The following list comprises the 2019 New Year’s recommendations for 5th dan and above, and Shihan.
The recently posted list on Aikikai Foundation’s website can be found here: Kagami Biraki Grading 2019
Godan
- David Babcock – New York Aikikai
- Steve Bandy – Aikido of Dallas
- Luis Cataldi – Raleigh Aikikai
- John Chiarolanzio – Aikido of New Paltz
- Shawn Dansby – Aikido of Cincinnati
- Alberto De La Pena – Aikido of Dallas
- Brian Ericksen – Heaven and Earth Aikido
- Laura Gabbe – Aikido of Park Slope
- Jamal Granick – Aikido of Park Slope
- Michael Grover – Florida Aikikai
- Jean Laplante – Aikikai de l’Universite Laval
- Joshua Layton – Monteregie Aikikai
- Janet Lowe – Florida Aikikai
- Meipo Martin – Capital Hill Aikikai
- Charles Oaks – Aikido of Dallas
- John O’Connor – Long Island Aikikai
- Martin Perez – Toronto Aikikai
- Thanh Vinh Pham – Aikido de la Montagne
- John Porter – Aikikai of Philadelphia
- Mark Reichert – Cornell Aikido Club
- Ahmed Rhando – Aikido School of Maghreb
- Mary Dee Seabolt – Aikido Center of Jacksonville
- Alexander Sorisky – Ottawa Aikikai
- William Stairs – Ottawa Aikikai
- John Thompson – Aikido of Denton
- Paul Tigh – Aikido of Dallas
- Robert Vichnis – Aikido of Park Slope
Rokudan
- Thomas Berry – Aikido of Ashland
- Fabio Chirinos – Dairyukai Aikikai
- Cong Nguyen – Summit View Aikido
- Jonathan Reid – Aikido of Central New York
- Edward Schechtman – Center Island Aikido
- Jose Maxcen Soriana – PAPA Aikido Michigan
- Kevin Templer – Aikido of San Antonio
- Christine Wong – Aikido of Santa Barbara
Nanadan
- Douglas Firestone – Aikido of Westchester
- George Kennedy – Aikido Center of Atlanta
- TK Lee – Aikido of Houston
- Charles McGinnis – Aikido fo Cincinnati
- Joel Posluns – North Vancouver Aikikai
- Yoko Okamoto – Aikido Kyoto, Japan (a non-USAF dojo, but promoted by Yamada Sensei)
Shihan
- Eugene Abarrategui – Aikido de la Montagne
