Tomasz Gabrusewicz

When and where did you start Jodo training?
I began my Jodo training during a training trip to Sweden. This was shortly after I passed the 1st dan iaido exam with Sensei Adam Kitkowski. We practiced at Sensei Takao Momiyama's dojo in 2013.

Why did you start practicing Jodo?
It seemed like a natural progression to me that, while practicing iaido, I should expand my training to include Jodo in order to develop my skills. This was the approach taken by the best iaidokas in Poland (like Sensei Kitkowski and Sensei Machura) and beyond.

Describe your typical Jodo training session.
I did not decide on my training; the teachers made those decisions. I always tried to train with purpose, although it didn't always work out.

Describe the first European Championships you participated in. Share your impressions from that competition.
My first European Championships were in 2013 in Linz, shortly after I started my journey with Jodo. It was a great honor, but also quite stressful, as I imposed high expectations on myself regarding the outcome... I ended up just off the podium.

Which moment from the championships stands out the most in your memory?
The European Championships in 2014 in Turin. Just five minutes before entering the shiai, Sensei Łukasz Machura told me, "Now you can finish at maximum." This was a reference to my past as a road cyclist. I won't elaborate further, as there wouldn't be enough space :)

Do you have any proven methods for dealing with stress during competitions?
I don't focus on the outcome. Instead, I concentrate on demonstrating the best of what I have been taught and what I have understood. Often, what I have been taught doesn't align with what I have understood :)

What is the most challenging aspect of Jodo for you?
Understanding kata. Its significance in the entire mental and physical training process.

Present your competitive achievements in Jodo at the European Championships and other tournaments.
In 2013, I won a tournament in Falkenberg, Sweden. At the XIII European Championships in Turin, Italy, I placed 1st in shodan and 3rd in the team event. At the XIV European Championships in Sweden, I secured 3rd place in the team event.

What goals do you set for yourself today?
To simply train.