30th Australian National Kendo Championships

[Martino]

Hi All

For those (Australians) planning on taking part in this years seminar and championships. We have released the information pack and entry forms.

Be aware that we need you to inform your State body by the 4 of February If you want to attend.

More information can be found here (http://www.anukendo.org/nationals2005.htm).

Enjoy and hope to see you all in Canberra.

[Andoru]

Thanks Martino!

Will you guys be hosting the ACT Open this year?

[Martino]

Yep. Things are going mostly to plan.

It things go to plan, Phil and myself will not have to do to much as we are also grading.

Also please note dinner location a Pub. To help you unwind after a hard days training. :D

[tanueirin]

Hi Martino,

Thanks for the information pack. I just have two (touristy) questions:

- Civic pub - is that near town at all? I think most of us will be staying at the backpacker's accommodation in Mort St above King O'Malley's and will be restricted to walking-distance-only locations.
(Also please feel free to warn us if this place is less than suitable for innocent young kendoka :))

- New Hall - is this part of the ANU Sport and Rec Centre?

Thank you,
Angie Than

[Martino]

People who own Civil Pub also own King'o.

I know Civil Pub has a backpackers above it and that was the one we are trying to arrange discounts at. Suprise Surprise.
Mort St is the street that runs parallel to Civic pub. So as long as you can walk around a block you should be fine.

Also I am guessing there will be quit a few trips from the Venue to the Pub so lift home should be little problem.

re [i]innocent young kendoka[i/]: X rated material is legal in the ACT. We can take you to a couple of establishments and show you the way of the world...
Heck I am sure some not so innocent kendoka might want to join you on your tour/shopping trip (the Sensie would have a ball)

Correct, the New hall is part of the ANU Sport & Rec Centre.

[Andoru]

re [i]innocent young kendoka[i/]: X rated material is legal in the ACT. We can take you to a couple of establishments and show you the way of the world...
Heck I am sure some not so innocent kendoka might want to join you on your tour/shopping trip (the Sensie would have a ball)


Bwahahahahahahahaha! :devious:

Is Civic Pub the one we went to for din dins last June after the ACT competition?

[tanueirin]

Hehehe thank you very much Martino for the tourist tips. I'll have to hold you to that promise to show us the hot spots. You'll come along for the ride, won't you Andrew? ;)

Actually what I meant by "suitable for innocent young kendoka" was: "Will there be dingy sheets, strange stains and old man flashers at that backpackers, and should I spend the extra $10 a night to go somewhere else so I don't wake up to find someone in a black trenchcoat and an icepick hovering over me?" OK, granted, it might be someone from my own team anyway... :p

Actually Canberra City Backpackers at 7 Akuna St is looking very attractive now. (Spa and colour TV - woohoo!) Any comments about this one, especially stumbling distance from the Civic? It's definitely more than a block from Civic so it may be beyond our abilities...

PS. Sue Bonar says HI

[Stephen]

Thanks for the info update Martino.

Now I'd certainly have to be one of the innocent, not so young kendoka..I do hope I don't get corrupted on this little adventure:)

Tanueirin - If you and Susan get a room with a spa, I'm sure myself Ace and D will all be happy to visit after a hard days shiai hehehehehe

[Reubino]

Kendo championships? Sounds exciting! If I had more experience under my belt I would head up there for sure! Maybe next year when I hopefully reach Shodan grade. :-)

[tanueirin]

Stephen, it's a backpacker's - the spa is probably a small green bathtub with a small shower attachment. You guys can stay there too, or else get your own small green bathtub (with shower attachment). :)

However, seeing as how we have a spot open on the women's team, if one of you happens to qualify for that spot and passes the dna testing, you'll be welcome to share the spa then ;)

Angie

[Andoru]

Whatever it is - I want to see SPA-CAM big brother style!!

I think I've seen a tour of the "hot spots" on the seminar program somewhere... :D

[Stephen]

Spa-cam hehehehehehe you wouldnt see much (that sounds worse than i meant it to:) )

Hmmm, just gotta make sure I buy some new shinai before i spend all my money on 'the tour'

[Martino]

What have I done :eek: .

