57th All Japan Kendo Championship Thread

[Wark 1978]

With the AJKC coming up in just a few days time, let's start some debate about the main event in the kendo calendar.

On the KW top page I have put up a list of all the competitors and the first round matches.

Providing that they both come through their first round match, Teramoto (Osaka), 2007 champion, could meet Wako (Hokkaido), 2008 runner up, in the second round. Another tantalising clash is possible in the third round between Yoneya (Saitama) and Takanabe (Kanagawa) who could possibly meet the 2006 Champion, Uchimura (Tokyo) in the QF.

On the other side of the draw, Harada (Tokyo), the 2005 Champion, could potentially face either of the Matsumotos (Osaka and Kanagawa) who face each other in the first round, or Furusawa (Kumamoto), on the way to a potential semi with Shodai.

There are of course many more possible permutations...

Who do you think is in with a shout this year?

Update: Check back on this page for live updates.

[Koban]

mmh not sure, I hope Yoneya can get up there, i like his kendo.. i hope Uchimura does good.

is it Uchimura Ryoichi or is Uchimura Ryoji a different guy?!

gonna be getting my ticket probably tomorrow..

[Geordie Bruiser]

After watching their performances at the World Championships I think you have to be looking at either Terramoto or Shodai.

I mean there are a lot of great Kendoka in this Taikai but these 2 guys are special!

Personally I think Shodai will retain the Title!

[Tsunemori]

Shoudai only won because Uchimura wasn't in last year's comp! Uchimura has beaten him before, and I'm sure he'll do it again. He has my vote.

[Trent]

I notice that Hatakenaka did not make it this year. Any idea how he faired in the prefecture competition?

[Wark 1978]

I notice that Hatakenaka did not make it this year. Any idea how he faired in the prefecture competition?

He graduated from Kokushikan University in March/April this year, and joined the Tokyo police force. That means that he would be trying to qualify in Tokyo and not Wakayama (I think) as he did last year. Tokyo, together with Osaka and Kanagawa must be the hardest prefectures to qualify from.

I found this clip on YouTube from the Tokyo qualifying tournament against Gonpei from the Imperial Guard, not presumably his brother, who qualified. In this clip he is against Umeyama and he also won.

Here is the tournament ladder for the Tokyo Senshuken Taikai, the top four qualify for the AJKC. Hatakenaka is on shiai-jo 6, and he lost in the final of that qualifying group, of which there were 8. The eight winners of the 8 groups then went on to fight it out for the top 4 places.

[Trent]

Wow. Thanks a lot for that. I did not realise that he had become a Tokyo police officer. Cool.

[ZtefaNNN[K]]

I´m voting takanabe, once again.

[Wark 1978]

I´m voting takanabe, once again.

Me too. I have lived in Kanagawa since I moved to Japan so I've always supported him, and them.

[Big One]

I want to see if Harada can walk the walk again once more time.

[Legionario]

I say: "Watch out for the comeback of Teramoto..."

[Tsunemori]

Will anyone be doing a live update on the day?

[Oroshi]

Edit: deleted post - requires more thought.

[Fudo-Shin]

I say: "Watch out for the comeback of Teramoto..."

Comeback?? Was he ever out of form?

As I say every year "Go Aichi!!", this year the 2 regular guys (Shimizu & Toyama) are replaced by some younger guys - it will be interesting to see how they go. Outside barracking for Aichi and on the note of comebacks, I am hoping to see Furusawa make his comeback, he never got what he deserved (could somebody pls correct me if it is the 'other' Furusawa that is actually playing?). And for everyone who wants to see Takanabe and Yoneya do well... I would be happy to see that happen too!! But Alas, there will probably be a shake-up of things as we know it anyway (same as every year).

If somebody knows anything about the 2 new Aichi guys, pls let me/us know? (Attn George?)

[xvikingx]

Clearly Takanabe and Teramoto the big names to look out for, but I've got my eye on Kyoto's Nakano, Hyougo's Matsumura and Fujii, Osaka's Matsumoto, and I'd like to see Harada do some damage. I don't think Shodai has what it takes to defend it. I also don't see Uchimura doing it again (I've said this before but I am not really a fan of his kendo).
Since it hasn't been posted yet here's the official site: http://www.kendo.or.jp/champ/index.html They have a nice little profile for each player.
It's a shame I can't see any of the first or second round matches. Those are usually the most exciting.