ANU Kendo Club

Canberra Nara Candle Festival

This year the candle festival is on Saturday 18th September at Canberra-Nara park (behind the Hyatt hotel). Our demo will be at 3.45pm this year.
For more information on the festival.

The Russians: visit from Vitali, Sergy and Sergy of the Primorsky Kendo Federation

Our 'brothers' arrived on Friday 3 rd September, and will be training with us until Friday 17 September. It has taken nearly a year in planning, and we very much appreciate the efforts made by Vitaly Petrov, Sergey Osyka, and Sergey V au lin of the Primorsky Kendo Federation ( Vladivostok), to travel to Canberra and train with us. This is Vitali and Sergy V au lin's second visit to Canberra. Vitali and Sergey were part of the team that were the Russia team champions from 2005-2007.

ACT Open

The ACT Open was held on September 4-5, as heavy rain pelted on the roof of the ANUSRA's new gymnasium.
The brave members of the NSW community arrived and after a brief shimpan seminar by Joe Semmler Sensei, the kyu individuals commenced. All dan members had been allocated into shimpan teams, with the aim to instill shimpaning experience. Itakura Sensei worked tirelessly to instruct inexperienced shimpan, and also functioned as Court Judge, with Joe Semmler Sensei Court Judge and Shimpan instructor for the other court. The kyu final was inspiring, with Jenny Song taking out the match with elegant, technical kendo.

The Dan teams commenced after a brief bento-box lunch. 10 teams contended for the final, including “Team Russia” – Three members of the Primorsky Kendo Federation, Vitali, Sergy, Sergy, and Honourary Russian Phil Baker. However, the final was between ANUKC 1 and Sydney, with ANU as Runner's Up, after some brilliant performances (including a notable one by Darren Boyd ) to secure a place in the final.

Dinner that evening was at the ‘Jewel of India' in Civic, where the company, surroundings, food and service was excellent; and well concluded the day.

Muscles were stiff and numbers reduced the following morning for the shimpan seminar. Sano Sensei joined Joe Sensei and Itakura Sensei in Shimpan instruction and keiko, after which Joe and Sano finished with an epic jekeiko. Cornelius Webber kindly supplied us with some very excellent pizza from Holt Pizza Capers.

The ANU Kendo Club wishes to thank the three Sensei for their instruction, our interstate kendoka for participating in competition, shimpan and odd-jobs, for all members of the ANUKC who contributed to the smooth running of the event; and special mention to Gaye and Owen Horrobin who volunteered all Saturday, despite not competing.

Thankyou also to Jason Tankard who provided the photographic documentation of the weekend (two images of his top right), and more photos of his are to be loaded, in the mean-time, check out his Facebook page.

Japan Week Demonstrations

Darren, Sharyn and Jun performed a demonstration for Japan week on the grassed area outside the Chiefly library on Monday June 30.

Tajima, Tanaka and Maki Sensei visit

Tajima Sensei 7 Dan, Tanaka Sense 6 Dan and Maki Sensei 6 Dan visited Canberra after the Founder's Cup, from Monday 9 - Wednesday 11 August, and provided the club with excellent instruction during their stay. We all gained new insights into Bokkuto waza and basic technique. Maki-Sensei took the women and demonstrated some excellent techniques for improving ki-ken-tai ichi. Phil and Brendan took the Sensei on a walking tour around the city.

 

Founder's Cup

So the early morning start in the freezing cold wasn't that flash. And standing around shivering waiting for people to arrive (late) at the meeting place, also not that glamorous. I do recall something about Haya Saburi as punishment for those who came late (haven't seen it yet though) [a matter of improving awareness in the dojo- Ed].

The cold start to the day was good preparation for day one bec au se the temperature in the dojo didn't feel much above freezing. It's true that even though we were acclimatised, our Kata and Shiai results weren't that flash. I don't think coming third in a couple of pools bec au se we got the buy qualifies us for bragging rights. However, Linda Xi did the club proud, receiving the ‘Outstanding player' award. Her kote and men cuts in her Kyu match were very elegant.

We had the most amazing Korean BBQ on Saturday night with Tanaka Sensei, Tajime Sensei, Maki Sensei and members of Han Rim Won dojang. Someone explained that we were having the ‘whole of cow' style of Korean BBQ, but judging by the amount of food we put away, I think they were politely trying to tell us that we had eaten a whole cow.

On day two we did well in gradings. On day two we did well in gradings (see table for results). The highlight was Elizabeth Warren double grading to 4 th Kyu. Congrats Elizabeth.

We finished the weekend with seminars with Tanaka Sensei, Tajime Sensei and Maki Sensei. Then a very weary group of people car-pooled back to Canberra.

Founder's Cup: 7-8 August, 2010,
Hosted by the Rim Won Kumdo Dojang,
Held at Macquarie University Sports Association (MUSA) Centre, Gymnasium Rd, Macquarie University NSW 2109

Chiba and Oda Sensei Seminars, Sydney

On Sunday August 1st Martino, Shayn and Cynthia travelled to Sydney SCG Sport Centre to participate in the seminar. Chiba sensei's instruction began with correct holding of the shinai, basic cutting and timing the cuts with fumikome. Basic cutting techniques culminated in seme exercises, and in generating the opportunities to cut through the application of seme. All three came away having learned new and valuable aspects of Kendo to work on.

Han Rim Won Kumdo Championships, and farewell to Louis

Martino, Sharyn, John, Louis, Nahid, Cornelius, Richard, and Elizabeth attended this event hosted by Han Rim Wong, on May 1st. Despite the 4am rise, we were energetic and keen! Richard got out of his pool, as did Martino, while John lost to Luke Lee. All played well and showed spirit; Elizabeth forcing her opponent out through a strong kamae, Louis executed a great hiki men, according to him, his best cut ever.Sharyn took bronze in the womens competition, loosing the semi to Daseul. An enormous meal and drinks fortified the team for the trip home. Thanks Martino nad Cornelius for driving. The event was a great opportunity to gain both shiai and shimpan practise.
Details of the competition can be found here. Thanks to Han Rim Won for hosting the event.

It was Louis's last event with the Club; he returned to France the next day. The club thanks you for your training and spirit, Louis, we hope we'll cross swords with you again in future! All the best.

National Championships, Melbourne

The championships were held at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic centre in Albert park. Team ACT included: Joe Semmler, Phil Baker, Martino Ellero, Darren Boyd, Brendan Kee (Team Manager) John Larkins, Charlie Brondolino, Sharyn Wragg, Jun Tang, Nahid Akbar, Long Nguyen, Liam Wilson, Gordy Lau, Elizabeth Warren, and Linda Xi (support). ACT put on a good performance, being narrowly defeated by much larger states (including the Dan teams).

Jun Tang achieved 2nd in the Kyu individuals. Sharyn, Nahid and Phil attended the seminars, where Phil achieved his godan grading, which happened to be on his birthday. Congratulations Phil!

Picton

The annual Grading Saturday and Joint Training Sunday was held at Picton on 30th & 31st January. Joe, Martino, Linda and Richard attended. Both Linda and Richard were successful in achieving their san kyu grading, and Richard won the Red and White competition, surviving the highest number of matches. Martino was the last man standing in the Red and White competition. Congratulations to all!