Glasgow at 12th World Kendo Champs

Sue Lytollis

08 July 2003

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Japan/Korea - Korea/Japan

Well where to begin. I am writing this from my friends place near the Glasgow Botanical gardens after two heady days of watching some of the most exciting (and sometimes boring) Kendo literally in the World! To put you out of your misery, yes, by the skin of their shinai, the Japanese team has won the prestigious men's Team event for the zillionth time, and once again - like Santa Clara - the matches were drawn, in this case Japan 1, Korea 1 and hikiwake 3. The fight off was between the last two fighters in the team event (who drew) Kim vs Eiga. This 'best man' fight off is rarely seen in teams events but is a necessary way of determining a winner. This match was marked by some solid Kendo by Kim and cautious maneuvering by Eiga. In fact, compared to the last time I saw Korea fight Japan at world level (which admittedly was 15 years ago) the level of Kendo from Korea was more laudable and 'chanto' - correct, than I had ever seen it (eg no helicopter waza and minimal leaping into the air for crashing men). In fact I felt Kim played a straight game and after 10 minutes and 2 previous attempts at Tsuki our Eiga came through with a dramatic Tsuki to take out the game.

I am sure there are dozens of people replaying their video footage to in fact determine whether the said Tsuki did in fact land on the correct spot. There were certainly some highly vocal disgruntled korean spectators gesticulating in the international language of discontent, that they in fact thought that the tsuki was off centre. However, not to ever ever want to ever be a shimpan who scores the winning point to a Korean in the finals of the World Teams event, it had to be said that the three non Japanese refs found in Eiga's favour. Japan was happy and our equilibrium is sorted for another three years. But I am remiss - what about the most important bit - the kiwis!

I shall backtrack a day and take you to Saturday. Our boys did not take too long before they were up on the floorboards on what was to be a cooler day. Apparently the Friday of the women's champs was a record hot day for Glasgow (read an average day for Auckland and a cool day for Wellington). Our Alex was the only fella to go through the round and this is how they fared. Alex beat Labru from France and Rygh from Norway with a Men apiece. Gerard beat that Brazilian - Konishi - that had been causing him so much psychological panic with a decisive Kote and Men but must have spent his energy on that to be taken by Frey from Finland with two Mens. Martin wiped up a German (Bonert) and took an Italian to Encho but was sadly beaten by Licausi after a spirited fight. Ralph lost to both his competitors by two points, they were Mostert (Netherlands) and Chang (Taipei). Ron Walker had an interesting fight with his Austrian opponent Mraz who fought from jodan. Ron was put to the ground twice by the physicality of this opponent, the second time being pushed right out of the shiaijo in the process. He was eventually defeated by a kote. Ron did better with his Swedish opponent Jarlebring who scored a Kote against Ron but Ron defeated him with two Mens, the last being scored in Encho.

So from the Antipodes our Alex and two Auzzies - (Maczay and Smith) went into the second round. All were knocked out there but not without much effort. Alex came up against Ara from Canada. This started off as a cautious match which deteriorated slightly with a bit of rugby tackling thrown in for good measure from our Alex (naughty boy, the judges did not appreciate this and awarded him a hansoku when Ara seemed to float out of the shiaijo). it was a tough fight which went into Encho and Ara took a Men on Alex to sadly end the NZ spread through the rounds. As is often the case, four Japanese were in the semis and therefore two Japanese (Yawasa and Sato) came up in the finals. Forgive me for being disloyal but I often find these Japan to Japan finals a bit tedious, not horrendously vigorous or marked by thrilling daringdo. it went to encho and after another five minutes Sato won with a hiki men and play ended for the day.

However it did not quite end there. The goodwill gi-geiko on Saturday was very generous for time (since play today had not been delayed by the Queens visit) and at least 200 kendoka were spread across the four shiaijo fiercely catching up for lost matches or seeking out the multitudinous numbers of lovely plump Sensei for the plucking. Sensei from all over the world.

As an aside, Prince Phillip well known for shoving his foot in his mouth was able to make another doozy on Friday. Reported in the local rag he was heard to ask some women Kendoka if they wore their gear all day. On replying in the affirmative the wily Prince was heard to say - well that would be good for keeping the weight off then! Note to Pres of NZKF - marketing thrust to Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig...

Back to the shiaijo. Sunday, a warmer day with some bursts of sunshine. Not that more than 200 male competitors would ever find out. The place was swarming with nervousness and adrenaline. NZ did not fight til later in the morning and first up was Italy. Our match line up was Ralph vs Mandia (lost K M); Blake vs Filippi (Blake won KM!); Martin vs Licausi (he lost by kote); Gerard vs Scarcella (lost by M M) and good ole Alex took out Facchi with a hiki Men scored in the last two seconds of the match, making this team fight a brotherly success story. Now I look back, we didn't do too badly considering Italy made history today by being the first European country in the semi finals ever (I think) so we lost to a formidable side.

Next up was the rather tall and large Netherlands team. Ralph too first blood with a nice fast Kote but his opponent Jansen took back two more Kote to win this fight. Blake lost to Minnaert by a K M and Martin to van Bijnen by a Kote only. Gerard was finally seen to fight someone taller than himself (really) that is, Bachtsevanidis (do not ask me to pronounce that one) and sadly lost by a M K. Alex our anchor man showed true for us by making sure we lost with dignity and he won against Mostert (who had a dramatic head of dreads) with a M and K.

So that was us. As I said earlier, Italy went on to make history and Europe smiled and Netherlands got knocked out. Australia did not get into the second round but Great Britain did for the first time so they were quite happy. There was some interesting fighting styles in this competition. Both Canada and USA had players who fought nito ryu (short shinai and long shinai) and several players played from Jodan. Italy beat Brazil to get into the semis and this was a new development, knocking the previously - almost always in top four Brazil - off their perch. Japan however took out Italy in the semis winning all fights, Italy hungry to just get one score off the gods of Kendo, to no avail. Korea had a sluggish win against the USA and won by three wins and two hikiwakes. As I said earlier, the finals were Japan vs Korea and the rest is ongoing history.

The final ceremony was quite emotional. A lone piper brought on our teams and the various awards given out. Fighting spirit prizes were awarded to players from Spain, Hungary, Canada, UK, Belgium, Singapore and two other countries I missed. Apparently this worlds was the largest ever held (as they seem to be each 3 yrs) and all are looking forward to Taiwan in 2006. At least the fares will be cheaper for us and we will have Sam and Marleen to help us out.

So while I type I am imagining that most players are imbibing a collection of Glaswegian beer and whiskey at the Moathouse Hotel at the Sayonara Party. Loreena may not be so splendoured as she and Liz will be attempting grades on Monday so more news on that tomorrow.

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Sue Lytollis is an instructor at Hutt Kendo Club. Kendo 5th Dan, NZ World Kendo rep 1985, 1988, silver medallist UK Women's Champs 1999 and also silver medallist Poneke Challenge, Wgtn 2000.