In the Budo centre we were the only people on the floor. 6 pairs then performed Kendo Kata 1-7 in front of Sensei Takada (9 dan) and Sensei Fujii.
There were two American pairs who were not as well drilled as us.
Steve and I performed, but we didn't think that well. Once we had completed the Kata, we all moved back into the Budokoden.
During changes of demonstrations we popped out to have a look at the other buildings in the compound. There was a Kenbo (archery) centre, and one guy was amazing.
We returned to the Budokoden, and sat through a load more demos. Then Sensei Hamada called out Steve and me to perform the Kata as we had won the competition. So we went out and carried out the best Kata we have ever done. It was in front of 700 delegates, all the teachers (6-10th Dan) and the Emperor's brother-in-law. No pressure. The buzz of performing in that hall with that audience is one of the most intense experiences we have ever had.
We finished with prize giving, - loads and loads of trophies (talk about excess baggage!), then back to the hotel to wash and off to a closing dinner.
More speeches and presents (wonderful but yet more excess baggage!!) and we then had the gradings and honors. Sensei David was made 7th Dan Iaido which was fantastic.
Finally we travelled back on the coach and met up in the hotel lobby at about 00:30 and Sensei David handed out the awards. In the Kendo Steve, Martha, James, and I received Shodan (1st Dan); Andy and Nick received Ne-dan (2nd Dan), and Alex and Nigel received San-Dan (3rd Dan). A top finish for the team!
Steve and I crashed at about 01:30, but the boys crawled back in at about 06:30.....!
No comments:
Post a Comment