Our National Championships are now been advertised as a cheap weekend :bored: .

Good news Tanueirin is that I have heard the Backpackers at 7 Akuna St is very upmarket and presentable.

Bad New: We have identified your "old man flashers" in Stephen.

_______________

Reubino that's no excuse, come up for the seminar and support the Vics. You will still have a good time even if you don't compete.

_______________

Andoru don't you go to jail for that spy cam stuff. And all over see a couple of women in swimsuits :(

_______________

When are you WA people coming. The Monday is a public holiday in Canberra, and from memory they have festive in the CBD

In closing proof to me there is no such thing as "innocent young kendoka".
Innocent young kendoka = Evil cunning kendoka

[tanueirin]

Oh Martino,

Don't worry, we will all be fine upstanding citizens until at least Sunday night due to coach's "If you get trashed before the shiai I'm going to trash YOU" injunction. Most of WA team will be arriving Thursday morning and leaving Monday noon or later.

We will all be keeping a close eye on Stephen and his trenchcoat, I assure you. And Andoru, Susan will be poised to tan your kote with me cheering "Faito!" if any kind of "cam" is found in the spa. Anyway we already have a "Hot chick in Kendo Gear" thread that should have satisfied any such proclivities ... :) Reubino, you should come down, you don't want to be missing out on all the fun (?) ;)

Angie

[Stephen]

Damn....I been caught out again (damn spy cam)..oh well, i suppose ill have to leave the trench coat at home:)

Martiono, there's a small chance I may be in canberra well before the easter weekend...if so I hope its alright if I come and train with you guys (and girls) down at ANU - No flashing, I promise:)

[Martino]

Of course you are welcome, and anyone else who arrives early.
We usually have visitors turning up early to scout us out. Not that it has done them any good ;)

[Andoru]

/me readies leave application...

[Chook]

I'll be there next year for sure!

[tanueirin]

Hm, this thread has gone strangely quiet. You'd think with the Nationals looming closer it would be rampant with taunting and catcalls. I guess we're all either training too hard or too mature, having successfully mastered the 7 tenets of bushido ;)

PS. So, you gonna bring it, Andrew? :)

[Andoru]

Oh dear what am I suppose to bring again? Been training too hard me thinks.. :D

First things first, I have to submite $135 to the Renmei tomorrow by express post.

Have you guys and gals organised accomodation? Is Stephen coming?

[tanueirin]

Andrew, if you don't bring whatever it is, you'll find out pretty soon, like in the first round when a little girl like me whips you good :D Nah, j/k, I've got a loooong way to go...

I REALLY hope the renmei has submitted our competition fees.

Yep, we're staying at the Akuna St place with the spa. I think it's called Canberra City Accommodation. Stephen is already in Canberra and training hard with ANU. I think they're trying handicap our team by making him do kakarigeiko till he drops. Either that or they're exorcising the evil WA kendo demons so he can become one of them :)

[Andoru]

Ahhh he's over there already?!! It's a conspiracy! ;) Haven't seen him around here for a bit now.

Maybe I should bring a trench coat just in case....:D

The NSW representatives were announced just last Sat...so we're scrambling to get the monies sent to ACT ASAP. Unfortunately the president and the secretary of the NSW Kendo Assoc are away in HK for the regional taikai.

[Stephen]

You right Angie, I woulda thought there'd be a bit more talking going on here - i rekkon we all all realised that know matter how much we talk it up, every-body gonna see how...ummm...average(?) we really are:-)

Speaking of who's gonna bring it - who's brining the beer....or as hosts are the canberra guys providing:-)

I don't know about the rest of you but i think we should make a new rule at nationals.....winner shouts drinks;-)

Conspiracy, i dont know what you talking about hehehehehehe:-)

Yep , i been in the ACT for three or four weeks training at ANU (great bunch of guys and gals....cheers Martino)....and yes, I did come very very close to death in kakari geiko due to Phil hehehe...actually probably not due to Phil, its more that as the new guy I feel as if I shouldn't slack off as much as usual...I'm sure that'll change soon;-)

Yeh, the NSW team look good....actually, from what i've seen, I can tell you the ACT team looks pretty impressive also

[Stephen]

