Iwama Veteran Salvatore Named Chief Instructor at Reno Co-Op

RENO - Last month, Vince Salvatore, age 35, moved with his family from Ibaraki, Japan to Reno. Salvatore, originally from New Jersey, was looking for a place to relocate after spending twelve years in Japan, studying Aikido.

On Saturday October 2, you can meet this talented individual at an Open House at the Aikido Co-Op.

"I first met Vince in 1987 in Japan at the Iwama Aikido School, which is the birthplace of Aikido", says Aviv Goldsmith, President of the Aikido Co-Op of Reno. "I was there as an Aikido tourist, just stopping for the day during a trip to Asia. At the time, Vince was one of just four students living at Iwama and training full-time. I was impressed with his enthusiasm and dedication to the art. Since then, I have gone back to Iwama on three separate instances with groups of students to train for several weeks at a time. Each trip, Vince was still there training. As a result, his understanding of the art is tremendous. It’s appropriate that in January he will be promoted to 5th degree black belt – he has earned it."

In April, Salvatore traversed the western United States looking for a place to call home with his wife, Fumie, and son, Alex. He was invited to teach a seminar at Aikido Co-Op of Reno. "When I saw Vince’s precise teaching style and heard he was ready to leave Japan, we quickly extended an invitation to him to move here", says Goldsmith.

Says Salvatore, "When I came to Reno for a few days this April, I was really impressed with the community. Everyone was so friendly and the landscape is really striking. We tried moving back to the States a few years ago (to New Jersey) and that just didn’t work. My Japanese wife really likes it here in Reno and my son (who has lived in Japan since birth) has already made several friends. I am sure the transition will go smoothly".

In August, Salvatore assumed the role of Chief Instructor of the Aikido Co-Op. Salvatore’s teaching style is enthusiastic and full of humor. He says his first martial arts instruction came from watching The Three Stooges!

Yet, he strives to convey Aikido techniques to students in the same manner as his teacher in Japan, Master Morihiro Saito, who has been in Iwama training and teaching since Aikido was developed there 52 years ago. Saito, aged 71, recently visited the U. S. to conduct a seminar for about 300 martial artists from around the globe. Saito used Salvatore as a partner extensively in his demonstrations.

"I am trying to show what Saito Sensei teaches. He is a true master.," says Salvatore. "Aikido as we practice it is rooted in the basics of how to move efficiently and effectively. Once you learn how to move with a partner, you can handle aggressors who are much bigger and stronger than you are. I know. Look at me, I’m just a funny little guy from New Jersey, but because I was in Japan for such a long time and was a senior student, lots of big guys from around the world would try to test me on the mat. It was challenging, but I’m a better Aikidoist today because of that severe practice. Today, I teach people to train by using the techniques properly, not with strength. Anybody can do Aikido, there should be no injuries."

While in Japan, Salvatore studied other martial arts including Judo and boxing. He says, "My favorite event over there is the International Budo Festival held each year. People come from around the world to train with Japan’s greatest martial artists. They are really amazing practioners of a variety of martial arts who have dedicated their lives to budo (the martial arts). I learned quite a lot at these programs and found that my Aikido training prepared me to easily assimilate what instructors of other arts were showing. At one sword workshop, the instructor came over and asked me how long I had studied his style. I was hesitant to admit that it was only for the twenty minutes that he had been conducting the sword seminar! The basic body mechanics that you learn in Aikido are transferable to other martial arts, sports, and even everyday life."

The  October 2 Open House will also celebrate the Aikido Co-Op’s tenth anniversary. The school was founded in Reno in 1989 by Wolfgang Baumgartner, then a 3rd degree blackbelt. When Baumgartner left Reno seven years ago to return to his native Germany, the senior students of the Co-Op worked together to sustain the school by sharing teaching and administrative duties.

The Open House starts at 9 a.m. when Salvatore will teach a class until 10:30. Then, junior and senior students will demonstrate Aikido techniques. A highlight of the day will start at about 11:45 a.m. when two senior students will take their black belt tests. T.J. Blasco of Sparks, who started training as a youth under Baumgartner, will test for shodan. Norm Primmer of Reno will test for second degree black belt. Senior Aikidoists from the Bay Area are expected to travel to participate in the event. The Co-Op will host a lunch for Open House guests and the event will conclude with Salvatore teaching from 2 – 3 p.m.

The Aikido Co-Op of Reno is located at 128 Linden Street in Reno. Call 825-3343 for more information.