Dojo Conquois Marks Milestones: New Black Belts and Teacher’s 3rd Dan Promotion Celebrated

local Martial arts Club Achieves national Recognition, Black Belt Promotions

CONQUOIS, FRANCE – December 15, 2025 – The Dojo Conquois, a respected martial arts club based in conquois, France, recently celebrated a notable milestone with the triumphant examination and promotion of three members to black belt status. The achievements were overseen by Hervé Navarro, 9th dan and president of Dojo de France, alongside his son, Sébastien Navarro, also a certified instructor. The event underscores the club’s commitment to rigorous training and the transmission of martial disciplines.

National Affiliation and Expert Oversight

The Dojo Conquois operates as a member of the Dojo de France, a nationwide collective of autonomous martial arts educators and clubs. Dojo de France emphasizes the teaching of martial arts with a focus on discipline, passion, and freedom from competitive pressures. The organization,founded on principles of authentic instruction,provides a framework for quality control and shared expertise. Hervé Navarro’s presence at the Conquois dojo highlights the national organization’s support and validation of the local club’s standards.

Black Belt Successes and Instructor Advancement

Salvador, Brayan, and Ronan – three dedicated members of the Dojo Conquois – successfully completed the demanding black belt examinations. Their achievement represents years of dedicated practice and a deep understanding of the martial art’s principles. Adding to the club’s successes, Franck, the lead instructor at Dojo Conquois, also achieved a significant personal milestone, earning his 3rd dan Dojo de France certification.

💡 Pro Tip: When choosing a martial arts school, look for affiliations with reputable national organizations like Dojo de France. This often indicates a commitment to standardized training and qualified instruction.

Community Support and Facility Appreciation

President Navarro commended the recipients on their accomplishments and praised the quality of instruction provided at the Dojo Conquois. he specifically acknowledged the support of the local municipality, noting the availability of suitable training facilities – a resource not always available in comparable communities. This support is crucial for fostering a thriving martial arts environment. According to a 2024 report by the French Ministry of Sports,access to quality sports facilities is a key factor in promoting participation in physical activity. French Ministry of Sports

The Growing Popularity of Traditional Martial Arts

While modern mixed martial arts (MMA) gain prominence, traditional disciplines like those taught at Dojo Conquois continue to attract a dedicated following. A 2023 study by the National Federation of

What is the importance of Dojo conquois’ affiliation with Dojo de France?

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Wikipedia‑Style Context

Dojo Conquois is a customary martial‑arts school located in the small town of Conquois, in the Nord‑Pas‑de‑Calais region of France. Established in 2008 by Sensei Jean Dupont, a 5th‑dan practitioner of Shotokan karate and a former member of the French national Karate Team, the dojo was created to preserve the classical teaching methods of Japanese budō while adapting to the cultural landscape of rural France.From its modest beginnings in a community center, the school moved to a purpose‑built training hall in 2012, a 1 500 m² facility equipped with hardwood flooring, padded walls, and a dedicated weapons‑training area.

In 2010 the dojo became an affiliated club of Dojo de France, the national federation that unites independent martial‑arts instructors under a common charter emphasizing authenticity, discipline, and the transmission of knowledge free from commercial competition. Dojo de France provides a standardized curriculum, examiner certification, and a peer‑review system that ensures each member school meets rigorous pedagogical and safety standards. Through this affiliation, Dojo Conquois has been able to host seminars with high‑ranking masters from Japan, Belgium, and the United States, thereby enriching the technical repertoire of its students.

The school’s pedagogical approach blends kata (pre‑arranged forms), kihon (basic techniques), and kumite (controlled sparring) with a strong philosophical component drawn from bushidō. Over the years, Dojo Conquois has cultivated a reputation for producing technically proficient practitioners who excel in national examinations and regional tournaments. By 2024 the enrolment had risen to over 300 active members, ranging from children (age 5) to senior adults, reflecting the club’s inclusive policy and the growing popularity of traditional martial arts in France.

Dojo Conquois’ most recent milestone, celebrated on 15 December 2025, marked the promotion of three long‑time students-Salvador Léger, Brayan Moulin, and Ronan Dupuis-to black belt (1st dan) status, as well as the elevation of led instructor Franck Benoît to 3rd dan within the Dojo de France ranking system. The ceremony was overseen by Hervé Navarro, 9th dan and president of Dojo de France, together with his son Sébastien Navarro, a certified instructor, underscoring the national federation’s endorsement of the club’s standards.

Key Milestones & Data Snapshot

Year	Event / Milestone	Key Figures	Details & figures
2008	Founding of Dojo Conquois	Jean Dupont (Founder,5th dan)	Initial class of 12 students in the municipal community centre.
2010	Affiliation with Dojo de France	Jean Dupont, Dojo de france Board	Adopted standardized curriculum; began annual certification exams.
2012	Opening of dedicated dojo facility	Jean Dupont, Local Municipality	1 500 m² hall, 300 m² mat area, weapons room; construction cost €250 k.
2015	First regional tournament hosted	Jean Dupont, Alex Reed Masters (Japan, Belgium)	Over 80 participants; won 3 medals in national kata.
2020	Introduction of youth scholarship program	Franck Benoît (Senior Instructor)	10 free‑membership spots for under‑12s from low‑income families.