August 29th – 31st saw Cho Hyun Hong Sensei (5th Dan former Korean National Team member and teacher at Tora Dojo in London) run an intensive Kendo seminar in the Swedish town of Wasby. Broken down into numerous sessions spread over three days the seminar focussed on a number of areas: correct stretching and warm up, intensive fitness and conditioning, extensive Oikomi geiko (footwork drills), Shinai Kihon (suburi, haya suburi, kirikaeshi, Uchi komi geiko, kakari geiko, and hiki waza), Ouji waza, and Shiai.
The seminar was an intimate event with 25 kenshi, from Swedish and British National Team members to Swedish Club level, and consisted of promising junior talent, men, and ladies.
The smaller numbers allowed for a very close knit group that functioned very well together to a high technical level, and showed great team work and group spirit. On the second day of the Seminar we were lucky enough to be joined by Mats Wahlqvist Sensei 7th Dan, who joined in the camp as one of the group participants. This year was the second year in a row that Cho Sensei visited Sweden, and we hope to join our friends in Stockholm for another event in the near future.
We hope that through Goodwill Shiai, exchange programs, and mixed group training, Kendo nations in Europe can work together to raise each others level and promote positive rivalry. Providing motivation that will lead us all to further success on the World Kendo stage.
Special thanks to Swedish men’s Team Captain Henrik Johansson for organising the seminar.