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:
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).
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Students from his dojo were:
Lesego Mabe (2nd Dan)
Sherilee Knox (3rd Dan)
John Kuhn (4th Dan)
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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
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The OFFICIAL SEMINAR video is now available on YOUTUBE.
Please subscribe to Martial Arts Media if you want to see more content.
This second video footage, from the Freital 2026 Seminar, is courtesy of Oliver Schömburg.
He gave me permission to use a few clips from his footage; however, stay tuned for a very professional rendition (with many-many other features).
This will posted on his top-class YouTube Channel: OLLIWAA
Until then be sure to check out his other videos
Here's a direct link if you haven't subscribed!
https://www.youtube.com/@olliwaa
About this short and VERY SIMPLE video ... It is basically conveying some key points, of which, I hope assists those who attended the 2026 Freital Seminar. Especially when the event is still fresh in the minds of the participants.
Again, I'd like to thank Oliver very much, and are also really looking forward to seeing the official footage on his channel in the near future. Needless to say, I will also post a link here on my blog.
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).
押忍
アンドレ
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| Sochin Kata after the completion of migi jodan mikazuki-geri. |
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| An off-timed photo just before the complete withdrawal of the third and final attack with ippon-nukite. |
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| The final movement of the Asai-Ha Shotokan-Ryu Koten-gata: Maizuru Dai. |
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| Preparing this post after training this evening: April 8th, 2026. |
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).
大分市の桜 (Oita Shi no Sakura)... The Cherry Blossoms of Oita City are now in full bloom.
It has been 33 years since I first came here in Japan to 'Learn the Art of Karate-Dõ from the source', and this year marks 24 years since I first came here to beautiful Oita.
Today I will simply leave you with some images from Oita central city that I've taken from my iPhone over the last couple of days.
押忍！！
AB
IKS (International Karate Shotokan) Technical Director, André Bertel (7th Dan Japan), conducted the 4th Budo Karate Seminar in Freital, Germany on March 14th and 15th, 2026.
It was once again hosted by the Shotokan-Karate-Club Freital e.V. (Kaminari-Arashi Dojo). Shotokan karate as Bujutsu was the main focus in both Kihon and Kumite; furthermore, the advanced Asai-Ha Shotokan-Ryu Kata 舞鶴大 (Maizuru Dai) was taught. This kata brought the Kihon and Kamite--technique, principles and applications-- seamlessly together. Emphasis on impacting vital points with 'old-school karate' weapons of the body such as Ippon Ken, Nakayama Ippon Ken, Kakushiken, Kakuto and various forms of Nukite were high on the agenda. Also, use of Teisho and the Tate Ken. In sum, this video is to provide the Seminar Participants with some subtle reminders of the key points taught.Jürgen Schneider-Jansohn (3rd Dan) from Bissendorf, Germany, came for three days as a 練習生 (Renshusei, Trainee).
Training for two hours each day on March 24th, 25th and 26th, Jürgen not only practiced but also came with many technical questions. This allowed me to specifically teach him according to his personal image of what ‘being a Renshusei’ would achieve for him.
This is what being a Renshusei here is all about in my dojo: ‘Karate specific for the individual for maximum technical development’.
Besides the critical details of budo karate kihon, which I always stress, much emphasis was put on fundamental kata such as平安初段 (Heian Shodan) and 順路初段 (Junro Shodan), also several of the more advanced Shotokan forms such as 半月 (Hangetsu) and 明鏡 (Meikyo).
Yakusoku Kumite was also high on the agenda, especially 五本組手 (Gohon Kumite), 三本組手 (Sanbon Kumite), 基本一本組手 (Kihon Ippon Kumite) and 自由一本組手 (Jiyu Ippon Kumite). Besides correct budo/bujutsu karate 間合 (Maai) the focus was on correctly and autonomously utilizing a greater variety of body shifts in defense, such as:
• 体捌き (Tai-sabaki)
• 転身 (Tenshin)
• 出合い (Deai)
• 足切り替え (Ashi kirikae), etcetera…
For example, stepping back directly; diagonally leftward or rightward, rearward or forward; moving sideward right or left; spinning either way; advancing; dropping or leaping; and/or a combination of these.
Returning to 基本 (Kihon) and 型 (Kata) I emphasized how, in traditional Budo Karate—Kihon, Kata and Kumite—are literally one: completely harmonious.
In all three of these domains correct 呼吸 (Kokyu) is essential, not only for optimal physical prowess, but also for psychological control.
Overall, Jürgen was very diligent over the three days here and did very well. In sum, he has a lot of karate homework and new knowledge to take back to Germany! It was also nice to spend some time outside the dojo with him and his lovely wife.
押忍！
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).
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