I think they're trying handicap our team by making him do kakarigeiko till he drops. Either that or they're exorcising the evil WA kendo demons so he can become one of them :)
I shoulda mentioned...I'm taking bribes from both states hehehehehe (by that I mean they bribe me not to handicap their team by competing for them:-)

See ya soon Andrew (and I'll definatly let you know if I'm comming up to Syd in at all in the school holidays to visit a few dojo:-)

[tanueirin]

Yep , i been in the ACT for three or four weeks training at ANU (great bunch of guys and gals....cheers Martino)....and yes, I did come very very close to death in kakari geiko due to Phil hehehe...actually probably not due to Phil, its more that as the new guy I feel as if I shouldn't slack off as much as usual...I'm sure that'll change soon;-)

I can see the cracks forming already... :)



Yeh, the NSW team look good....actually, from what i've seen, I can tell you the ACT team looks pretty impressive also

Psst, I hear WA's got a good line-up this year that'll do some major damage (I believe in positive thinking ;) Psych! Psych! Psych!).

It IS a conspiracy Andrew, one of our sabotaging ploys was to send Stephen over to ACT to devalue the kendo real estate there, but then we found out he's still eligible to compete for our team this year... DOH :D

[KHuang]

Hey andrew where are you guy staying in act?

[Andoru]

Kai - I have no idea. I do plan to bring it up this Sat either before or after our "secret" waza training. *Psych! Psych! Psych!*

Stephen - will you be competing in kyu or dan category?

Angie - are you guys and gals coming for the seminar too?

[Martino]

Below is revised details of the expert kendo instructors from the All Japan Kendo Federation, who will be attending the 30th Australian Kendo Championships. In addition to the IKF senseis a research group will also be travelling from Japan to attend the Championships. Their details are also below.

The AKR asks members who are attending the Championships to please support the activities of the research group by completing and returning the questionnaire which will be distributed.

Attendance of the delegation of IKF Sensei is supported by the International Kendo Federation (IKF) and the AKR:

IKF DELEGATION
Mr. Hidetoshi MIYAGAWA, 61, Kendo Kyoshi 8 dan. Emeritus Kendo Instructor of Fukuoka Prefectural Police. Managing director of Fukuoka Prefecture Kendo Association. Formerly Kendo Instructor at Fukuoka Prefecture Police. Instructor at the 29th AKR Kendo Seminar and Championships in 2004.

Mr. Akira MATSUI, 61, Kendo Kyoshi 8 Dan. Formerly a Kendo Instructor at Okayama Prefectural Police. Competed in many competitions including Inter-Police Championships. Instructor at the IKF European Zone Kendo Referee Seminar in Belgium, February 2004.

Mr. Ken'ichi KURIHARA, 56, Kendo Kyoshi 8 Dan. Managing Director of a Japanese tea manufacturer, has practiced kendo without interruption since high school and is highly regarded as an expert kendo sensei.

RESEARCH GROUP
Mr. Kichio UEHARA, Kendo Kyoshi 7 Dan, an assistant professor at the Martial arts academy of Kokugakuin University in Tokyo, a member of the AJKF Foreign affairs committee for more than 10 years, a Kendo instructor at Kokugakuin University Kendo club and a referee at many kendo tournaments. Mr. UEHARA has commenced a research project on the consciousness of Kendo people in the international community. Mr. UEHARA has prepared questionnaires which will be distributed in Canberra. The research is supported by the AJKF International Committee and the AKR ask all members to support the project by completing and returning the questionnaires.

Mr. Michael Ikuya KOMOTO, Kendo 5 Dan. Mr. KOMOTO is assisting the project. Mr. Komoto is Kendo 5 Dan, he has been the English interpreter at recent AJKF Summer Seminars, manages the international department of an orthopaedic and sports medicine clinic in Japan, was a runner-up in the US National Championships in 1993, a member of the US Kendo Team at the 9th World Championships in Paris in 1994 and is a regular contributor to KendoWorld magazine.


On a different note...


Either that or they're exorcising the evil WA kendo demons so he can become one of them
Evil WA kendo demon exorcised.
Seeding of Very Evil ACT kendo demons has begun.

