On this page we will announce the results of Spokane Kendo Club's tournament participation. Tournaments are a small part of Kendo training. In fact, not everyone who practices Kendo participates in tournaments. For those who do, it provides an exiting way to put themselves in an intensified environment that tests their physical and mental skills and their spirit to the fullest. We strive to win when participating in the sport aspect of Kendo, but not to the point that it overrides the higher ideals and values of Kendo, such as positive spirit, manners and puting others first.

Steveston, Canada Taikai (February 9th)
Richmond, BC

Congratulations to one of our members, Ai Takado sensei, for winning the Women’s 2 Dan and Up Division.

Nine of us went up for the tournament. The trip to Canada was certainly memorable this time. We left Friday morning. When we arrived at Moses Lake we checked the mountain pass report and Snoqualmie Pass was CLOSED. It was expected to be closed all of Friday and Saturday, which it was. There was no other way across Washington State, so we jumped over to the Tri Cities and went through Portland! The total trip to Steveston was 14 hours instead of 10, but as usual we had fun the whole way.

Next year we just might fly!

Seventeen members of Spokane Kendo Club made the trip to the annual Highline Mudansha (below black belt) Tournament. Eleven members entered. Congradulations to Billy Kuster and Chris Thompson who tied for 4th place. It was the first tounament for a few of them and they all did exceptionally well. They kept a great spirit and the quality of their basic technique did not faulter under pressure.

Spokane scored more total points than any other dojo at the tournament, so we won the Team Championship. Congradulations to everyone for your team spirit and strong efforts.

We stopped at Tsunami Restaurant in Moses Lake on the way home. The head chef, Kiyoji Miyamoto, was Sinclair Sensei's roomate in Japan during the 1960s (geez they're old), so its always like old home week. The food is always soooo good.