Vice President of International Euro-Asian Aikido Federation, President of Uzbekistan Aikido Federation, 5th Dan Aikikai

Rashid B. Khalidov is an expert in applied mathematics. In 1977 he graduated from Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics of Tashkent State University. From he was a third-year student, Rashid Khalidov studied at Faculty of Applied Mathematics of Leningrad State University as an exchange student. His research advisor was professor Nikolay M. Matveev. After gaining a diploma and getting appointment to Tashkent Cybernetics Institute R.B. Khalidov was sent to Leningrad for a two-year study course under direction of N.M. Matveev, who had become a department chairman in Pedagogical Institute by that time.

As he stayed in Leningrad for a long time on the business and study targets, Rashid Khalidov was studying martial arts under direction of his first teacher Alfat M. Makashev. Since 1972 under his direction and close quality control Rashid B. Khalidov had mastered basics of Karate and in 1978 he was among first Karate instructors in USSR, certified at First all-USSR Practice Session in Moscow. At the same time, since 1975 he studied basics of Aikido.

Alfat M. Makashev succeeded in passing his rich experience of martial arts on to his student, taught him subtleties and secrets of mastering and teaching these complicated skills. Rashid Khalidov remembers that time: "From my first teacher I got knowledge that has remained unique until now. Alfat M. Makashev is my second cousin, but in our relations in life and in Budo he has always been my teacher and closest person, who gave me what he possibly gave to noone else, namely it was a deep attitude towards Budo and knowledge, responsibility for teaching quality."

Outstanding personality of the Master, his powerful energy, unique style of Aikido practice, professionalism and refinement left a lasting impression on participants of the seminar.

Uzbekistan Aikido Federation (UAF) was registered as an independent organization in July 1990. Rashid B. Khalidov has been an unchallenged leader of UAF from the day of its foundation till present.

In 1991 there was another memorable and very significant event, that determinated the further way of Rashid Khalidov in Aikido. That summer, Rashid Khalidov took part in a seminar in Leningrad, where he was personally introduced to sensei Yasunari Kitaura, Shihan, an official representative of Aikikai Hombu in Spain. At the seminar sensei Kitaura revealed his remarkable qualities . Outstanding personality of the Master, his powerful energy, unique style of Aikido practice, professionalism and refinement left a lasting impression on participants of the seminar.

In autumn 1991 Master Kitaura invited R.B. Khalidov to his seminar in Madrid. As a result of participation in the seminar and passing the examination R.B. Khalidov was given the rank of 1st Dan. Since then at the invitation of Uzbekistan Aikido Federation sensei Kitaura visited Uzbekistan twice and conducted seminars for practitioners of Central Asia Region. Besides, upon the close relations established, sensei Kitaura provided UAF with tutorial support and made an invaluable contribution to the development of Aikido in Uzbekistan. Instructors elite of Federation arisen under his direction. In 2007 at the seminar of Y. Kitaura in Saint-Petersburg Rashid B. Khalidov was given the rank of 5th Dan.

Shihan Yasunari Kitaura has been a major Aikido Teacher for Rashid Khalidov for the last eighteen years. Rashid Khalidov speaks of sensei Kitaura "This is a man and a Teacher, who is admired by others in every way of communication with him. He is a man of high culture. He supervises our Federation and helps us in all aspects".

In order to earn respect among one's associates, one should cultivate their abilities with consistency and high responsibility. We have always been in the same social circle - with Alfat Makashev, Sergey Kiselev, Oleg Rish and many others.

Under direction of Rashid B. Khalidov Uzbekistan Akido Federation develops Aikido in other directions. Osaka Aikikai (Japan) offered establishment of relations to Uzbekistan Aikido Federation. Osaka Aikikai representatives visited Uzbekistan twice. The association has delegated Honda Doshu (7th Dan Aikikai) to supervise UAF. Uzbekistan Federation have assigned their masters for developing this branch of Aikikai in Uzbekistan.

Currently Uzbekistan Aikido Federation numbers a quantity of black belt masters of different ranks and provides Uzbekistan with teaching in Aikido. Representative delegations of Aikido masters from Uzbekistan regularly take part in seminars, conducted by Y. Kitaura in Saint-Petersburg and in Spain. Rashid B. Khalidov, the President of Uzbekistan Aikido Federation, actively teaches Aikido, conducts specialized seminars and students testing.

Due to lack of time Rashid B. Khalidov has no published works on Aikido yet, although there are some ideas and topics that he would like to cover in press. However there is a published series of study guides by R.B. Khalidov for Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Responding to the question what prompted his interest in martial arts, Rashid Khalidov says, that it is difficult to highlight the definite reason that stimulated him to start Budo practicing. There were ceremonies, inaccessible for ordinary people at that time, culture, philosophy and desire to fulfil oneself in complicated art. He adds «In order to earn respect among one's associates, one should cultivate their abilities with consistency and high responsibility. We have always been in the same social circle - with Alfat Makashev, Sergey Kiselev, Oleg Rish and many others. And now there is a desire to make further progress and take pleasure in this process».