The Judo-Verband Rheinland is set to host a special benefiz-jubiläumslehrgang (benefit anniversary training course) to celebrate 65 years of the Judo-Club-Neuwied eV, featuring renowned martial arts instructors Thomas Stein, Roman Jäger, and Klaus Schmidt.
According to promotional materials for the event, Thomas Stein holds the rank of 6.DAN in Judo, 8.DAN in Ju-Jitsu, and 2.DAN in Hanbo-Jitsu. Roman Jäger is listed as a 6.DAN Judo practitioner. Klaus Schmidt is noted with credentials of 5.DAN Jiu-Jitsu, 4.DAN Ju-Jutsu, and 3.DAN Modern Arnis.
The training course, organized under the auspices of the Judo-Verband Rheinland, brings together practitioners from various disciplines including Judo-SV, BJJ/Karate in SV, and Aikido, reflecting a broad martial arts focus for the anniversary celebration.
Thomas Stein’s extensive background spans multiple martial arts, with his 8.DAN in Ju-Jitsu representing one of the highest attainable ranks in that discipline, while his 2.DAN in Hanbo-Jitsu indicates proficiency in the traditional Japanese short stick fighting art.
Roman Jäger’s 6.DAN Judo certification places him among senior instructors in the German Judo Federation (DJB) structure, where such ranks typically require decades of dedicated practice and teaching contributions.
Klaus Schmidt’s inclusion as a clinician is notable given his cross-disciplinary rankings: 5.DAN in Jiu-Jitsu (reflecting advanced ground fighting expertise), 4.DAN in Ju-Jutsu (the parent art of many modern systems), and 3.DAN in Modern Arnis, a Filipino martial art emphasizing stick and knife techniques.
The event’s description as a “benefiz” (benefit) session suggests proceeds may support charitable causes or club initiatives, though specific fundraising details were not included in the source materials.
Held in Neuwied, a city in northwestern Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, the training course leverages the region’s strong martial arts tradition. Neuwied has hosted numerous regional and national judo events over the years, contributing to its reputation within German martial arts circles.
The Judo-Verband Rheinland oversees martial arts development across the Rhineland region, coordinating belt examinations, referee training, and club support for affiliated organizations like Judo-Club-Neuwied eV.
Celebrating 65 years of continuous operation marks a significant milestone for Judo-Club-Neuwied eV, highlighting its endurance and contribution to local sports culture since its founding in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Such anniversary training courses commonly serve dual purposes: honoring the club’s history while providing high-level instruction that might otherwise be inaccessible to regular members due to cost or geographic constraints.
The inclusion of instructors with Ju-Jitsu and Aikido backgrounds alongside Judo specialists indicates an openness to interdisciplinary learning, reflecting modern trends in martial arts where practitioners often study multiple complementary systems.
Modern Arnis, in which Klaus Schmidt holds a 3.DAN, was founded by Remy Presas in the Philippines and focuses on practical self-defense using sticks, blades, and empty-hand techniques, adding a distinct Southeast Asian dimension to the training.
Hanbo-Jitsu, referenced in Thomas Stein’s credentials, involves the use of the hanbo (a approximately 90cm wooden stick) for self-defense applications, representing a specialized niche within traditional Japanese martial arts.
While the exact date, venue, and registration details for the benefiz-jubiläumslehrgang were not specified in the available source, the event is positioned as a commemorative initiative by Judo-Verband Rheinland to support one of its long-standing member clubs.
Martial arts anniversaries of this scale often generate renewed interest in foundational techniques and values, with senior instructors like Stein, Jäger, and Schmidt serving as living links to decades of technical evolution and philosophical development.
For practitioners attending, the opportunity to train under multiple high-ranking instructors in a single session represents a concentrated learning experience that could cover standing techniques (Judo), ground fighting (Ju-Jitsu/Jiu-Jitsu), weapons work (Modern Arnis, Hanbo-Jitsu), and blending principles (Aikido).
The collaborative nature of such events reinforces the martial arts community’s emphasis on mutual respect and shared learning, even across different stylistic backgrounds—a principle central to budo (the martial way) philosophy.
As the Judo-Club-Neuwied eV marks this 65-year anniversary, the benefiz-lehrgang stands as both a celebration of past achievements and an investment in the club’s future through enhanced member skills and community engagement.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to consult official channels from Judo-Verband Rheinland or Judo-Club-Neuwied eV for confirmed schedules, locations, and registration procedures as the event details are finalized.
Have you attended a multi-disciplinary martial arts training event like this? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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