News

Riga Kendo Open 2010 & Kendo seminar.
"Riga Kendo Open 2010" team tournament will take place on the 22 May, 2010 in Riga, Latvia. Kendo seminar will be held within the limits of the tournament on the 21-23 May, 2009 under Mikko Salonen-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi, Finland) and Markus Frey-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi, Finland).

Japan Culture days, Riga Taikai 2009.
Official results.

On the 19 of December, 2009 Latvian Kendo Federation seminar took place in Riga.
Following sportsmen of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the seminar limits for:

1 kyu: Krauklis Ritvars;

Kyudo seminar took place in Riga on 11-13 of December 2009. The seminar was supervised by Feliks Hoff-sensei (6 dan Kyudo, Kyoshi, Germany).

On 17th of October year 2009 our sportsmen participated in competitions that took place in Sweden, Stockholm - "Stockholm Kendo Open 2009". Competitions were divided in two groups, first - under black belt (kyu cup) and second group only for holders of the black belt (dan cup). 5 sportsmen from Riga "Sport Club Kendo" participated in the competitions: Alexander Popovich, Maksim Dyachuk and Reinhards Muravskis in "Kyu cup", Denis Arsenin and Margers Pochs in "Dan cup". All athletes have showed good kendo and succeeded in preliminary fights thus coming out from their subgroups. The best results showed sportsmen that were participating in "Kyu cup": Maxim Dyachuk took fifth place and

Alexander Popovich winning seven fights and taking first place was awarded with the "Stockholm Kendo Open, Kyu cup 2009"!
Congratulations to Alexander with an excellent result.

After the competitions examination was held. The sportsmen were graded for:

Kendo
1 dan: Alexander Popovich, Maksim Dyachuk;
3 dan: Denis Arsenin;

Official results of the competition: www.fska.se/sko/results.php

On the 10 of October, 2009 Latvian Kendo Federation seminar took place in Riga.
KYU Cup tournaments were held in the framework of this seminar.

Results:
1. Dyachuk Maksim;
2. Popovich Alexander;
3. Galiaskarov Maksim;

Fighting Spirit:
Galiaskarov Maksim;

Following sportsmen of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the tournament limits for:

1 kyu: Brumelis Arnis;
2 kyu: Krauklis Ritvars;
3 kyu: Osis Arvids, Kopilov Anton;
4 kyu: Galiaskarov Maksim, Trusov Maksim;
6 kyu: Livchans Ervins, Zemskov Alexei;

From the 15th till the 19th of July 2009, sportsmen of the Latvian Kyudo association took part in a yearly seminar, which was organized by the European Kyudo federation in Frankfurt, Germany.

Official web page of the seminar: http://www.kyudo.de/ekf/en/

Grading was held during the seminar. The following were certified:

Kyudo

2 dan: Vladimir Kindzulis;
1 dan: Dmitry Alelunas, Aleksey Obrazcovs;

Kyudo seminar took place in Riga on the 19 - 22 June, 2009. The seminar was supervised by Malcolm Bagnall-sensei (6 dan Kyudo, Renshi, UK).

Kendo seminar took place in Riga on the 12 - 14 June, 2009. The seminar was supervised by Mats Wahlqvist-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Renshi, Sweden).

On the 23 of May, 2009 Latvian Kendo Federation seminar took place in Riga.
KYU Cup tournaments were held in the framework of this seminar.

Results:
1. Popovich Alexander;
2. Krauklis Ritvars;
3. Muravskis Reinhards;

Fighting Spirit:
Galiaskarov Maksim;

Following sportsmen of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the tournament limits for:

1 kyu: Popovich Alexander;
3 kyu: Krauklis Ritvars;
4 kyu: Osis Arvid, Kopilov Anton;
5 kyu: Galiaskarov Maksim, Trusov Maksim;

Iaido and Jodo seminar took place in Riga on the 08 - 10 May, 2009. The seminar was supervised by Takao Momiyama-sensei (7 dan Iaido, Renshi, 6 dan Jodo, 5 dan Kendo, Sweden).

Kyudo seminar took place in Riga on the 24 - 27 April, 2009. The seminar was supervised by Malcolm Bagnall-sensei (6 dan Kyudo, Renshi, UK).

From 27 to 29 of March 2009, a Kendo seminar took place in Tallinn, Estonia, under the direction of Ryuichi Takeda-sensei (7 dan Kendo), Koji Saito-sensei (7 dan Kendo), Huruhide Chiba-sensei (7 dan Kendo). Also, several kendo students from Japan universities took part in the seminar.

