15 competitors represented Saskatchewan at the World Championships. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Martial Arts

Prince Albert dojo excels at World Martial Arts Championships in Germany

Jul 2, 2025 | 5:03 PM

Competing this month at a World Martial Arts Championship in Germany were 45 students from Saskatchewan, including four representing the Kuro Tora Dojo in Prince Albert.

A number of them returned home with some large shiny belts and medals.

Noting the eight hour trip to Arnsberg that included both a plane flight, a train ride, and a 10 hour layover in Toronto, Hanshi Wolfgang Manicke said he was very proud of all his students.

“I’m really proud of them because I didn’t expect that because it was a long day, long travel and everybody was kind of quiet. I told them try to come in in the top 10, then be happy and then they excelled,” he said.

The two day tournament featured competitors from all over the world, including Bulgaria and even Madagascar. Manicke who has attended a number of similar tournaments, also received a special belt for being the oldest competitor at 69. He noted the biggest difference between how students train in Canada versus those in Europe is the students overseas don’t do as much Kata or weapons sparring. He also admitted the European competitors hit much harder.

BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY

From fines to treats: Lloydminster rewards good deeds with Positive Ticketing Program

8h ago

Back-to-school help

North Battleford mom launches school supply drive

9h ago

PAGC Urban Services supplies 1,500 kids with back-to-school essentials

9h ago

“They have much more contact in Europe than we do here you know so we found that out, especially the first night when we watched all the tai boxing and everything. There was this little eight-year old boy, he walked away with two big belts but could he fight,” Manicke said. “They are just more into it.”

Manicke is celebrating his 50th anniversarey as a black belt. (Facebook)

Noting the personal expenses that come with a tournament so far away, Manicke said they are already planning to return in 2027.

“You know, that gives everybody enough time to plan. And now, everybody else has seen the belts, what we did, so they all want to come now.”

Zachary McDonald, 10, is a green belt and won second in weapons sparring and third in both kata and regular sparring. He noted one obvious challenge that comes with competing in a different country.

“I couldn’t understand what they were saying,” he said, but added he had a really good time and wants to go back.

Justin Naytowhow, an orange belt, admitted he was very nervous about going overseas to Germany.

“I was nervous but when I got there, I just felt some different type of energy. I felt all right and I was feeling better than ever in my life,” he said.

Naytowhow who won two gold belts and a third place medal, acknowledged his own family was also nervous about him going and so a special sweat was held to help get rid of all the negative energy. In the end, Naytowhow was grateful for the experience.

“Seeing a bunch of people, meeting new people and we all fought together and we were all just together in that moment. It was just special to me and it was fun,” he said.

In addition to the Prince Albert club, there were also students from Nipawin, Warman and Regina.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social