Renshusei from Vlijmen, Netherlands: Alex Hermans

Alex Hermans (6th Dan) came for his second RENSHUSEI TRAINING here in
 Oita.


Training over ten days (for two hours each day).


By Alex’s request I covered the key aspects of Budo Karate Kihon, primarily the use of relaxation and snap, ground power, various ways of using the hip, the contaction and expansion of the body, and so forth.


Many kata were practiced, but most deeply worked on were:


順路 (Junro) for improving kihon;


半月 (Hangetsu) his tokuigata for Dan Examination;

水手 (Suishu), 波手 (Roshu) and 火手 (Roushu) for utilizing/applying ‘natural energy’; and


舞鶴大 (Maizuru Dai) by Alex’s request, via my Technical Seminar in Freital, Germany earlier this year.

The key point here is that both BUNKAI (Analysis) and OYO (Applications) were intensively covered, which is a strong trait of the IKS.

For kumite, I focused on Budo Karate ‘maai’ and hitting from angles which blindside the opponent. This ‘unpredictability’ was at the heart of Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei’s karate.

In sum, I’d like to congratulate Alex on his efforts. He has immensely improved from last year, and during this Renshusei, I saw him improve much more again!


Looking forward to seeing you again Alex!


押忍!!!

©︎ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

2026 South African Renshusei: PART TWO (YouTube Video)

 Please note that this is just a brief video overviewing the Renshusei Training to provide subtle reminders of key points.

For those wishing to apply for the Renshusei Program contact us via the following email: 

iksjapanhq@gmail.com

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

2026 South African Renshusei: PART ONE (Overview and Images)

Wesley Dyssel Sensei (5th Dan) and his students from his dojo in Pretoria (www.kimekarate.co.za) came for IKS RENSHUSEI TRAINING here with me in Oita City.

Students from his dojo were:

Lesego Mabe (2nd Dan)

Sherilee Knox (3rd Dan)

John Kuhn (4th Dan)

Also, it was absolutely fantastic to have Jody Young Sensei (6th Dan) again, who is presently based in Canada. Needless to say, it was Jody Sensei and Wesley Sensei's second time here as Renshusei.

Overall, it was a wonderful time of high-level technical training and fabulous camaraderie.

The focus was on IKS Budo Karate in Kihon and Kamite; furthermore, the kata 舞鶴大 (Maizuru Dai) was trained in-depth. However, I will leave it there!

 

Accordingly, a brief video—subtlety reviewing the key points of the trainings—will be released on YouTube soon.

Lastly, I'd again like to thank and congratulate Wesley Sensei, Jody Sensei, John, Sherilee and Lesego for their studiousness, and wonderful spirit. Also, my deepest thanks to Jody Sensei. I deeply value all of your friendships and your Karate-Do.

OSU! – AB

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).