Kendo seminar took place on the 3 - 11 March, 2009 in Riga, Latvia under Wolfgang Demski-sensei (Kendo Kyoshi, 7 dan, Germany). "Riga Kendo Open 2009" tournament took place on the 7th March, 2009.

Following teams have participated: Estonia and two teams from Latvia.

Official results:

Teams

1. Latvia I
2. Estonia
3. Latvia II

Individual

1. Tadayuki Aoyama;
2. Deniss Arsenin;
3. Margers Pocs;

Fighting Spirit

Mattias Agabus;

Photos »

Kendo seminar took place in Tartu and Elva, Estonia on 21 - 22 of February, 2009. The seminar was supervised by Kari Jaaskelainen-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Finland).

Kyudo seminar took place in Riga on the 30 January - 01 February, 2009. The seminar was supervised by Feliks Hoff-sensei (6 dan Kyudo, Kyoshi, Germany).

On the 24 of January, 2009 Latvian Kendo Federation seminar took place in Riga.
KYU Cup tournaments were held in the framework of this seminar.

Results:
1. Popovich Alexander;
2. Dyachuk Maksim;
3. Krauklis Ritvars;

Fighting Spirit:
Osis Arvids;

Following sportsmen of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the tournament limits for:

1 kyu: Dyachuk Maksim, Muravskis Reinhards, Chernolikh Alexander;
2 kyu: Popovich Alexander, Brumelis Arnis;
3 kyu: Zarinsh Martinsh, Sorokin Nikolay;
4 kyu: Krauklis Ritvars;
5 kyu: Osis Arvid;
6 kyu: Tarasyuk Konstantin, Galiaskarov Maksim, Trusov Maksim, Shilin Viktor;

From the 1st till 6th of December 2008 European Iaido and Jodo championship was held in Magglingen, Switzerland.

It was the first time for our sportsmen to compete in both disciplines. This start can be called successful, because the first victories were achieved. We gained experience by participating in such a tournament, we will prepare for the next championship.

Graduation, in which our sportsmen participated, was held during the championship.
The following members were graded for:

Iaido

2 Dan: Denis Yanulis

1 Dan: Dmitry Alelunsv
Jodo

2 Dan: Vladimir Kindzulis

Information about the championship and also photos can be seen on the championship's official web page

http://eicejc2008.kendo.ch

From the 3rd till the 17th of November 4 members of our club visited Japan. First we visited Kobe, sister-city of Riga (www.feel-kobe.jp).

We are thankful to "Kobe Kendo League" and Junichi Hirata-sensei in personal for the planning and organizing events during our stay.

We arrived at Kansai International Airport in Osaka. On the way to Kobe we visited three temples in Kyoto:

Ryoanji Temple (famous for it's karesansui (dry landscape) rock garden)

Ginkakuji Temple, Silver pavilion (www.shokoku-ji.or.jp);

Kiyomizu Dera Temple (www.kiyomizudera.or.jp);

The next day we met Vice Mayor of Kobe city Mr. Isao Uzaki. Also, we visited Kendo equipment shop "Maruyama budougu-ten".

We are immensely grateful to Ozaki Yoshihiro (Kendo Kyoshi, 7-dan) for showing us his personal collection of Japanese weapons and for the presents that he generously offered us.

For the first time we tasted FUGU fish and drank FUGU sake. Seen the dolphin show in "Suma aqualife Park", seen "Akashi Kaikyo" - the world's longest suspension bridge (www.technologystudent.com/culture1/akashi1.htm).

Visited the museum of Akashi Kaikyo bridge where Bridge-Master Dr. Kijuro Shimada explained us all the steps of building the bridge. He also showed us a model of the bridge and told us about interesting solutions which were made during the building.

Of course we also practiced Kendo and Iaido. We are grateful to many sensei who came to train us. It was a very honorable, informative experience.

Here is a short list of sensei:

Kendo - Komori Mutsuo, Kyoshi, 8-dan, Kawahara Masaki, Kyoshi, 8-dan, Uotani Isamu, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Miyamoto Tetsuo, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Fujii Masakazu, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Nishida Genta, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Yokoyama Shigetoshi, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Yoshida Masao, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Hirata Shigezou, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Gotou Yoshio, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Ichioka Masaki, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Ebisu Minoru, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Yoneda Nobukazu, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Kawahigashi Seiichi, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Nakagawa Kazuo, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Mitsutake Seigo, Kyoshi, 7-dan, Maeda Kunio,Renshi, 7-dan, Suenaga Kiyofuyu, Renshi, 7-dan;

Iaido - Karatsu Hidemichi, Kyoshi, 7-dan;

At the end of our stay in Kobe Farewell dinner was organized in "New Munchen Kobe" restaurant. We were presented with a shinai holders made especially for us.

