2nd Slovakian Seminar Jodo

October, 19th and 20th 2013

The second Jodo seminar in Košice lead by Fred Quant (Menkyo Kaiden) was held on October 19-20, continuing the tradition started the last year. The seminar was again attended by Slovak, Czech and Hungarian Jodo practitioners, joined for the first time by participants from Saint Petersburg (who travelled more than 1 600 kilometers by car). In total, 25 people joined the seminar.

For more than 7 hours on Saturday and 3 hours on Sunday, we practiced kihon (tandoku and sotai) and kata (up till samidare, depending on the experience of the trainees). As usual, Fred presented the techniques in a precise and compelling manner. A lot of time was devoted to demonstrations and explanations to give as much information as possible to those interested. After the training, the guests from Russia took an exam for the 3rd kyu. Towards the end of the seminar, several of the Hungarians were introduced to kage waza, and the Slovak participants progressed further in omote waza. Everyone got some corrections or pointers for further practice.

As usual, a part of the training was devoted to bokken, free practice of the newly learned kata, as well as training with more experienced uchidachi (who should provide the right rhythm and proper attacks, helping the shidachi correct the technique). We had opportunities to ask questions and notice details to work on in the following years. We also enjoyed the Slovak hospitality outside the dojo.

The Jodo is in its beginnings at Slovakia, and from our own experience in Czech Republic, we know how hard it is to find people interested in a discipline without medals and "street-fighting" techniques, and to keep them excited about Jodo. We try to assist them as much as possible, with the help of Fred Quant and other friends who attend similar meetings. We believe these efforts will pay off eventually.

We would like to thank the locals for the invitation, the practice and the perfect organization. We thank the guests for coming despite of the long distances, and we look forward to practicing together soon.

Patrik Orth, (english transl. Zdenek Dvorak), photos Andrey Maryenkov


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