Reflections on the Mori Hai tournament, 2003

[Prince_Romeo]

I witnessed my first tournament dedicated to the memory of Mori-sensei. I was very impressed to say the least. Among many of the great battles that took place, which stands out foremost in your mind?

[Prince_Romeo]

I had heard alot about this tournament, now it was time to see it for myself. It was good seeing all the kids trying their little hearts out in the junior kyu courts. I was undergoing the trauma of a formidable head cold and could barely keep my eyes open enough to see some great Kendo matches in the 1-2 Dan division as well as the san-Dan and up group.

The top three had to be;

Hide Itokazu of Covina dojo vs. Danny Yang of Torrance dojo.

This was a classic battle of Nito ryu against Chudan no kamae.


Jonathan Chinen of Covina dojo vs. some guy just defending.

The son of Head Sensei of Covina dojo, Katsuo Chinen, he utilizes a formidable jodan no kamae with a lightning fast strike to the men or kote. Very effective.


Mike Yoshimura of Norwalk dojo vs. the leader of the Hosokawa

Here I had a chance to see the "Captain of Norwalk dojo" and Champion of last November's SCKO Championships, brandish his skills against a seasoned veteran of the Samurai class. Matches just don't get any better than this...

However, I was a little disappointed with the loss of Katsuo Chinen by Hantei. I felt he had won that match and I was not alone in that vein of thought...

Did I miss anything? I'm probably gonna draw alot of arrows for my last paragraph but it's just a thought. No intent on offending anyone.

Overall, I'm happy. I have seen the vaunted Mori-Hai tournament in honor of the legend himself. Maybe in 2006 I will be stepping "into the ring"

[misterkurukuru]

What happened to Itokazu and Jonathan Chinen? did they win or get defeated?? and if they were defeated, who defeated them????

[Prince_Romeo]

Hey Kuru,

Itokazu made a formidable showing with his strong nito-ryu style. He finished off atleast two or three of his opponents before the much anticipated match up with Danny Yang of Torrance Dojo. Although, it was Yang who prevailed this time around. What a great match. I should have captured it on tape.

"Chinen J." made an impressive entrance as well. Weilding his shinai in his trademark jodan kamae. unfortunately, he was defeated after his first or second win. I think he lossed against his buddy Steve Okada from Chuo Dojo or maybe not. I'll have to double check.