Local RKC Dojo members to represent SA at the 21st European Jodo Championships

In South Africa, the Ryu Ken Chi (RKC) Dojo has been practising the jodo since 2020.

Initially, it was intended to kickstart the South African jodo training by sending some of the RKC Dojo leaders to overseas seminars so they could train with high-level jodo sensei.

According to Warren Ho, head sensei at the RKC, the global pandemic from late 2019 to early 2021 hindered this attempt.

Despite this challenge, the group was determined to initiate their jodo training, which led to the global search for senseis who would be willing to teach jodo online.

“Two sensei were found in the USA and Europe, and much credit must be given to them for graciously sharing their knowledge and time to help develop the South African jodo community.”

Ho adds that they are happy to announce that one of the exciting steps they will be taking this October as a South African Jodo, will be for the first time in history, South Africa represented at the 21st European Jodo Championships in Magglingen, Switzerland.

The three team members when asked what it feels like to be part of the first national jodo team to represent South Africa at an international event.

Jason Eason said, “I feel honoured to be part of the jodo national team to participate at the European Jodo championships in Switzerland. It is a dream come true to represent South Africa after years of hard work and training paying off. Furthermore, jodo has become an important part of my exercise regime and helps keep me mentally sharp and physically fit.”

Heinz Weilert said, “I started jodo as an extension to kendo. It has since become a distinct, separate part with multiple avenues of improving myself through developing the technical aspects, control of my body and movement in tune with the partner I am engaging with, and the ability to clear the mind from all outside clutter. I have benefited from trying to transport the learnings to others in Jodo and being a sponge in engaging, copying, and observing training partners and others. The thought of competing internationally is quite daunting. Doing so for one’s country is a privilege; doing it with friends who have trained for several years to get here is rewarding for all of us.”

Warren Ho said, “Jodo is a martial art that requires the discipline of body, mind, and spirit, more so than any other martial arts that I have encountered, as it uses real weapons against a partner with no protection (such as in the case with kendo). As much as I want jodo to grow in South Africa, we, as the senior members of the jodo community, must be weary as to who we take on as students. The correct mindset and attitude towards training are vitally important. Our participation at the forthcoming EJC will give us further exposure to this elusive yet deadly martial art and, hopefully, further our understanding and depth of this art. The cliché Spider-Man phrase comes to mind: With great power comes great responsibility.”

Related article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/333662/benefits-of-doing-kendo-for-rkc-women/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/330653/first-ever-kendo-kids-in-bogu-in-south-africa/