The 12th Australian Iaido (Sword drawing) and 2nd Australian Jodo (Stick/sword art) Championships were held in Hobart on 26/27 January, 2000 at the Bosco Centre, Guildford Young College, Glenorchy. The event was attended by martial artists from over Australia and a team of seven senior Japanese Masters specially visiting from Japan to assist in the running of this years event. Eleven members from Budokan Academy in Canning Vale represented Western Australia at this years event and achieved a very high success rate.
    Father and son combination, Ramon and Russell Lawrence, won the Australian Jodo Dan Pairs event from fellow club member Geordie Thompson and his partner from Queensland, Katsumi Kuramochi. Ramon Lawrence was placed second in the Australian Iaido Dan Grade Individual event. The WA “A” Team consisting of Ramon Lawrence, Jeri James and Geordie Thompson was placed second in the Iaido Dan Grade Team event and WA “B” Team consisting of Russell Lawrence, Ian Thomason and Jason Flockton was placed third. Tony Beston from Budokan Academy was placed third in the Australian Kyu Grade Jodo Pairs event with Aden Steinke from NSW. The other WA member to do very well was Hans Groesslinger from the Geraldton Kendo Club who was placed third in the Australian Iaido Kyu Grade Individual event.
    This is the second year in a row that the Budokan Academy members have dominated the Australian Championships in these two martial arts. Their membership continues to grow and Sensei Ramon Lawrence has been teaching country clubs such as the Geraldton Kendo Club to expand these martial arts in WA. This year new clubs will be formed in Albany, Manjimup, Bunbury and Dunsborough areas.
    The Budokan Academy was founded in January 1988 and teaches Kendo, Iaido, Jodo, Kempo, Jujutsu, Jojutsu and Self defence for children and adults of all ages from 5 years upwards. Potential new members interested in taking up any of these arts may contact Sensei Lawrence on 9455-1187 at the Budokan Academy in Canning Vale.