Members of MJ’s Judo Dojo have returned to South Africa after an unforgettable international experience, competing in the prestigious SANIX International Juvenile Judo Team Championships and taking part in an intensive training tour in Japan.
The team was led by Sensei Reece Kramer, who travelled as coach and manager, representing MJ’s Judo Dojo, the Sarah Baartman Judo Association, and South Africa on the global stage. Kramer described the experience as both an honour and a powerful learning opportunity.
“The competition reflected the true principles of judo — efficiency, discipline and respect,” said Kramer. “What stood out most was the shared passion among judoka from all over the world, which created meaningful connections beyond the sport.”
One of the standout performers on the tour was young judoka Tiffany Botes, who delivered a strong showing against international competitors, including athletes from Korea and Japan. Kramer praised her development throughout the tour, highlighting noticeable improvements in her grip work, control, and mental resilience.
“Tiffany showed real maturity and determination,” he said. “She learned from every match and came back stronger each time.”
Botes described the experience as both demanding and deeply rewarding.
“It was hard work, but very exciting,” she said. “Stepping onto the mat in Japan made me realise how far my judo journey has come.”
Beyond competition, the tour included high-performance training sessions and seminars with world-class athletes, among them Ryuju Nagayama, currently ranked fifth in the world in the men’s -60kg category. Botes said the exposure has motivated her to work harder and pursue her long-term goal of one day becoming a sensei herself.
Both coach and athlete emphasised the importance of international exposure in developing South African judo talent, encouraging younger judoka to seize opportunities to compete, train, and learn abroad whenever possible.
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