It is with great joy that we welcome the year 2025! A new year means new opportunities, challenges and, above all, the chance to bring our community even closer together. As we begin this special year, we would like to wish you all a happy, peaceful and healthy year. This year, we are setting ambitious goals for ourselves in order to pass on and live the values of Bushido. Here are some of our most important plans:

Expansion of training locations in the Rhine-Neckar area

This year, we are placing a particular focus on expanding our training locations in Germany, especially in the Rhine-Neckar area. Cities like Mutterstadt and Friedelsheim are at the forefront of our efforts to offer our athletes even better training opportunities. In addition, the reactivation and construction of further training facilities are on our agenda. To successfully implement these ambitious plans, we are actively looking for volunteer trainers who are willing to share their knowledge and passion for the sport with others. Anyone who is interested is warmly invited to join our dedicated team!

Self-protection concept for women and children

Our self-protection concept remains a central concern, which we would like to continue to promote across all age groups. A particular focus is on courses for children, which are run under the motto ‘Not with me! Protect yourself from violence’. Our experienced Sensei Timo Gartner will play a leading role here, contributing his valuable knowledge to empower and protect our youngest members.

Reactivating the demonstration teams

Our demonstration teams will also be reactivated in 2025. In Germany, we are planning to form an A and B team, as well as a children’s demonstration, under the responsible leadership of Sensei-Ho Fabian Birkle. In addition, a demonstration team will be established in Sri Lanka by March 2025, organised by Senpai Kaushalya Nirmana. These teams will help to present our values and skills to a wide audience.

International expansion

International cooperation is also to be expanded, particularly in Sri Lanka. New neighbouring countries will be trained specifically through the bases in Sri Lanka. We are planning to expand the premises and equip them with new tatami training mats, which we will be able to support with donations from Germany. Another highlight will be the Samurai Camp in mid-March 2025, which is intended to initiate new training locations in Sri Lanka. It remains to be seen where the camp will take place in 2026.

Optimisation of the training and examination guidelines

One focus of our work is on the development of new training and examination guidelines as well as the trainer qualification, which will meet the standards of the DOSB. These guidelines should be applicable both nationally and internationally and should particularly enrich training up to the 4th kyu (blue) level. Sensei Thorsten Klein will continue to travel around the schools to gain valuable insights for improving our high-quality training. In the long term, Saiko-Shihan Christian Wiederanders is working on a training manual, but it will take a few more years before it can be published.

We would also like to remind you to continue registering for the individual training sessions. By doing so, you will help our trainers with their planning and ensure that your career points, which are needed for the upcoming belt exams, are automatically recorded!