22/01/2026
Great article and very true
THE BUSHIDO CROSS & THE ROOTS OF AUSTRALIAN KICKBOXING 🥋
If you’ve been around Australian kickboxing long enough, you’ve seen it worn with pride.
The Bushido Cross comes from Zen Do Kai, founded by Bob Jones, and represents the Bushido code:
They were not given, but earnt through
Honour. Respect. Discipline. Loyalty. Courage. Humility.
These values weren’t just taught in the dojo; they were carried into the ring, the corner, and the referee’s circle.
For decades, Zen Do Kai practitioners helped build Australian kickboxing from the ground up. Long before big shows, bright lights, and mainstream attention, Zen Do Kai gyms were producing fighters, trainers, and referees who shaped the sport we know today.
It’s no exaggeration to say that kickboxing would not have become as big in Australia if it hadn’t been for Bob Jones and the Zen Do Kai push in the 70' and 80's.
To this day, many still wear their Bushido Cross with pride, not as jewellery, but as a symbol of where they came from and what they stand for.
So here’s the big question 👇
👉 Who still wears their Bushido cross?
👉 Do you think Australian kickboxing would be what it is today if it weren’t for Bob Jones and Zen Do Kai?
And another one…
How many fighters, trainers, and referees came through a Zen Do Kai background?
We want to hear from you.
📖 Share your stories
📸 Post your old photos
🥋 Tag your gym, sensei, teammates, or officials
This is history worth preserving and passing on.
🥋🔥👊📸
