Renyukan - Iaido and Jodo Dojo

This weekend was the British Kendo Association's Iaido National Championships and Post Competition Intensive Training event Renyukan, and Ojika dojo were there representing the North East of England!

Everyone fought and trained hard with many coming away with medals.

John John Hart Burn and Robert Townson winning Bronze 🥉 in the Rokudan (6th Dan) division. Kevin McNeill winning Gold 🥇 in Godan (5th Dan) division. Pamela Maddison winning Bronze 🥉 in the Sandan (3rd Dan) division.

John Burn, Robyn Allwright and Katarina winning Silver 🥈 in the Team competition. Richie Suluh , Pamela Maddison and Robert Townson winning Bronze 🥉 in the Team competition. James Lordan who won Fighting Spirit in the Team competition.

Well done to everyone who attended and to all of the judges, supporters and organisers for helping make the weekend run smoothly!

Thank you to Kenmukan and Debbie Bevan for the brilliant group and action photographs.

Yesterday was the BKA's Jodo National Championships. Members of Renyukan, Ojika dojo and Ojika Northern Ireland made the trip down to Daventree to compete!

Congratulations to everyone who made the effort to attend! and those who won medals and trophies!

Yondan - Robert Townson Gold 🥇 and Kevin McNeill Silver 🥈 and Fighting Spirit. 🏅
Nidan - Jim Toman Gold 🥇, Pamela Maddison Silver 🥈 and Jack Gilmour Fighting Spirit. 🏅
Shodan - Aiden Gilmore Silver 🥈
Mudan - Will O'Hare Silver 🥈
2 Person Team - Robert Townson & Kev McNiell Silver 🥈 and Jim Toman & Jack Gilmore Bronze 🥉.
Asahi Team Cup (3 Person Team) - Jim Toman, Jack Gilmore & Aiden Gilmore Gold. 🥇

Well done everyone! Lots of great Jodo. All the he hard work has paid off! 👏👏👏

championships japanesemartialarts budo budofamily

Yesterday was the BKA's Jodo National Championships. Members of Renyukan, Ojika dojo and Ojika Northern Ireland made the trip down to Daventree to compete!

Congratulations to everyone who made the effort to attend! and those who won medals and trophies!

Yondan - Robert Townson Gold 🥇 and Kevin McNeill Silver 🥈 and Fighting Spirit. 🏅
Nidan - Jim Toman Gold 🥇, Pamela Maddison Silver 🥈 and Jack Gilmour Fighting Spirit. 🏅
Shodan - Aiden Gilmore Silver 🥈
Mudan - Will O'Hare Silver 🥈
2 Person Team - Robert Townson & Kev McNiell Silver 🥈 and Jim Toman & Jack Gilmore Bronze 🥉.
Asahi Team Cup (3 Person Team) - Jim Toman, Jack Gilmore & Aiden Gilmore Gold. 🥇

Well done everyone! Lots of great Jodo. All the he hard work has paid off! 👏👏👏

Thank you to for organising their annual Kangeiko! It was a great day getting the three arts of the dojo together to practice.

Exciting news
EDIT: Info and Registration form in pinned comment
We will be hosting a Jodo Seminar led by Ueda Sensei in Belfast!
April 18th and 19th 2026
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For the last session of 2025 we had one of our "posh Frocks" night. Jonathan received our annual award for the most sessions attended in the year! We wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Congratulations to Ojika and Renyukan's .mcneill.923 for receiving Kantosho/Fighting Spirit in the Godan (5th Dan) category at this year's European Iaido Championship in Prague!! 🎉👏🔥💪

The 2025 BKA Iaido and Jodo Northern Seminars are now complete! Thank you to the organisers, instructors and attendees for making the event a success! Congratulations to all those who were successful in their grading and commiserations to those who were unsuccessful. Either way the hard work continues!

Well done to Renyukan member Pamela Maddison for achieving Nidan in Jodo, Dek Bresnen for achieving Yondan (picture to follow), Simon Weaver for achieving Nidan and Jonathan Cole for achieving in Iaido!

Also congratulations to Ojika dojo's Stuart Nagouse, Robin Hudson, Liam Skipsey and Luke McGry on there successful Iaido gradings too!