OUR STORY
The evolution of our club
The non-profit organization has undergone several changes in recent years. That's why we like to jump back to the very beginning. The club started as De Ronin, led by Sensei Charles Charpentier. Sensei Charles Charpentier is 2nd dan shotokan Karate Do. During the training sessions, his goal was to distribute the pure philosophy of Shotokan karate among his members.
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In 1992 Marcel Morton became a member of De Ronin. After many years of training, Sensei Marcel obtained his 1st Dan Shotokan Karate Do in 1999, under the guidance of Sensei Marc Boels, student of Sensei Charles and also 2nd Dan Shotokan Karate Do. The club was transferred from Sensei Charles to Sensei Marc in 1998 and from Sensei Marc to Sensei Marcel in 2001. Since then, Sensei Marcel has been building on the philosophy of sensei Charles and sensei Marc. This means that the original style, Shotokan Karate Do, still forms the basis of training in the club.
Ronin Mechelen has grown to such an extent between 2011 and 2017 that changes were necessary in 2018. For example, the club has been converted into a non-profit organization. The training sessions are given at 1 location. The training team has been reinforced with an extra sensei. Sensei Bart Droog has been appointed to supervise the training sessions alongside Sensei Marcel.
The aim of our non-profit organization is to practice the martial arts offered in a safe and controlled environment. The non-profit organization guarantees that every individual can develop personally within the limits of knowledge. Where respect is high in line for both the individual and the group.
​The club is always open to new members, everyone is welcome as long as the age of 6 is reached. In order to strengthen the group spirit, we try to include as many external training sessions, events, internships, etc. as possible during the sports year.
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SHOTOKAN KARATE
The foundation on which our club is built
Shotokan Karate is a martial art. Its origins can be traced back to the school of Gichin Funakoshi, the father of modern Karate.
Because of his influence and guidance, this became the first recognized Karate style by the Emperor of Japan. This allowed the Japanese people to learn the karate style. Shotokan quickly became regarded as the "sport" for primary, secondary and higher education children. The Shotokan style is not only known in Japan, but is today the most practiced style of Karate worldwide.
The fundamentals of Shotokan Karate-Do are mainly Kihon (line exercises), Kata (style exercises) and Kumite (partner exercises). These foundations can still be found in many Dojos around the world. In this way they continue to provide a good basis for Karate-Do.
RYUKYU KARATE
Deepening the martial arts
Ryukyu karate jutsu is a martial art that originated in Okinama. Ryukyu stands for the kingdom of islands south of Japan. The largest island of this group is Okinawa.
Karate-Jutsu is a designation given to a karate style closer to the original form (Japanese name) "TE".
When practicing Karate-Jutsu you often come across techniques from other martial arts. An example of this are the throwing and clamping techniques that you will find in Judo, Ju-Jutsu and Aiki Jutsu. As well as weapons training with various weapons, such as bo, boken, nunchucku and sai.
All these techniques and various training are necessary on the one hand for the coordination of the karatekas. On the other hand, for preserving the techniques that have been practiced for hundreds of years.
The main focus in Karate-Jutsu is self-defense. That is the original purpose of "TE" in Okinawa.
