Monthly Newsletter

Volume 9 Issue 4 Editor:  Dave Christman

 May-June  2007

All Photos by D.Christman, unless otherwise noted

Michigan Family Tournament, May 20th (as reported by Matsuura sensei) The Battle Creek Kendo Kai (BCKK) and Grand Rapids Kendo Kai (GRKK) traveled to Ypsilanti, Mi on May 20th 2007 to participate in the 4th Annual Michigan Family Kendo Championships. Once again, excellent results were achieved by both clubs.

Travis Hill of BCKK started off the day by winning the Junior B (13 to 17 year-old) division.  This was Hill's 13th medal since 2005 firmly establishing him as a force in the Kendo world. Fifteen year-old Emma Klar of GRKK notched her second career medal by placing third in the tough ladies' division. Although erratic in her style, Emma can generate a lot of power from her petite frame and has a bright career ahead of her. Scott Marsh of BCKK and Jordan Holmgren of GRKK both placed third in the loaded Mudansha (non Black Belt) division.  However, the biggest surprise of the day came when 17 year-old Chris Brooks of GRKK ran the table to win his third career medal and first ever championship.  Chris used his superior speed and strong defense to put in a dominant performance in a field filled with former champions. In the final event of the day, the Third Degree and above division, Even though I am the two time defending champion I was stunned in the Semi-Finals to take a disappointing third place.  I vow to recapture the title next year.

In all, 16 people from BCKK and GRKK participated (8 from each club). This tournament was attended by all 6 Michigan clubs with 65 total participants.

Welcome: We have two new members with experience, unfortunately we lost one for a while right away. Yuji Yoshino and his daughter Naruka showed up on June 10th to join us, as they have re-located to Battle Creek. We are sorry to report that Yuji suffered a ruptured achilles tendon the very first night he practiced. When he is able, he will be bringing Naruka to practice and after he has healed up, he will be back. He holds a 4th dan rank.

Summer is here:  We must likely will be removing the overhead fans soon, as they have been banged up quite a bit in the last 11 years, but don't fret, with the windows open, and the floor fan, we should be quite comfortable. Reminder to all that the dojo is now on a automatic checking account deduction system

UPCOMING EVENTS
AUSKF Summer Camp:  The date is June 29 - July 1st in Swanee, Georgia. All the info is right here.

MWKF Summer Camp:  The date will be August 3-5th again this year, and will be again at the University of Wisconsin. Information can be downloaded here

 

I've collected a lot of stories, quotes, koans, poems and haiku. Here is one I really like:
 
"In strategy your spiritual bearing must not be any different from normal. Both in fighting and in everday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased.."
Miyamoto Musashi, (1584-1645)  
 

E-mail the editor, let me know your comments at:  mailto: dtc12@comcast.net to reach me.

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