Last August, we had the opportunity to start this year’s Kendo season with an unique delegation of high-level teachers from Japan. A five day long seminar allowed the participants to sharpen their skills. Our Summer event becomes popular to our foreign friends as well since peoplefrom Czech Republik, France, La Réunion Island, Germany, Greece, Great Britain & Spain attended this time. A very interesting lecture was held on Saturday about the deeper meaning of kendo practise by Hirakawa sensei. Feel free to download here Lecture august 2011 NH.
News
10th Anniversary Edition
The 10th Edition of the ABKF Koryu Seminar was held the 26-27-28 august 2011. The seminar was organised as part of the ABKF Summer Seminar 2011 and was located in Louvain La Neuve. It was a success thanks to our faithful Japanese sensei delegation composed of Oda K. 8th Dan Hanshi – Katsumata K. 8th Dan Kyoshi – Furuichi N. 8th Dan Kyoshi – Tsuchiya H. 7th Dan Kyoshi and the help of the koryu seminar staff.
During those 10 years many other sensei honoured us with their teachings and the ABKF wanted to celebrate this anniversary by giving a present to all the participants, a small magnet replica of the Hokusai Katsushika Ukiyo-e Gaifū kaisei (凱風快晴) accompanied with the list of all the great sensei who teached us: Kishimoto Chihiro, Oda Katsuo, Hattori Yoshihiro, Hattori Hizu, Miyata Tadayuki, Aoki Eiji, Kuno Michio, Katsumata Kenichi, Furuichi Norio, Harada Hideo, Yoda Fumiko, Nagayama Kuniaki, Tsushiya Hisao, Kamoshita S., Takeda N., Shooji Toyoko. Thank you senseis.
This year’s edition gathered more than one hundred participants including Belgians but also many friends from other countries such as Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Hungary and Russia. Our first training was dedicated to ZKR Iai practice dividing participants into 3 groups: mudan-shodan, nidan-sandan and yondan-godan. The participants were then (saturday and sunday) divided into 5 groups: Muso shinden Ryu, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, Tamiya Ryu, ZKR Iai for mudan/shodan and Examination group.
The 10th edition anniversary was also the opportunity to organize a special event. An embu taikai with modified rules: 3 participants per match, 4 judges with one additional blue flag, the 4th judge only deciding in equality cases. For participants under nidan 3x free zkr iai kata were requested and for nidan and up 3x free Koryu. Embu taikai was fun and judgment was mainly focusing on the depth of practice, kigurai and fukaku of the competitors.
This year’s edition was a success and the Japanese sensei were very happy to see all participants making year after year efforts to improve their Iaido level and we hope to see you all next year for the 11th ABKF Iaido Koryu seminar.
Today we received from the All Japan Kendo Federation a letter regarding the donation done earlier this year…Letter for ABKF donation
Our member, C. Maes was invited by the Federation of Jordan to lead the first seminar for Kendo ever in their country. Before his visit, they had already some experience with Iaido & Jodo (and some Belgian visitors) but this seminar is the start for active Kendo practise in Amman…
From now on, the minimum age for attending a shodan (1st dan) examination in Kendo, Iaido & Jodo is 13 years old instead of 14. Decision was taken dring a recent meeting of the International Kendo Federation (FIK) Please note.
ABKF got the result of the selection made by ZNKR for their Kendo seminar in Kitamoto (J) today.
- Stéphane Klugkist (Yu-Hi)
- Patrick Van Nieuwenhove (Enmei Ryu)
Best wishes & good luck !
Today, May 13th, we got the info from Zen Ken Ren that our friend and President of VKIJF, Christiaan Maes, was awarded the title of “Renshi”. Congratulations, Chris!
European Kendo Championships 2011
Our National Kendo Team at the European Kendo Championships in Gdynia (Poland).
Delegation:
- Daniel Delepière – leader
- Marc Namèche – manager
- Serge Hendrickx & Chieko Yano – coach
- Jean Claude Wolfs & Chris Maes – official EKF selected referees
- Xavier Roubedou, Sara Van Laecken, Aaron Vande Mergel, Makoto Grosfils & Dries Vande Mergel – junior team members
- Rachel Buysse, Arsenia Corcoba, Isha Van Alsenoy, Lisa Van Laecken & Maaike Steyaert – ladies team
- Benoit Rose, Celest Vinck, Sean Van Laecken, Geert Van Dort, Peter D’Hont, Carrol Tange & Wesley Haeke – men team
First day of the event, Junior team & individuals & Ladies team competitions.
Our Junior team came out of its pool as first country by winning from Russia & Czech Republic but lost at the 1/4 finals from Spain at the end of an extra match (ippon shobu). In the individual tournament, the situation was a little more difficult but all members did well. The result was finally a “Fighting Spirit” award for our “National” Sara.
Ladies team had to meet Hungary & Czech Republic. A draw against Hungary whom won against the Czech and a loss of our members against the Czech made the story of the Ladies team come to an end at this first day of the 24th EKC.
Saturday, May 7th, Men team matches’ day… Belgian team became first of his pool by winning from Latvia & Russia. In the league matches, won from Macedonia but at the end lost in 1/4 final from Switzerland. European champion this year is Hungary who beat Italy. At the end of the day, another “fighting spirit” for our team by Wesley Haeke.
Sunday, last day of the Championships… Ladies & Men individuals…
All Belgian participants did very well (more details later) but news of fthe day is… another “Fighting Spirit” award for the delegation. This time, Rachel Buysse got the price for the quality of her matches…
After the closing ceremony, a quick run to another gym for the Dan examinations… besides the “regular” 1st to 5th dan, we have 6 new 6th dan and 2 new 7th dan in Europe.
At the moment, we’re writing these words, the sayonara party just started…
All complete results at the official website.