[tanueirin]

Hey Andrew,

We'll be arriving in Canberra on Thursday morning after taking the red-eye from Perth. Plans are to have a rest day, then there are people grading on Friday etc. Some are going back Sunday night, others Monday and Tuesday.

Brian mentioned that the Queensland ppl have been asking about places to stay. Half of our team will be at a place called Canberra City Accommodation,(http://www.canberrabackpackers.net.au/dorm.htm), which is nice and new, and of course has the spa :) and there is also the City Walk Hotel (http://www.citywalkhotel.com.au/bookings.asp). Both are backpacker style but have twin rooms at quite reasonable prices ($60 to $70 per room per night).

Martino, just make sure you get the very last stubborn ones out. I think 500 hayasuburi followed by 50 minutes of kakarigeiko should do it. And then motodachi for 38 beginners practising do cuts ;)

Oh, and everyone, best of luck in the comp... *Psych! Psych! Psych! Psych!* Hehehe

[Stephen]

Angie, you should know that correct kendo etquiette states that one should never never encorage hayasuburi or kakarigeiko (and last night for the second time, Phil almost killed me, this time playing ipon...ppl later warned me never to play jigeiko with Phil last) - the only crack showing here is the one at the back of my pants hehehehe:)

Andrew - I'll be playing in the kyu grades as I'm not eligable (or skilled enough) to test for shodan until the end of September (picton maybe?).

But yeh, I heard a rumor that WA is sending a strong team - I rekkon Ace and Courtney should do well - actually, I just heard the SA also has good kyu players, so all in all I guess everyone's sending strong teams - Should be a good weekend with lots of good kendo to watch:)

[Andoru]

You're not skilled enough? You, who beat Yoshiki with an injured foot, is not skilled enough?! Bwahahahahahahaha! :D

There is a grading in August during the Founder's Cup weekend. Incidentally, my club is the host this year. Aug 6th is the tentative date I believe.

[Stephen]

hahahahahahaha, whats that saying from White men Can't Jump...the sun even shines on a dogs ass some days (and we drew one all in the teams match, so it really could have gone either way) :)

Founders cup sounds good...I might not be eligable yet but I think Darren and Dave (from ANU) will be, so even if I can't, I'll come up to spectate and maybe play a bit of jigeiko (although fingers crossed i might be able to grade :) )

[Andoru]

There is team-shiai too!

[Stephen]

hehehe, didn't i mention that..ops:) yep there was team shiai for kyu and open - as there were only eight or nine dan grades competing it was an open rather than dan teams event.

Both teams events worked out on a knockout basis...UNSW did really well overall (second i think) and beat us (murdoch) four nil (i felt sorry for one of the girls fighting for us..it was her first shiai ever and in her pool came up against Yoshiki and in the open teams against Jackson - talk about a scary into to shiai:) )..

I cant remember who one the kyu teams but UWA won the open - having 3 of the top four dan competitors with their two kyu's both in the top six)...the highlight for me was watching Yoshiki play Brian Brestovak (sp? sorry brian) sensei....not only did he fight well but he almost scored on him (scored on brian that is)...very impresive:)

[ace]

heard my name mentioned so i throught i should post something.

so steve you finding the training a bit hard hey, well you better get good so we can meet in the finals since this will be the last chance we can untill i get my shodan which is a far way away form my nikyu.but i guess we will just hafta see.

[Stephen]

Sounds like fun to me:)...gambatte!!!!

[ace]

well its gone awfully quite in here is every one off doing there last min training come on steve i throught i could count on you for some mudslinging or something owell. and steve we are working out the team order on friday so i will email you and tell ya where you are.

p.s GO W.A

[Stephen]

Last minute training hahahahaha - I'd like to, but why start now.

I know what position to play me in (insert 'doggy' joke here)....left-right-out hehehehe....no worries, just email me.

Mudslinging!! Moi!! Never....besides, if you take out the people here from WA, the only others are Martino (my newly inherited sempai who can kick my ass multiple times per week) and Andrew (who in two weeks will be able to kick my ass). So as much as I'd like to say my lack of mudslinging is due to either my maturity (ahem) or my indepth understanding of budo, its more a need for self preservation:)

[Martino]

:cheerful:

Results to follow soon...........

