.jpg "Footwork check")
3 years ago when the International Kendo Federation (IKF) entered GIAF and rebranded itself FIK many people wondered whether it was for the protection of kendo as it exists today, or for a push to join the Olympics. Like many others I had assumed (and unashamedly hoped) it was the former. However, a new piece of news caught my attention recently that has made me wonder out loud (see picture).
Since that picture was taken (Dec 2008) it has been decided: a new international martial arts competition – “SportAccord Martial Arts and Combat Sports Games” – will be held in Beijing in September 2010 and kendo will take part.
According to this months issue of Kenso (the ZNKR monthly magazine) kendo’s participation will be some non-shiai demonstration matches and perhaps some individual competition, not something on the scale of the World Kendo Championships. However – I don’t know about you – it seems like a rather large step forward in the direction of Olympic participation.
For a little bit of English information from FIK, see here.
On a rather chilly, but otherwise sunny Sunday morning, the quiet morning sky over Steveston, BC, Canada, was pierced by the fierce kiai of a group of very serious ladies. Team Canada and Team USA had taken the opportunity of the Steveston Taikai the day before to arrange a series of friendly matches between the two ladies teams. This would give both coaches an opportunity to test out new talent (or ‘old’ talent in new roles) and give the players a chance of testing their skills against some of their strongest rivals.
The quality of the kendo was astounding, with many of the players covering all the bases in physical, technical and mental ability and a fierceness that most would struggle to match.
You would struggle to find a higher level of (female) kendo outside Japan and Korea and I think even those two countries should be wary of both USA and Canada.
The format was 4 full team matches, with Team USA ‘winning’ 3-1 and I think both coaches and players took a lot of positives (along with material to improve) with them home.
Look here in the near future for an in-depth interview with Dean Ara, the coach of Team Canada Ladies.
With the impending World Kendo Championships, I know that in Britain, and I ‘m sure in many other countries around the world, that there are many people who are hoping to make selection for their National Team. It is indeed a great honour to participate in such an event, and be a representative of one’s country. However, to be selected is no easy task, and I certainly cannot write a definitive guide on ‘how to be chosen’. However, as someone who has been lucky enough to be selected in the past, for European Championships and of course the World Championships, perhaps I can offer some advice at least to those trying out. Once again, I am keen to stress this article is not a definitive system of how to ensure selection, nor is it any reflection on how the British team is selected either – I’m simply not privy to that information.
There’s a lot of talk in the media at the moment about gold medals. Olympic gold medals to be precise. The word ‘Olympic’ is something of a swear word in many kendo circles around the globe, and the concept of Kendo being involved in the Olympics is a much argued and rather controversial subject. Either way, at present, Kendo is not an Olympic sport and is probably unlikely to become one in the near future. However, we do have a contest more important to us than the Olympic Games – you guessed it! The World Kendo Championships!
In just 1 year’s time, the most important Kendo tournament will be held again in Sao Paulo. As a National Team member the very words ‘World Kendo Championships’ send a little tingle down my spine.
I first witnessed the WKC when the 12th tournament came to Glasgow in 2003. I was new to Kendo then, and was simply in awe of the sight that was before me! The members of Team GB were like minor kendo celebrities to me, and it was at that championship that I decided to make becoming a member of that team my goal.
Fast forward 3 years and I was landing in Taipei, as one of the fresh, inexperienced members of the team. The experience of witnessing that taikai became something I will never forget. For the 12 previous tournaments, spanning 36 years, team Japan had won every single gold medal. But this year in an unexpected turnaround the Japanese men’s team was defeated in the semi finals by the Americans. And eventually Korea, Japans biggest rival throughout the years, became the first ever non-Japanese tournament champions.
However, although this made the news, it was probably not the most important thing that arose from these championships, instead as always, The World Kendo Championships played a monumental role in the international development of Kendo. Because Kendo, really is about interacting with others, a kind of universal language with which we can converse and form strong friendships. And for me, the WKC gave a chance to challenge my own ambition, and in my own way I have won my ‘gold medal’ albeit metaphorically. How will you win yours?
