The Ryu Ken Chi Dojo (RKC Dojo) hosted the first-ever Kendo Kids in Bogu at the 2023 RKC Autumn Championships in Rivonia.
The competition on May 13, was an internal event open only to its 60-person membership and consisted of four categories – one was the Kendo Kids in Bogu competition.
Bogu is the specialised body armour that a practitioner wears during kendo, a Japanese martial art that uses bamboo swords known as ‘shinai’.
Head Sensei Warren Ho said that with bogu’s specialised equipment, practitioners experience full-contact fighting without sustaining injuries.
“This championship is the first-ever done in South Africa, and children between the ages of 10 and 11 participated.”
He explained that Jamie Lewis (11), who took first place, started doing kendo during the height of the lockdown in 2020 and has proven how hard she has worked on her skills to win the championship.
“Jamie’s online training gave her a good foundation to build her kendo skills further and ultimately make her the first Kendo Kids in Bogu champion.”
He congratulated Caden Howell (11), who was placed second; Lisy Rasoamahenina (10), whose fighting spirit landed her in third place, and all the participants.
“We look forward to seeing Jamie and the rest of the RKC Kendo Kids flourish in their kendo journey and perhaps even represent our country at international events in the near future.”
The RKC Dojo Kendo Kids programme is open for both boys and girls aged 6–12 years and trains every Tuesday and Thursday from
15:30–16:30 at the Rivonia Sports Club, 47 Achter Road, Paulshoff.
For more information, please visit www.rkcdojo.com, or call Warren Ho on 082 389 9098.
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