In the mid-70's another judo dojo known as Judoka Inc., located in Englewood Colorado, invited Sensei Tanaka to develop another aikido group. This club has grown into the present Colorado Aikido Association practicing in two locations.
Sensei Tanaka was instrumental in providing the encouragement to the Waseda University Aikido Team Captain and his kata partner to visit Colorado during the mid-70's. Mr. Haba and Mr. Yoshano conducted a kata and competitive aikido clinic for the Colorado students during their visit. They were treated to many outings and tours by the students, but this didn't seem to make a dent in their boundless energy.
Soon after the visit by the Waseda Team representatives, Sensei Tanaka was promoted to Godan by his Sensei Professor Tomiki. Professor Tomiki was then planning to visit Tanaka's dojos in Colorado, and several months of preparations were made. Everyone was highly disappolnted when the Professor Professor passed away suddenly in December 1979 and we all lost this once-in-a lifetime opportunity.
Tomiki Aikido has been demonstrated by Sensei Tanaka in many locations. He has always been willing to share his enthusiasm for martial arts with groups large and small. The most repeat performances have been at the Sakura Square Cherry Blossom Festival where he and his students have performed for more than 16 years. Demonstrations have been performed for school cultural festivals, karate tournaments, Lions Clubs gatherings & many other groups over the years.
In the 80's Sensei Tanaka was joined by Greg Linden who had been studying Tomiki Aikido in Chicago. Greg brought a big boost to the students and Sensei Tanaka with his fresh experience in competitive aikido, having just returned from matches in Japan. Greg's developing network of Tomiki Aikido contacts was brought into action in 1987 to help sponsor a clinic to be conducted that summer by Nariyama Sensei. Tomiki Aikido took on a new dimension in the late 80's when kata & competitive alkido teams were developed under Tanaka Sensei's direction to participate in the 1st International Sports-Aikido Festival held in Japan in 1989.
In 1989, Tanaka Sensei was honored by his peers in Japan when he was promoted to Rokyudan. His dedication to his Tomiki Aikido was recognized again that year when he was asked to participate in the further development of Japan Aikido Association-USA. With his increased involvement, the Association certainly flourished.
Early in 1990, the Colorado Tomiki Aikidoka were given a treat when 5 aikidoka from Japan visited the Colorado Aikido Association's Englewood dojos to conduct clinics. The group, from a similar dojo in Imabari, Japan, demonstrated the speed and agility that can be developed through daily competitive training. Also during that year, Tanaka Sensei enjoyed the honor of being chosen to host the combined National Tomiki Aikido Tournament and Nariyama Clinic. This was a high point for Aikido in Colorado and another tribute to the dedication of Sensei Seiji Tanaka to his Tomiki Aikido.
Today, Tanaka Sensei has retired as Sensei of the Colorado Aikido Association. He has turned the Association over to his long time student, Mr. Dave Nettles. Nettles Sensei currently holds the rank of Godan (5th dan). Nettles Sensei changed the name of the association to Colorado Shodokan Aikido. Its charter is to promote Aikido as taught at the Shodokan by the current Shihan, Tetsuro Nariyama. Nettles Sensei is the Chief Instructor and Chief Technical Director of the JAA-USA.