Farewell to Frank Vanhyfte

On Saturday 24 August 2024, we said goodbye to our good friend Frank Vanhyfte.

In our dojo Frank was the sempai, which means the most experienced of the students. He was always ready to help everyone on their path. Frank also often helped with the organisation of the club.

We remember Frank as a warm person. Someone with whom a good chat was never far away.

Tribute

As a tribute, in consultation with our Japanese master Tomita Sensei, we have awarded Frank the black belt posthumously. Why did we do this? Because a black belt is not simply “the next colour”.

In aikido we do not wear coloured belts, as in judo or karate. We wear a white belt until we receive a black belt. There is a reason for that. You have worn the white belt for so long, and sweated in it so much, that it has turned black from pure wear. And then your real journey begins: your personal development, beyond the technical curriculum. The personal search.

The first kyu grades reflect someone's technical ability. A black belt goes beyond that, because you do not get a black belt simply by passing your next exam. You earn that belt because you have become an example for all the new people who begin their search. You earn that belt because you no longer work only on your own journey, but because your commitment and attitude make the whole group grow, and so you contribute to aikido as a whole.

Frank had been on that path for a long time.

We all learned a great deal from Frank. We will not soon find a better example. That is why we did not hesitate to award him this black belt. He will always remain that example for us.

Thank you, Frank, we will miss you. Farewell on your last journey.