Aleksandra Jurgas

When and where did you start training Jodo?
I started training at the SKK Kyojinbukan club in 2023.

Why did you decide to start practicing Jodo?
My Sensei once mentioned that I’d probably enjoy Iaido and should come to a training session. So I did — I tried both Iaido and Jodo, and just stayed ever since :)

What does a typical Jodo practice look like for you?
Most of the time we focus on 2–3 selected kata. We go from the general idea to the small details, breaking down the techniques that make up the form. We also spend a lot of time talking about the meaning behind each kata — what’s happening and why — and about the spirit of the fight.
Sometimes we have sessions focused on single techniques that appear in Jodo, and for that kihon training (tandoku dosa or sotai dosa) works best.

Tell us about your first European Jodo Championships. What were your impressions?
My first European Championships were in Zielona Góra in 2025 — so, not far for me to travel. My first big impression was that five of us managed to fit into one Duster and didn’t have to go back for a second car! What really surprised me, in a good way, was the positive atmosphere during the event. Everyone treated their opponents more like good friends than rivals standing in the way of a gold medal — or at least that’s how it felt ;)
And probably the most memorable moment was cleaning the floor until midnight the night before the event. It was hard work, but I remember it fondly — all the volunteers and competitors together, scrubbing floors, drinking beer, listening to music, and joking around.

Which moment of the championships stuck in your memory the most?
Apart from the floor-cleaning — definitely the finals. Five people from Poland made it to the finals! I held my breath before every result announcement, especially my own.
Before my match, I kept repeating to myself: “Do it like you mean to kill.” And it worked — I won unanimously. Walking off the floor, I couldn’t hold my serious face anymore and just started smiling. I remembered how it feels to win — such a great feeling. But honestly, right after that I started worrying about how my teammates would do and kind of forgot about my own fight. I was really proud of all of us.

Do you have any tried-and-true ways to deal with stress during competitions?
I think it’s mostly a matter of experience for me now. I’ve been to many international tournaments — maybe not in this exact discipline, but the stress is always the same.
During my performance, I sort of tune out the rest of the world. It’s just me and what I have to do. So I guess my strategy is simply focusing completely on the goal.

What’s the most demanding aspect of Jodo for you?
Working with a partner — it’s both challenging and fascinating. You need to sense the distance, timing, and your partner’s skill level. But above all, the hardest thing is staying focused and fully aware of what you’re doing at all times.

Tell us about your competition achievements in Jodo at the European Championships and other tournaments.
EJC 2025 – gold medal in Shodan category, Polish Jodo Championships 2025 – silver medal in Shodan category, …and that’s it for my competition career so far :)

What goals do you set for yourself today?
To become more and more aware of what, why, and how I do things in Jodo and Iaido. I also want to stay closely connected to the spirit of Budo — and let any medals come naturally as a result of that relationship.