(b. 7 February 1951). 7th dan Aikikai and FFAAA. Began aikido as a child in France. Went to Japan at age 18 and stayed for seven years. Influenced technically primarily by Mitsugi SAOTOME, Seigo YAMAGUCHI and Kisshomaru UESHIBA. Returned to France c. 1976 and established a large following of several thousand students.