For many athletes and martial artists, progress is measured in medals and titles.

For Warren Ho, progress is measured through continuous learning, discipline, and the willingness to travel beyond South Africa’s borders to refine his craft. Next week, Ho will travel to Bulgaria for an intensive week of iaido and jodo training, while preparing to undertake his 3rd dan iaido examination, an important milestone in his martial arts journey.

He described the opportunity as both challenging and meaningful. “Getting my 3rd dan would be a significant achievement for me, because it would represent the outcome of a full week of intensive training.”
Ho added that the programme includes up to four hours a day of iaido training and an additional three to four hours daily of jodo practice over five days. Although the examination focuses on iaido, Ho sees the entire experience as an opportunity to sharpen his skills and deepen his understanding of both disciplines.

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He explained that iaido is a Japanese martial art centred on drawing the sword and performing a controlled sequence of movements in one continuous flow. According to Ho, the practice extends beyond physical technique. “It can be very much like meditation. It’s about controlling your body, your mind, your emotions, and your spirit.”

For Ho, international training has become necessary because of the limited number of high-ranking iaido instructors available locally. “At the moment, I’m the highest-ranked active iaido practitioner in South Africa.”

During the trip, he will train under Dutch instructor sensei Renee van Amersfoort, whom he formally regards as his teacher. Ho said their student/teacher relationship was established earlier this year during the sensei’s first visit to South Africa.

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Preparation for the examination has centred on consistent practice, self-reflection, and reviewing recorded training sessions for critique. At the 3rd dan level, Ho explained, technical execution becomes increasingly important. “Everything must be as close to technically correct as possible.”

Ho believes ongoing development is essential in martial arts and compares training to swimming against a current. “As soon as you stop training or improving, you begin moving backwards.”
Beyond personal achievement, Ho said his goal is to return with knowledge that can benefit South Africa’s martial arts community. He pointed to the Japanese concept of ‘Musha shugyo’, a tradition of travelling to learn and returning to share that knowledge with others. “We aren’t isolated in South Africa. We are part of a global community, and we should continue participating, learning, and sharing what we bring back home.”

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