Our National Kendo Champs were finally held after a six year break (due to Covid) on May 25-26 2024. Held in Christchurch, this was a closely contested tournament with 60 Kendo Shiaisha in attendance. The event started with a goodwill Junior champs, then the official Women’s and Men’s Open Division, a Women’s Team event of three competitors and a Men’s Event of five competitors. There was a Veterans Embu event for 5th dan Kenshi 50 years and above as well. The event finished with a kata division.
The next National Kendo Champs will be held in Wellington in 2026. This is part of the plan to hold the championships in the year before the World Kendo Championships, instead of in the same year as had been done in the past.
Results
Women’s Open
1st: Haruko Tsuzuki (Rembuden)
2nd: Sui Ellin (Rembuden)
3rd: equal Emma Tamaki (Maru), Ria Ellin (Otago)
Men’s Open
1st: Max Lee (Rembuden)
2nd: Rob Challies (Rembuden)
3rd: equal Chris Chung (Aotearoa), Zac Chai (Rembuden)
Women’s Team
1st: Rembuden – Haruko Tsuzuki, Kumi Black, Sui Ellin
2nd: Otago – Ria Ellin, Tasha Derrett, Wendy Jenson
Men’s Team
1st: Rembuden – Zac Chai, Rob Challies, Max Lee, Masaki Nakazono
2nd: STKYK Canterbury – Daniel Bristow, Kai Edwards, Cesar Gonzalez, Blake Bennett
Kata
1st: Rembuden
2nd: Auckland Kendo Club
