The Yudansha Profiles
What is a Yudansha? A student who has attained a black belt. Each black belt is awarded a coat of arms by their Sensei, which consists of an animal and colour that symbolises that persons character, temperament and physical attributes. This is a modern tradition, started by the styles founder, Robert Lawrence, as a homage to Japanese crests and European heraldry. The Coat of Arms is highly symbolic, and acknowledges the unique character that the student brings to the Dojo community.
Darren Ball
Darren was on the mat, in gi, training in classes from 3 years old. He is fortunate enough to have Soke Tony Ball as his father and has trained continuously in Fudoshin Ryu. He has continued to train, develop, research, and teach the 'path' as laid out for him by his father.
Darren started training in September 1982.
He was awarded his Black Belt on the 13th April, 1991.
Awarded Fudoshin Master's Certificate (highest award and honour within the Fudoshin Ryu) in August, 2011. His certificate is signed by the head of the British Fudoshin Association (Jim McAllister), the head of the Fudoshin Ryu in Australia (Tony Ball) and the only other Fudoshin Master in the world, directly under the founder, Kevin King. This certification released Darren as a student and recognised his ability and Budo philosophy. His focus, now, is to research, study, innovate and develop the Fudoshin Ryu to reflect it's pre-historical roots and to bring it in to the modern day in a way that all people can develop strong skill and character from an education in traditional Japanese Martial Arts.
Over the years, he has competed in many open tournaments, performed in many demonstrations for local communities and won many awards and recognition for his efforts in the Martial Arts.
One of the highlights of his Martial Arts experience was a trip to Japan in 2008 with some fellow Black Belts for the World Butoku Sai and Rensei Tai Kai - an international event held in Kyoto. There he learnt techniques hundreds of years old from many notable masters of traditional Japanese Martial Arts as well as performed techniques of the Fudoshin Ryu in front of members of the Royal Family and the Hanshi board of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, a prestigious Martial Arts organisation endorsed by the Japanese Imperial Family.
Darren is an employee of the Department of Education (Victoria) and facilitates various personal development programs in schools and community groups. These programs, many of which are of his own innovation, specifically target social and emotional learning, life skills and applied philosophy.
He is an avid practitioner of Zazen, Yoga and Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) in conjunction with his Martial Arts studies.
Matthew Smithells
2nd Dan/ Weapons master. Head instructor at ishikengo Dojo.
Cyril Jezek
Started his training in Fudoshin Bujutsu at Douglas Grove Dojo in 1997 at the age of 10.
Since then Cyril has reached the rank of 2nd Dan Black belt and became heavily involved in the dojo on and off the mat. He has over 5 years of training in BJJ and Wrestling and is a qualified yoga instructor.
Richard Lewis
2nd Dan, Weapons Master
Paul Greenfield
2nd Dan. Qualified teacher.
Darren Ball
Darren was on the mat, in gi, training in classes from 3 years old. He is fortunate enough to have Soke Tony Ball as his father and has trained continuously in Fudoshin Ryu. He has continued to train, develop, research, and teach the 'path' as laid out for him by his father.
Darren started training in September 1982.
He was awarded his Black Belt on the 13th April, 1991.
Awarded Fudoshin Master's Certificate (highest award and honour within the Fudoshin Ryu) in August, 2011. His certificate is signed by the head of the British Fudoshin Association (Jim McAllister), the head of the Fudoshin Ryu in Australia (Tony Ball) and the only other Fudoshin Master in the world, directly under the founder, Kevin King. This certification released Darren as a student and recognised his ability and Budo philosophy. His focus, now, is to research, study, innovate and develop the Fudoshin Ryu to reflect it's pre-historical roots and to bring it in to the modern day in a way that all people can develop strong skill and character from an education in traditional Japanese Martial Arts.
Over the years, he has competed in many open tournaments, performed in many demonstrations for local communities and won many awards and recognition for his efforts in the Martial Arts.
One of the highlights of his Martial Arts experience was a trip to Japan in 2008 with some fellow Black Belts for the World Butoku Sai and Rensei Tai Kai - an international event held in Kyoto. There he learnt techniques hundreds of years old from many notable masters of traditional Japanese Martial Arts as well as performed techniques of the Fudoshin Ryu in front of members of the Royal Family and the Hanshi board of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, a prestigious Martial Arts organisation endorsed by the Japanese Imperial Family.
Darren is an employee of the Department of Education (Victoria) and facilitates various personal development programs in schools and community groups. These programs, many of which are of his own innovation, specifically target social and emotional learning, life skills and applied philosophy.
He is an avid practitioner of Zazen, Yoga and Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) in conjunction with his Martial Arts studies.
Matthew Smithells
2nd Dan/ Weapons master. Head instructor at ishikengo Dojo.
Cyril Jezek
Started his training in Fudoshin Bujutsu at Douglas Grove Dojo in 1997 at the age of 10.
Since then Cyril has reached the rank of 2nd Dan Black belt and became heavily involved in the dojo on and off the mat. He has over 5 years of training in BJJ and Wrestling and is a qualified yoga instructor.
Richard Lewis
2nd Dan, Weapons Master
Paul Greenfield
2nd Dan. Qualified teacher.
