5 Years of Shinzen Dojo Berlin: An Evening of Friendship, Gratitude, and Vision
On the 9 of November 2024, Shinzen Dojo Berlin celebrated its fifth anniversary at the “All Seasons” restaurant in Berlin-Spandau. From 17:00 onwards, over 60 members, friends and families gathered to toast this special milestone together and to honour the history and future of the dojo. It was an evening full of memories, appreciation and plans for the coming years.
The evening at a glance
- Location and Date: All Seasons Restaurant, Berlin-Spandau, November 9, 2024
- Time: 17:00 to approx. 20:30
- Number of participants: Over 60 students, parents, friends, and guests of honor
- Agenda: A look back at the history of the dojo, words of thanks to those offering congratulations and supporters, and a special announcement
The history of Shinzen Dojo Berlin: Presentation by Senpai Son
Den Auftakt des Abends machte eine Präsentation von Senpai Anh Son Le, dem Gründer und Leiter des Dojos. Er nahm uns with auf eine Reise in die Anfänge and die Entwicklung des Shinzen Dojo Berlin.
Beginnings and development:
- Die ersten Kyokushin-Kurse für Kinder wurden bereits 2016 in Berlin-Steglitz angeboten.
- 2019 saw the first official training for adults in Möckernstraße.
- Heute befindet sich das Haupt-Dojo in der Kolonnenstraße in Berlin-Schöneberg und bietet Training für über 40 Mitglieder für Jugendliche und Erwachsene an.
Senpai Son beschrieb die Herausforderungen und Achievements der letzten fünf Jahre und betonte, wie wichtig das Konzept von „Shinzen” – friendship – was as a basis for the founding and development of the dojo.
“Without the support and trust of the community, this path would not have been possible,” he explained.
What does “Shinzen” mean?
The name “Shinzen” (親善) means friendship and expresses the values that guide the dojo. In Shinzen Dojo Berlin, “Shinzen”Shinzen” is more than just a word; it is the foundation that keeps students, parents, and trainers together.
Here, students learn Kyokushin Karate Kyokushin Karate with respect, gratitude, and dedication. Friendship and support among one another are essential and make the dojo a place where community and personal growth go hand in hand.
Mas OyamaMas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, once said:
„One becomes a beginner after one thousand days of training and an expert after ten thousand days of practice.“
For Shinzen Dojo Berlin, this path is a shared one, supported by friendship and mutual respect.
Thanks to those offering congratulations and supporters
A special moment of the evening was the expression of thanks to everyone who extended their congratulations on the anniversary.
Those offering congratulations included: Soshi Kazuyuki Hasegawa,
- Soshi Kazuyuki Hasegawa
- Saiko Shihan Roel Wildeboer
- Shihan Yoshihiko Nakahata
- Sensei Alfonso Torregrossa
- Kuristina Oyama
- Senpai Paul Kniep
Ihr Zuspruch und ihre Unterstützung sind ein wertvoller Bestandteil der Dojo-Gemeinschaft und inspirieren uns, weiterhin with Herz and Hingabe Kyokushin Karate in Berlin zu fördern.
Thanks to the students, parents, and organizers
A big thank you also goes to all the students, parents, and organizers who actively helped with the preparation of this event and contributed to the success of the evening with their generous gifts. In the words of Senpai Son:
“Arigatou gozaimasu! Your support means a lot to me and shows that the Shinzen Dojo is a place of true community and friendship.”
We would especially like to thank our former student Denis, who created a beautiful cake with the Shinzen Dojo logo – a real highlight of the evening!
The future of the Shinzen Dojo Berlin: Foundation of the Shinzen Dojo Berlin e.V.
As a crowning conclusion to the evening, Senpai Son made an important announcement: The founding of the Shinzen Dojo Berlin e.V. is imminent. With the founding of this association, the dojo will be placed on an even stronger foundation for the future and will allow the community surrounding Kyokushin Karate to continue to grow.
This is a step to continue to live up to the values of “Shinzen” and to realize the vision of a strong, long-term dojo in Berlin.
“True strength lies not only in technique, but in the ability to grow as a community,” said Senpai Son.
With humility and gratitude, we look to the future and continue to set the goal of promoting not only physical but also character strength through Kyokushin Karate.
A conclusion in gratitude
We would like to thank everyone who is part of this journey and who made this evening an unforgettable experience. Here is to the coming years and to continuing to walk side by side on our Kyokushin path.
OSU!
Arigatou gozaimasu!
