We are back from a scorchingly hot and smoke hazed weekend in Brisbane, and I wanted to share with everyone the wonderful successes of the QKR Kendo State Championships and grading opportunity.
First up some competition results. BBRD members did themselves proud in the Kendo Championships, with Sean Thompson winning the Mixed Kyu-grade competition, and Kateena Martin being awarded the Adult Fighting Spirit award for the Championship. Both results are a just outcome of all the hard work that they have put into their preparations for this weekend, and notable given the strength of the competitive field. Ryo Atsumi was the winner of the Men’s Dan competition, and Dale Padoin the winner of the Women’s Dan division, both with dominating performances.
Second, BBRD and Ken Jin Kan members all performed admirably in their gradings. Kateena and Sean were awarded Shodan in kendo, there were double grades in Kendo for Ivan (to 3Kyu), Tracy (to 5Kyu), and Jones (also to 5Kyu). Brendon and Quentin both impressed with their 6Kyu performance. In addition, Tracy also passed 1Kyu in Iaido and is certainly on track to challenge for Shodan at the Nationals in May.
It was also great to see Rob Doncaster from Kohokai successfully grade to 3Dan in Iaido and 1Kyu in Jodo. Again, well earned recognition fo the work put towards these shinsa.
Third, an announcement was made regarding the coaching team for Queensland’s next challenge at the Australian Kendo Championships in April. Congratulations Ryo Atsumi sempai for being appointed head coach and Dale Padoin sensei for being appointed regional sub-coach!
A big thanks to all who put in the tireless work behind the scenes to make the weekend possible, especially Tom Johnson sensei and N Tamura sensei for their organisation and teaching, and to Russell Lawrence, T Tsukadaira, H Tsukadaira, K Kuromochi, T Itakura, John Isaacs, and Dale Padoin sensei(s), and Ryo Atsumi sempai, for their instruction over the weekend.
I could not be more proud of everyone’s efforts, big and small over this weekend. You have all shown grit and courage, diligence and perseverance, service and care. You have embodied the values of our Club and acted as great ambassadors of the disciplines we love.
So while we now have a small pause for breath, we can start planning towards the next seven months leading to the July QKR seminar. In between, we have State Squad sub training, and both the Australian Kendo Championships and the Australian Iaido and Jodo Championships to prepare for. Well done everyone!