South African Jodo team’s fighting spirit came through at an international event
According to the South African Jodo team, the Fighting Spirit Awards are dedicated to their commitment and efforts to help grow South African Jodo.
The South African Jodo team that took part in the 21st European Jodo Championships in the surroundings of Magglingen, Switzerland, represented the country well.
The championships that took place over three days saw the three-man South African team prepared and ready to show their jodo skills to the judges.
The South African team was comprised of Heinz Weilert, Jason Eason, and Sensei Warren Ho, all from the Rivonia-based RCK Jodo.
According to the team members, it was a fantastic accomplishment for them to participate and represent the country in an international jodo event.
Ho said, “The competition began with Heinz Weilert and I taking place in the Nidan [2nd dan] category, and we fought bravely in our pool matches, but only I was able to advance to the KO rounds.”
He highlighted that he was knocked out by his final opponent, Emil Sågfors who eventually went on to win the gold medal in the Nidan category.
“Jason Eason participated in the shodan [1st dan] category and proceeded beyond his pool matches, however, he was beaten in the first round of KO matches, but his display of courage and determination was enough to impress the referees and managed to secure him a Fighting Spirit Medal.”
Ho added they faced some tough competitors, namely the teams from Sweden, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
“The South African team fought gallantly but the lack of competition experience and some much-needed direct, in-person sensei-guidance was evident, but our fighting spirit was recognised and I went on to secure a medal at the end of the day, South Africa’s second medal at its first international jodo competition.”
In conclusion, the team thanked the South African Kendo Federation for the opportunity.
“We do love to give a heartfelt thank you to all who made this championship possible.”
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