Just before the New Year’s training course, we had the privilege of conducting five high-level belt examinations at Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido Limburgerhof on 11 January 2026. Two examinations for 2nd kyu (brown): These tested confident knowledge of tai-jitsu (unarmed techniques), including throws and the use of various traditional weapons. We congratulate Tristan Engel and Senpai Martin Paetz on passing their examinations! The candidates were allowed to voluntarily supplement the examination with freestyle techniques. Tristan demonstrated very strong techniques from Muay Thai, while Martin surprised the examiners with a self-wrapped tsukamaki (the wrapping on the handle of a Japanese sword) and demonstrated advanced sword techniques from Niten-Ichi-Ryu. This also shows how multi-layered martial arts can be. Rolf Polke took the exam for 4th Kyu (blue), also in the advanced range. In the exam, he proved that he is ready to enter the teachings of the element of fire. Congratulations on passing the exam! Richard Hillmann successfully passed the 5th kyu (green) exam. He also performed a freestyle routine with sword kata forms from Niten-Ichi-Ryu and impressed the examiners with his progress. Congratulations! Seito Rick Rauch had unexpected luck with his exam. He was unable to attend a previous exam date and was allowed to retake the exam on this occasion. Congratulations on passing the 6th kyu (green) examination. The belts and certificates were awarded during the New Year’s training course in front of the assembled members of several TRB clubs.