22/08/2026
10th August 2026
Something Special
*Written by Hanshi Reg Ellis*
On Monday evening, the 10th of August, training at the Hombu Dojo was something special.
One reason was that all of the junior students were proudly wearing their new coloured belts, while others had fitted their new mons to their belts. This was the result of their hard work leading up to the grading day on the previous Saturday, and the effort they put in on the day itself.
The other special occasion was a visit from the Tvina family. Amir had his son Alon and Alon’s two children, Ozi and Lev, here for a short stay, all the way from New York, USA. Amir’s other son, Erez, had also travelled from Victoria to be with the family.
For them all to be on the mat together was a very proud and special moment.
Alon is graded Brown Cherry Blossom, while Erez is also a Sakura Ryu student, graded Blue Cherry Blossom. For this special occasion, Amir wore his Shodan Black Belt, having achieved this rank many years ago in the martial art of Goju Kyu Karate.
As the training session drew to a close, we thanked the family for being with us and took some photos. This also gave Alon the opportunity to say a few words.
He spoke about the times he had trained on the mat with our son, Sensei Peter, describing him as being *like steel*. Alon recalled one particular occasion when Pete threw another student so hard that they had to go over and check whether he had left a huge hole in the mat!
My thoughts also travelled back to a training session when Peter was preparing for a high-ranking grading. As the session developed, one student after another was lying alongside the mat, holding an arm or shoulder and rubbing their bruises. It looked like a casualty ward at a hospital!
At one point, Pete lost one sleeve from his gi jacket, and by the end of the session, he had lost the other. When the class finally ended, Pete took off what was left of his jacket, rolled it up and threw it in the bin.
Alon went on to say that he had trained in many different martial arts schools throughout the world, including Australia, South Africa, America and Europe. He had trained in disciplines including JuJitsu, Krav Maga and MMA.
However, he made the point that nowhere compared to, or was as good and as tough as, Sakura Ryu.
I am sure our students already know this, but hearing those words from someone who has trained in so many places around the world was very pleasing for all of us.
Please come again, as you will always be welcome.
