WJJF Team Yawara

When mom makes my birthday cake

WJJF-WJJKO 1976 'ISAN' (Legacy Convention) -
8/9th September 2023
Building a legacy means creating something enduring that can be passed on.
"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others."
Pericles

In WJJF-WJJKO, day by day we have been adding to the memoirs written since 1976, by our founders Soke Clark and Shike Bertoletti.
In this, our Federation's 47th year, WJJF Ireland is thankful to have been given the honour of hosting our Convention, and we have been overwhelmed by the support of our international colleagues and affiliates.

Likewise, our team of experienced and dedicated instructors have been second to none in their efforts to contribute in making this event a massive success.

Young blood is coursing through the organisation and, with the right mentors and guidance, this will ensure the Federation stays in good and loyal hands, to pass on to future generations.

It could be another ten years before you will see some of our International guest instructors return to Ireland to teach, so please make it your priority to attend this event and gain wisdom from their experience and expertise.

The goal isn't to live forever - the goal has always been to create something that will, and we have built excellent foundations to date.
Let's show the world WJJF Ireland at its best,
and put on the best world show
that will make it a truely memorable experience for everyone.

Last remaining tickets at our early bird rate are available through your coach now!
Join us for our Legacy event (ISAN in japanese) and leave a lasting impression.

Now things are getting serious! Look who's coming!
Hanshi Risto Väntär, 8th Dan, has been practicing ju-jitsu for 45 years, as well as having proficiency in other martial arts styles.
When teaching, Väntär emphasizes the importance of basic technique and the right attitude: "Better to know one thing well than ten things badly".
Perhaps a little known fact about Hanshi Risto is that he has appeared in a cameo role as a 'bad guy' in a popular film in Finland.
We can't wait to see what Hanshi Risto will have for us, as he takes to the mats for the WJJF-WJJKO stage, this September, Saturday 9th in Ards Blair Mayne centre.
Tickets are selling out fast - don't lose out on this fantastic opportunity!

And now, WJJF Ireland are honoured to present
Soke Auvo Niiniketo, 'the father of Finnish Ju-Jitsu'.
He introduced jujitsu to Finland in 1977, and later also kickboxing and sambo (a martial art developed in Russia). In 1978, Niiniketo first met the English senseis Richard Morris and Robert Clark, which started a mutual collaboration that continues to this day via our own Shike Bertoletti. He went on to create a new form of jujitsu, Hokutoryu, or 'the northern style', which is now practised in 22 countries. Hokutoryu is a functional and effective form of force used by security guards, policemen and soldiers.

Hokutoryu has a foundation of strong basic technical skills plus powerful skills combinations. The training is very physical from the beginning, and students taking the upper belt tests in Helsinki, must undergo a contact match to succeed!

This ju-jitsu giant has added a welcome and very unique contribution to the previous congresses in Ireland in 2003 and 2015 and we anticipate this is going to be instruction and experience you really do not want to miss.

Get your ticket now for the 9th September in Ards Blair Mayne centre -
The 'ISAN' (Legacy) Convention, by the original WJJF-WJJKO 1976.

“The influence of a good teacher can never be erased. A good teacher's legacy is forever"