowing style and home spun philosophy make him a favorite instructor among the students.

Susan Monroe Sensei

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Rank: Yodan

Walter Oka Sensei

Paul Francis Sensei 

Rank: Sandan, Fukushidoin

Rachel Massey - currently training in Michigan

Rank: Sandan

Stephen Leigh  Sensei
Michael Malmer Sensei
Shawn Dansby Sensei
Mark Agerton Sensei
Michael Cundall- currently training in Louisiana

Leigh-Anne Plattner Sensei 

Rank: Nidan

Paul Schulte*
Marc Comisar
Lennell Myricks Jr.*
Sean Raisor
Joni Torsella*
Angela Lotita Mehter
Pat Patton Sensei

Danny Dean Sensei

Ralph Stanley Sensei
Steve Plattner
Annunziata Tomaro
Eric Vollrath- currently training in Minnesota  

Rank: Shodan

Elaine Dorsa*
Junko Agerton*
Pete Harris
Tibor Farkas
John Lanning - currently training in Louisiana
Humberto Servin*
Joe Lunn* 

Gene Sowles Sensei
Mark Buschle
Brant Ulsh Sensei
Jeff Byron
Larry Rytel
David Berger
David Eberhardt
Gary McIntosh 

Tobias Weiss

Richard McKeever Sensei
Charles Ellis Sensei
Christopher Hawke
Hector Wong
Porter Walker
Nathan Montoya
Ruth Benander

Yoko Nomura
John Deuchler- currently training in Missouri
Casey Ryan- currently training in New York
David Cole
Charles Levine