Reflections on 2025: A Year of Triumphs and Challenges at RKC Dojo
- RKC Dojo
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The year 2025 at RKC Dojo has been a journey marked by both remarkable achievements and unexpected obstacles. As we look back, it’s clear that every experience, whether a success or a setback, has shaped our community and strengthened our commitment to growth. This post offers a detailed summary of the key moments that defined our year.
Highlights of 2025
1) January:
The RKC Dojo re-opens on 4 Jan 2025 with a regular 2 hrs session and nomikai!
Terry, Charles, Aura, Sayuri and Somaria go to Budapest, Hungary for the National Team Meet. Warren goes as shimpan.
• Cedric JACQUES and Warren HO attended the FIK / EKF Shimpan Seminar in
Brussels, Belgium.
2) February:
15 Feb we have our 2nd GROUP Photography session!
16 Feb: Several of the RKC Dojo instructors went on a day-long First Aid course as part of the process of being recognized and validated as an instructor by MASA.
Ndimby from Madagascar visited our dojo for some Kendo training. RKC also donates some refurbished shinai to the Madagascan Kendo Federation.
The European Sensei Delegation of Uwe KUMPF (Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Germany), Markus FREY (Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Finland), Katja FLEURY (Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Switzerland) & Oscar KIMURA (Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Switzerland) come to the RKC Dojo Rivonia for a training session!
3) March
Katja FLEURY sensei (7th Dan Kendo, 7th Dan Jodo) is South Africa from 27 Feb to 17 Mar. She conducted a number of Kendo and Jodo sessions at the RKC Dojo!
1 March: Several of our members successfully passed their Dan grade exams, including Logan Semapi who passed his YONDAN exam! A huge milestone for the RKC Dojo!
RKC Dojo members perform well at the 2025 SEFOR CUP:
LADIES CATEGORY: First Place - Aura NAIDO; Second Place - Shakti DALY; Third Places- Lisa CHVANGA; Fighting Spirit - Lisa CHIVANGA
OPEN CATEGORY: Third Place- Charles SUN; Fighting Spirit - Lisa CHIVANGA & Charles SUN
20 Mar: Ilias Papachristos sensei, Renshi 6th Dan from GREECE joins us for a Kendo session!
22 Mar: A Kyu Grading with a 100% success rate!
26 Mar: Ray sensei celebrates his 81st birthday with us at the dojo!
4) April:
5 -6 Apr: SKKD hosts a seminar with Tony HUGHES sensei (renshi, 6th Dan) from the UK.
30 Apr: Buster SEFOR sensei (Kyoshi, 7th dan) joins us for a Kendo session at the Rivonia Dojo!
5) May
17-18 May: RKC Dojo members take part in the Japanese Festival in Menlyn Maine Central Square.
23 May: James MILLER sempai, Kendoka, Iaidoka, and Jodoka at the RKC Dojo passed away after a short but fierce battle with cancer. See this link: https://www.rkcdojo.com/post/in-memory-of-james-miller-sempai
31 May: The Kendo Kids and RKC Iaido members will be performing a demonstration at the opening of the 2025 National Koi Show in Ferndale on Republic. Furthermore, they got to escort, His Excellency, Mr. Fumio SHIMIZU, at the beginning of the event.
6) June:
30 May – 1 June: The 33rd European Kendo Championships (EKC) in Leiden, Netherlands took place. RKC Dojo members who were part of the team were: Aura NAIDOO, Shakti DALY, Charles SUN, Terry CHAU (Manager).
1 Jun: The Winter Challenge begins – 100 suburi for 100 days!
8 Jun: Dojo Memorial for James MILLER sempai.
13 Jun: Iaido demonstration at the Saheti School in Johannesburg.
14 Jun: RKC Kyu Grading
21 Jun: Heinz WELERT sempai passes his Jodo 3rd Dan in German! SA history is made yet again!
28 Jun: RKC Winter Championships for RKC members only comprising of a Kendo and Iaido competitions. See here for details: https://www.rkcdojo.com/post/rkc-s-2025-winter-championships
7) July
19 Jul: 1st ever Kendo Kids vs Parents event!
26 Jul: Charles SUN, RKC members and SA National Team members has a farewell Keiko session as he departs for Singapore for his studies.
24 Jul: Kian WIDDOWS from the Scottish National Team, as well as visitors from the San Kawa Dojo and Mushin Dojo joined our Wednesday kendo session in Rivonia!
8) August
@KenshiMerch helps fundraise for Iaido Team SA by selling some SA made sword bags!
28-31 Aug: RKC Dojo had a stand at the COMIC CON JOHANNESBURG event to help promote the art of Kendo, Iaido and Jodo, as well as the RKC Dojo brand!