:cheerful: :cheerful:
30th Australian National Kendo Championships, Seminar and Gradings have been run and won.........

:cheerful: Thank you for everyone who came and took part...........

:cheerful: :cheerful:
I earned my 3rd Dan

:cheerful: :cheerful:
Now I have a week of work to catch up on. Be back soon.

:cheerful:

[Andoru]

Thanks Martino and the ACT gang for the excellent organisation!

Congrats to the WA team (Stephen, ace and tanuerin etc) for the excellent performance!

Rather poor show on our part (kyu team), but we'll improve.

[Stephen]

Congrat's on your 3rd Dan martino - and to all the hard work you guys and girls put in to organising the weekend. (on the chance dave reads this, congrats o the win mate)

Cheers, Andrew, it was great meeting you and the other NSW guys/girls....I wouldnt apologise for the kyu team, you guys did great, the match couldn't have gotten much closer.

I'm officaly a member of ANU kendo club now, so I'll be looking forward to coming up to sydney and playing against you all soon:) (and more so, watching some of the NSW dan grades fight - they're bloody awesome!! - seeing them vs VIC was definatley the highlight of the weekend)

Kai, well done on getting the fighting spirit award - you deserved it.

[Aden]

Sandan - well done Martino. Hmm seems only a minute ago you were a large ungraded lump of a beginner :).

Aden

[Infinity]

good job ACT. great nationals.
congrats to all who passed grading and won shiai.
especially to my sempai, the QLD team.
legends all.

[Nanbanjin]

Thank you ACT for the weekend. It was good to meet all of the WA people from this forum (Stephen, Ace and Tanueirin - sorry if I missed anyone) for the first time. The West Australian team was pretty strong. Maybe it will be your turn to win the team comp when you host the event next year. Looking forward to seeing you there.

[Andoru]

Next year we'll beat them at their own turf! :D

[Andoru]

"on" not "at".

[Chook]

Where can I find results??

[KHuang]

what a great comp , big thanks to all the ACT people you guys are the real winners here . well done to Nanbanjin and Stephen for coming 3rd in the dans and kyus , wish I could of played you guys . The NSW kumdo comp will be in may and as always ACT is welcome to join , hope to see you guys there.

[Nanbanjin]

what a great comp , big thanks to all the ACT people you guys are the real winners here . well done to Nanbanjin and Stephen for coming 3rd in the dans and kyus , wish I could of played you guys . The NSW kumdo comp will be in may and as always ACT is welcome to join , hope to see you guys there.
Thanks KHuang. Take care of your foot. Hope we get to play in Perth next year.

[Martino]

Hi guys.

I will get the complete list of results up ASAP, which will most probably be some time next week, as I have other commitments this weekend, and work to catch up on this week.

This list is from memory, sorry for any mistakes or omittions.

Kyu Indiviual
1st ACT Adam

Kyu Teams
1st VIC

Women Indiviual
1st Kate

Women Team
1st VIC
2nd NSW

Kata Team
1st QLD
2nd ACT (Martino)

Veterains Indiviual (over 40yr old)
(Sorry I was getting ready for Kata Comp)

(Open) Dan Indiviual
1st Kirby (DeathbyKendo)

(Open) Dan Team
1st QLD (Nanbanjin)
2nd NSW

[Infinity]

Hi guys.

I will get the complete list of results up ASAP, which will most probably be some time next week, as I have other commitments this weekend, and work to catch up on this week.

This list is from memory, sorry for any mistakes or omittions.

