Nicolas Cachet, 26, is a computer technician. He has praticed Aikido for 5 years.
 
What has led you to practice a martial art & Aikido in particular ?
I had been interested in martial arts for quite some time. At one point I decided I wanted to try my hand at it, and Aikido had the most convenient times of practice. So I bgan Aikido by chance, and I'm still practicing because I now enjoy it. Besides,I fond it much easier to fit in individual "sports" than in a team one. That has never been easy for me.
 
Had you practiced another martial art before ?
I played football when younger and I stopped when I left home for college.
 
What makes Aikido special for you ?
There is no opposition. You don't have to confront directly your opponent's strength but you duck and change the course of the attack to throw it back at him. You don't have to actually use physical strength, because the important thing is your technique.
 
Has your gender – height – weight... ever been a problem?
Well, a bit of both, I suppose. Height can be to your advantage on some techniques and be a problem you on others. (185 cm, 80kg - 5 ft 2, about 12 stone). Yo have to learn how to use your own body.
 
What is the importance of grades to you ?
It depends on how they are attributed. They allow you to estimate your progress and to make it more tangible. However, they are not to be pursued for themselves and should not be your main preoccuppation. I think it useless to work just to get a higher grade. A grade should testify to your hard work, and that's it.
 
What does weapon practice mean in your practice ?
I like to do some, not too often though. It helps because you can see the parallels with bare-handed techniques which come from weapon practice.
 
Do you wish to teach ? Why ?
Not for the moment. I haven't really thought about it actually.
 
No competition in Aikido: do you miss it ?
I don't think it's a problem in Aikido. Competition would change many things, because it asks for fitness so that there would be things in Aikido training that could deter our attention away from the techniques, like working on your endurance or even lifting weights. I don't really have a competitive spirit, anyway.
 
What would you say to someone who would like to try Aikido or to a beginner?
Never lose your heart and practice at your own pace.
 
Any special dream in your martial practice ?
Just to get better, at my own pace.

Thank you
August 2004