Opening its doors literally at the outset of one of the biggest and most disruptive events in recent history in the shape of COVID-19 was always going to throw down a myriad of challenges for the Dojo, but they are ones that founder Alexis Plantard accepted and took in his stride.
“The first 12 months were certainly a challenge due to the various health-related restraints that were imposed by the authorities here in Thailand, and rightfully so,” French national Alexis explained. “It meant shortly after opening our doors to students we then were forced to close them almost immediately. But it was the same for so many others and was such a difficult time with so many unknowns that there was no choice but to follow the rules.”
Once restrictions were relaxed somewhat, the Dojo reopened to the public and in no time was making its mark. Participating at the National Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Bangkok in November 2020, Alexis’ team of young students emerged with an incredible 18 medals, including eight golds, nine silver and one bronze – not bad given they had only been in training for a couple of months.
It set the tone for what was to come under the watchful eye of a man who is no slouch himself on the mat. Consistently among the medal places at a variety of international competitions, Alexis most recently won a silver medal in the men’s 90-kilogramme weight class at the Hong Kong International Judo Open on Feb 25. Two weeks prior, he won silver at the national French Sambo wrestling tournament to qualify for the world championships in Tajikstan in October. (Sambo sees traditional wrestling techniques fused with jiu-jitsu and judo moves).
Honour and respect
Alexis teaches judo, jiu-jitsu and wrestling at the Dojo, situated in the Blue Tree complex in Cherng Talay. The number of students have blossomed since those early days of late 2020 and now boasts a colourful collection of characters who all are showing excellent signs of progress, ranging in age from seven to 14.
“All the students have flourished in their own ways and are collectively making great strides,” Alexis told us. “The likes of David, Tomo, Gabin, Danil, Oscar, Oliver, Sota, Kichii, Leo, Mayel, Timur, Naithon, Damir, Rayan and Meera have not only been regularly securing medals at international level competitions but developing the martial arts code of conduct to become better versions of themselves.”
Alexis explained to The Phuket News not long after opening back in 2020 that the true objective of the Dojo is to develop martial arts values. “It’s not about actually getting a black belt but more so about how to conduct oneself with honour and respect under the code of a black belt. The moral code of martial arts is to teach kids how to become a good person.”
Developing such values of respect, discipline and honour is to be applauded, particularly in a world that fast seems to be losing a grasp on such notions. Alexis leads by example and respects his art and his students, something that is clearly reciprocated if you spend anytime watching a training session at the Dojo.
Among last year’s highlights was the team securing number one national ranking within Thailand in the under-12 age classification at the National Championships of Judo in Nakhon Si Thammarat in April. To close out the year, 19 members of the Dojo team joined 550 other athletes from more than 40 clubs to participate at the Malaysian Judo Open in December where an incredible 17 medals were amassed.
Most recently eight of the team were in action at the Sydney Open Judo Championships last weekend (Mar 2-3) where a further nine medals were secured, including a bronze for newcomer Miguel.
Prior to that it was the Philippines Open Judo Championships on the weekend of Jan 13-14 were the team shone and amassed a seven-medal haul, including six golds, while next weekend, Alexis will be in action at the Hong Kong Open Judo Championship.
It is clear Alexis is creating magic within the four walls of the Dojo by not only developing his students physically but mentally, installing commendable values and setting them on the right path in life. The Dojo has come a long way since those challenging early days of 2020 and the only issue nowadays is whether the shelving at the Blue Tree venue is big enough to hold the masses of medals and trophies that have amassed and will no doubt continue to do so moving forward.