Kyu Indiviual
1st ACT Adam

Kyu Teams
1st VIC

Women Indiviual
1st Kate

Women Team
1st VIC
2nd NSW

Kata Team
1st QLD
2nd ACT (Martino)

Veterains Indiviual (over 40yr old)
(Sorry I was getting ready for Kata Comp)

(Open) Dan Indiviual
1st Kirby (DeathbyKendo)

(Open) Dan Team
1st QLD (Nanbanjin)
2nd NSW

Ken Okamoto (QLD) won the Senior Competition

[vyung]

From memory, below are the Championships Results:

Kyu Indiviual
1st Adam McNeil, ACT
2nd Alvin Chen, VIC
3rd Kai Huang, NSW
3rd Stephen Ellis, WA

Kyu Teams
1st VIC
2nd WA

Women Indiviual
1st Kate Sylvester, VIC
2nd Claire Chen, VIC
3rd Vivian Yung, NSW (vyung)
3rd Susan Bonar, WA

Women Team
1st VIC
2nd NSW

Kata Team
1st QLD
2nd ACT (Martino)

Veterans Individual (over 40yr old)
1st Ken Okamoto

(Open) Dan Indiviual
1st Kirby Smith, NSW (DeathbyKendo)
2nd Stuart Burke, NSW
3rd Dennis HS Kim, NSW
3rd Peter Strauss, QLD

(Open) Dan Team
1st QLD (Nanbanjin)
2nd NSW

Fighting Spirit Awards
Claire Chen, VIC
Chiharu Fukumoto, WA
Kai Huang, NSW
Vivian Yung, NSW

Kendo Contribution Award
Douglas Stouffers, NSW

[vyung]

I would like to thank all the ACT members for their hard work over the past months to make this event so successful and fun for everyone. I personally enjoyed every moment of the Championships very much.

Good work on the State and Championships banners around the stadium. How many buckets of blue paint did you guys use I wonder.

The flower arrangements were really nice. I took a photo in front of the Championships flags and there was a flower arrangement between the flags. The photo turned out to look very nice. Good work Lyma!

The Saturday dinner was fun too. I enjoyed it very much. Although the lucky draw was rigged, it was all good fun and worth a lot of good laugh. Also, I like the creme brulee. tehehehe.

ACT guys and gals, thank you so much for making the Championships so enjoyable. I look forward to see you guys and gals again in the next tournament in NSW, probably the Korean Kumdo Competition in May.

[Chook]

Ooooo!!! Any details on that next tournament Viv? :P
I want to try and make it onto the NSW squad for the nationals in Perth next year, and that means doing as much kendo as possible :)

[Andoru]

That means turning up for squad training! :D

[Chook]

I've already put all necessary forms in at work to get Saturdays off. ;)

[Andoru]

"Official" Team NSW Mascot, Darren:

http://img74.exs.cx/img74/788/darren1oi.jpg

[Stephen]

Wow Vivian. great memory with the results - and congats on winning all them trophy's :)

Cheers Kai, congats on your 3rd as well; hope the foot heals soon for you - hopefully we'll be able to play in sydney some time (kumdo comp sounds good).

Hey Andrew, Angie's in Sydney this week so if she comes to train at SKC make sure you all give her a good whacking and lots of suburi.:wink:

It was nice meeting you Nanbanjin, see you in perth next year.

[Infinity]

"Official" Team NSW Mascot, Darren:

http://img74.exs.cx/img74/788/darren1oi.jpg

does your mascot have a name yet?

[Andoru]

Just called Angie - she'll be going to UNSW for training tomorrow. She has plans tonight so she won't be able to train with us. But no worries, UNSW does heaps of hayasuburis on Thursdays, so she'll be having fun. I heard that they did 400 in one go last Thursday. *gulp*

[Andoru]

does your mascot have a name yet?

Darren desu. Although not seen in the photo, Darren is wearing a blink-blink medal with the AKR logo on one side and the words "GO TEAM NSW" on the other side.

[vyung]

The next competition in NSW will be the 8th Korean Kumdo Championships to be held in Macquarie University Sports Association on 14th May 2005.

Details are up on the NSWKA website at http://www.nswkendo.org.

[tanueirin]

Hi everyone! Finally arrived back from NSW/ACT last night and I see the forum's been busy. Am completely buggered, having been caned at the Nationals, UNSW, and ANU, in that order.

There was some pretty spectacular kendo in Canberra last weekend. Well done to Queensland for winning the open team - those were riveting matches to watch, especially with the visiting sensei from Japan refereeing. They were very particular and didn't seem to think there were any points worth paying until the final match (scored by Nanbanjin).

