Jodo national championship returns to Turku after a decade
Three-Day Program Includes Seminars, Graduation, and Competition
After a ten-year absence, the Finnish Jodo National Championship (Jodo SM) is set to make a return to Turku from March 14 to 16. Hosted at Raunistulan Koulun Sali, the tournament will serve three main purposes. First, it will be the centerpiece of a seminar for the discipline. Second, it will offer an opportunity for new Jodo practitioners to graduate. And lastly, the tournament results will help determine who will represent Finland in the upcoming European Championships, taking place later this year in Poland.
Located at Oikotie 1, 20300 Turku, this event will feature not only the national championship itself but also a series of seminars and a special ceremony to honor a new generation of Jodo graduates.
For those new to this martial arts, Jodo revolves around the use of a wooden staff called a jo.
"Jodo is a Japanese martial art using a wooden staff against a sword. It is an amateur sport"
explains Tea Pihlaja, Jodo Manager from the Finnish Kendo Association, FKA, Finland.
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While its roots date back to the 17th century, Jodo today blends traditional techniques with the demands of modern athletic competition. Annual tournaments such as the Jodo SM are a focal point in the Finnish martial arts calendar, giving practitioners an invaluable chance to measure themselves against peers and potentially secure a place at major international events.
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A comprehensive three-day program
This yearâs championship is organized in a way that highlights both training and competitive elements across three distinct days:
- March 14: The first day is devoted to a seminar aimed at developing and refining core Jodo techniques. Participants of varied skill levels can deepen their understanding of the martial art, focusing on precision, timing, and the respectful spirit that underpins all Japanese martial traditions.
- March 15: The seminar continues, building upon lessons from the first day. In addition, attendees will witness the graduation of a new generation of Jodo practitioners, a significant moment that underscores the disciplineâs steady growth in Finland. This milestone celebrates both the technical accomplishments and the passion driving Jodoâs community nationwide.
- March 16: Finally, the spotlight shifts to competition day, as competitors converge on Raunistulan koulun sali to compete for the prestigious national title. The stakes are particularly high, since success here also will determine who will represent Finland in the European Jodo Championships in Poland. Earning a spot on the Finnish national team can be a prime motivation for athletes who have dedicated countless hours to perfecting their skill sets.
By devoting the initial two days to seminars and celebrating up-and-coming practitioners, organizers ensure that the final dayâs matches reflect participantsâ recent training experiences. This format allows everyone involvedânewcomers, veterans, and spectators alikeâto appreciate both the rigorous competitive aspect and the underlying philosophies of Jodo.
The road to the european championships
In addition to determining Finlandâs top Jodo practitioner, this yearâs national tournament lays the groundwork for international success. Competitors come from all over the country to improve their chances to represent Finland at the 23rd European Jodo Championships, one of the most prestigious events in the discipline. Set to take place in Poland, the European tournament features an elite field of martial artists displaying both tradition and innovation.
Within Finland, Jodo remains a niche but devoted sport, especially compared to more familiar martial arts like karate or kendo. The return of Jodo SM to Turku for the first time since 2015 signifies a renewed commitment to promoting and expanding the discipline.
"The last time the SM was held in Turku was in 2015. There has been barely any activity in Turku for 10 years, until now," notes Pihlaja, highlighting the significance of this event in rekindling a local community that once thrived. A total of 28 participants are expected, representing various dojos and clubs, many of which have navigated the pandemic-induced challenges that interrupted regular training and competitions in recent years.
Since its inaugural edition in 2007, the Jodo SM has taken place 16 times, with a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its global restrictions. Now, the championships are returning in full force, celebrating their 17th edition with an eager audience of martial arts enthusiasts. Organizers hope that by placing Turku back in the spotlight, new and returning practitioners will be inspired to explore Jodoâs blend of traditional heritage and contemporary sport.
A revival for turkuâs Jodo community
Turkuâs role as the host city carries weight beyond the immediate excitement of the tournament. Once a notable center for martial arts events, Turkuâs Jodo community has seen limited activity over the past decade.
Revitalizing practice in southwestern Finland is one of the primary goals for the Central Association of Kendo Clubs, which recognizes the unique opportunity presented by hosting a marquee event like the nationals.
Bringing the championship back to Turku promotes not only local engagement but also the prospect of forging stronger connections among Finnish dojos in other regions. The competitionâs structureâtwo days of in-depth seminars followed by a final day of intense matchesâaims to stimulate both the technical and cultural dimensions of Jodo.
Seminars give seasoned practitioners and novices an equal opportunity to build new skills and refine old ones, while the finals showcase athletes who excel at maintaining composure, timing, and impeccable form under high-pressure conditions.
As Jodoâs popularity slowly spreads within Finland, these events help foster a sense of shared identity among practitioners. The martial artâs deep historical roots combine with a modern framework for judging, scoring, and ranking competitors, ensuring that both authenticity and athletic rigor remain cornerstones of each match.
Success in Turku may translate into national renownâand possibly a chance to prove oneâs mettle on the European stage. It also helps cultivate lasting relationships, both on and off the practice floor, that spur ongoing growth in Jodo clubs across the country.
On a practical level, Raunistulan koulun sali has been carefully prepared to accommodate the demands of a top-tier tournament. The designated spaces for warm-ups, as well as clearly marked boundaries for competition areas, allow participants to move fluidly with the jo while still respecting one anotherâs safety.
Spectators can witness both the calm, methodical pacing of kata demonstrations and the electric excitement of semi-competitive displays where timing and technique determine the winner.
Ultimately, the Finnish Jodo National Championshipâs return to Turku offers more than just a high-stakes showdown. By featuring comprehensive seminars, honoring new graduates, and crowning the next national champion, the event embodies the spirit of a martial art that balances time-honored tradition with contemporary sport.
As Tea Pihlaja, from FKA, underscores, it remains an "amateur" discipline, but one with deep cultural resonance and the potential to unite practitioners of all ages and backgrounds. For fans and newcomers alike, this three-day celebration promises a unique window into the dedication, camaraderie, and evolving legacy of Jodoâboth in Finland and worldwide.
Entreprenerd will be covering the event throughout the three-day program.