30 Aug: Maria HEINZ from Germany, came by our dojo today for some Kendo Keiko!
9) September
6 Sep: The RKC’s 10 Year Dojo Anniversary Gala was held at the German Country Club! A successful evening of celebrations, recognition and entertainment! See here for more: https://www.rkcdojo.com/post/rkc-dojo-s-10-year-anniversary-gala
12-14 Sep: Warren HO sensei was invited by the Mauritius Kendo Federation to conduct a Kendo seminar in Mauritius.
19 Sep: RKC Dojo funds the adjustment of fan heights at the Observatory Sports hall, which will significantly change the way we train Kendo at that dojo!
20 Sep: The RKC Kyu Grading was held for the 1st time at the Observatory Dojo! The first of many to come!
24 Sep: Heritage Day training at a dance studio at the Core Shopping Centre. It was considered as a possible alternative training venue for future events.
26 – 28 Sep: Heinz WELERT and Warren HO travel to Zielona Góra , Poland to represent South Africa at the 23rd European Jodo Championships (EJC).
29 Sep: Warren HO successfully passed his 3rd Dan Jodo exam at the EJC in Poland.
10) October:
13 Oct- RKC Dojo members participate in Kendo and Iaido demos at the Japanese Spring Festival
18 Oct – RKC Summer Championships at the RRC! A successful event that was attended by all the Dojo’s in the Gauteng region! See more here: https://www.rkcdojo.com/post/the-ryu-ken-championships-summer-2025-edition
30 Oct – The Zombie Cup for Kendo Kids!
11) November
1 Nov: Special training session to be conducted by Brandon-Lee COSKEY, as he will share some of this knowledge that he picked up from his 1 month in Japan.
7-9 Nov: 32nd European Iaido Championships (EIC), took place in Prague, Czech Republic.
SA Team comprises of: Carina Rothman (Supporter), Deminique Viljoen-Doyle, Jayson Rothman (exam candidate), Johann Nienaber, Justin Chiang (exam candidate), Makungu Chansa, Warren Ho
26 Nov: Final RKC Session for Terry CHAU sensei as he will be moving to Canada in Dec 2025.
29 - 30 Nov SAKF Summer seminar, Shinsa and Junior Championships. 2 new shodans!
A fantastic performance by the RKC Kendo Kids and Juniors! Details here: https://www.rkcdojo.com/post/champions-in-the-making-rkc-kendo-kids-shine-at-the-national-junior-championships
12) December :
6 Dec: Kendo, Kendo Kids, Iaido and Jodo Kyu Grading at the OBSERVATORY DOJO.
13 Dec: Year end social at the 1st Bryanston Scouts Group Venue was cancelled due to the weather.
An anonymous donor sponsored 12 new shinai to the Mauritius Kendo Federation! Hopefully to be taken to Mauritius in 2026!
Lessons Learned
Reflecting on these experiences, several important lessons emerged:
Flexibility is Essential
Being able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances helped us maintain momentum despite setbacks.
Community Support Matters
The encouragement and cooperation among members created a positive atmosphere that made overcoming challenges easier.
Education Prevents Injury
Emphasizing proper technique and recovery strategies must remain a priority to keep everyone safe.
Clear Communication Builds Trust
Keeping members informed about changes and decisions helped maintain confidence and engagement.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Building on what we learned, our plans for the coming year include:
Completing Facility Improvements
We aim to finish the upgrades early in 2026 to provide a better training environment.
Expanding Class Options
New time slots and specialized courses will accommodate more members and varied interests.
Strengthening Online Community
We will enhance virtual events and forums to connect members beyond the dojo walls.
Hosting Annual RKC Summit
Bringing together instructors and students for a multi-day event focused on learning and networking.
Video Summary of 2025
To complement this written reflection, we have prepared a video summary that captures the spirit of our year. It highlights key moments, member testimonials, and glimpses of our training sessions. Watching it offers a vivid reminder of how far we’ve come and the energy that drives us forward.
A summery of our year in the Sandton Chronicles:
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The Ryū Ken Chi (RKC) Dojo train the traditional Japanese martial arts of Kendo and Iaido (sword-based martial arts), as well as Jodo (the art of the short staff), that encourages the cultivation of the human character.
Kendo Kid is also available for children aged 6-13 years old.
RKC DOJO has 2 training venues within Johannesburg - RIVONIA and OBSERVATORY.
Please follow us on our various social media platforms:
Website: www.rkcdojo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RKCDojo
Instagram: @rkc_dojo
TikTok: rkcdojo
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/rkcdojo
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