Oh, and well done to the WA kyu team - I'm so glad we managed to win something despite my best efforts :p

Vivian and Andrew (and thanks very much for your prank call, Andrew, but you'll have to go a long way before you can beat the master :), I'll be coming back to NSW later this year for a school reunion so I may play you guys then. Vivian and her killer men totally deserved that fighting spirit award.

ACT and SA boys are insane party animals - don't let those sweet innocent faces fool you. I'm still disappointed that Stuart didn't get Nick arrested by the police for trying to steal a cop helmet ;)

Congrats to Martino for getting 3dan - the best moment was when he went to get his certificate and people in the crowd echoed his signature kiai ("Yee-OW") :)

Had a great training with UNSW, they are completely mad - I think we did about 600 hayasuburi (half of them men and the second half kote), this was after about 15 minutes of other -buri, unfortunately I couldn't slack off because I had to show them that WA kendoka aren't girls (well, I am, but you know what I mean :)

Now WA has to start getting ready for the Nationals next year, ACT's left us a hard act to follow.

[Nanbanjin]

I hate to admit it but I didn't score a point with the Japanese instructors as shimpan. To them what I do on the shiai-joh is a poor approximation of that they know as kendo. I had more chance of scoring at the Moose's Head on Sunday night which let's face it was next to nill, though I vaguely remember nearly knocking a couple of blonde girls out (literally) once or twice.
By the time I had to fight Master Kim Qld had already won anyway. I spent a good deal of the match thinking "it's all about love".

[tanueirin]

Aieyayai, don't listen to Nanbanjin and his self-effacement - he was on FIRE at the Nationals - Ace, Stephen, and I were pretty gob-smacked.

Teehee, Sunday night at Moosehead's was fun, it's amazing the Jekyll and Hyde effect alchohol has on some people...

I spent most of my matches on Sunday thinking "Please God I'll be ever so good - just don't let fall on my a$$ again. " Twice in one day is enough!

Infinity, were you competing? If so, under which name? Apologies if I didn't get to meet you :)

[Martino]

Hi Everyone,

For a chuckle please visit,

http://abc.net.au/canberra/

and see how much space Darren and I (Close to Camera) had for Keiko in a radio studio (Wednesday before Nationals)! Joe and Sharyn are out of picture talking to David Kilby.

[Stephen]

So who one the match:wink:

[Martino]

So who one the match:wink:

Darren he tsukued me twice, much to his joy.

To everyone who attended the Nationals, we are currently writing up the a review of the week. And woud apprecate reports and reviews of the event. It can range from a paragraph to a full blown thesis (if you want).

Please send them to my Mail box on this forum. Thanks for your support.

[Martino]

We have got some of the photos up from the Nationals,

ANU Photo Gallery (http://www.anukendo.org/photoGallery.htm)

Me in one of my tider matches (http://www.anukendo.org/gallery2/Fgallery1-17.jpg)

[tanueirin]

Martino, what's a "tider" match? And is that Ben Kelly you're doing a hiki-men on? Nice work!

[Andoru]

heh yeah that's a top photo indeed! I noticed that in the dan category, quite a lot of hiki-waza weren't given yuko-datotsu, eventhough some were really clean. Hmmm...

[Infinity]

fantastic photos guys.

[Martino]

Martino, what's a "tider" match?

I, Can't Spell, Can't Write


And is that Ben Kelly you're doing a hiki-men on? Nice work!
Yep, that was most probably my best (presented) cut of the weekend. I enjoy competing against Ben as his style encourages you to play strong clean kendo, where as in matches I am usually a thug.

(There is another photo of me with my opponet flat on his face in the ground, and you can see my flages up in the background....)

[tanueirin]

Martino, so what did you mean to write? No, really, I have no idea. It's bugging me. Please relieve my suffering :)


heh yeah that's a top photo indeed! I noticed that in the dan category, quite a lot of hiki-waza weren't given yuko-datotsu, eventhough some were really clean. Hmmm...

How big was the gulf between the refereeing by the 8th dan sensei and everyone else's? It was like they had some kind of eerie telepathy going. Perfect triangle formation, moving in unison, all three flags up at the same time (for the two points they scored in the final for the entire 5 matches), no hesitation whatsoever.

Maybe they were using the Force :D