After that we took the Shinkansen super express with a transfer at Tokyo to Sendai (www.city.sendai.jp).

In Sendai we met with the president of Tohoku Fukushi University Kendo Club Kon Yoshinobu (Kendo 6 dan, Tankendo, Renshi, 7 dan).

The next morning we had keiko with Tohoku High school students. After that we met with Dr. Yoshinisa Yukie, Chief of Center for International Academic Exchange, Tohoku Fukushi University, www.tfu.ac.jp.

Then we took a tour to see the 100 m Daikannon statue. Inside the statue there were 108 smaller statues of Buddha and Jyuni-Shinsho (12 statues of Buddha generals, each representing a zodiacal sign).

Then we visited Sendai Castle, also known as Aoba Castle, property of Lord Masamune Date.

After the tour Kon-sensei organized a training in Tankendo. Later on Kon-sensei and Haruhide Chiba (Kendo Kyoshi, 7-dan) conducted a regular Kendo training.

We are very grateful for these trainings.

We ended our stay with a Farewell Party at Furusato restaurant.

The next day we went to Yamagata by train. (www.yamagatakanko.com/english/).

We were joined by the Finnish kendoka Lauri Lehmusvirta. In Yamagata we were greeted by Takeda Ryuichi (Kendo Kyoshi, 7 dan).

Also we visited Kaminoyama Castle (kaminoyama-castle.info) and the oldest stone bridge in the world. After that our members performed a Kendo master-class in Special Education school (school for handicapped children) under the lead of Takeda-sensei, where children were able to practice Kendo strikes on us. It was interesting to watch how children tried to perform strikes correctly. After the master-class kids asked some questions about our country. It was really interesting and unusual, for it was the first time for me to see how Kendo is helping those children to feel the joy of movement.

Later we had keiko with Yamagata University students after which we had a meeting with the students who were interested in Latvia. It was a very interesting meeting thanks to Dana, an exchange student from Latvia, who showed some photos of our country.

We also met Mr. Akio Yuki, President of the Yamagata University, www.yamagata-u.ac.jp.

The next day we went to the famous Zao Mountain and relaxed in the ancient (over 100 years) onsen (hot spring).

It was all very interesting. Thank You, Takeda-sensei.

The next day we went to Tokyo by Shinkansen where we met Mr. Shuji Fukumoto, Executive Vice President, International Kendo federation and Mr. Ari Kurose, Secretary, International Kendo federation.

There were no trainings planned in Tokyo, so we took 3 days to look around the city.

The things we saw:

Yasukuni Jinja Shrine (www.yasukuni.or.jp);

Sumo Museum (www.sumo.or.jp/eng/museum/index.html);

National Museum of Nature and Science (www.kahaku.go.jp);

Metropolitan Edo Tokyo Museum (www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp);

Tokyo National Museum (www.tnm.jp);

Tsukiji market (fish nmarket);

Hama-rikyu Gardens;

Kaneiji Temple;

Imperial Palace East Gardens;

Also we took a look and cheered for the "The 30th anniversary 2008 Tokyo International Women's Marathon" and "The 19th World Karate Championships" sportsmen.

Part of the members left Japan from Narita airport in Tokyo, others went to Osaka to continue sightseeing:

Osaka Castle (www.osakacastle.net/castle_en/index.htm).

This small review won't show the impressions we got from this trip. We will try to compensate it with some photos.

Kyudo seminar took place in Riga on 17 - 19 of October 2008. The seminar was supervised by Feliks Hoff-sensei (6 dan Kyudo, Kyoshi, Germany).

Kendo seminar took place in Riga on 26 - 28 of September. The seminar was supervised by Mikko Salonen-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi, Finland), Kari Jaaskelainen-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Finland) and Akseli Korhonen (3 dan Kendo, Finland).

Iaido and Jodo seminar took place in Riga on 19 - 21 of September. The seminar was supervised by Takao Momiyama-sensei (7 dan Iaido, Renshi, 6 dan Jodo, 5 dan Kendo, Sweden).
Following members have been graded within the seminar limits for:

Iaido
1 kyu: Dmitry Alelunas;

Tankendo and Kendo seminar took place in Helsinki, Finland on 19 - 21 of August 2008. The seminar was supervised by Ryuichi Takeda-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi) and Yoshinobu Kon-sensei (7 dan Tankendo, Renshi, 6 dan Kendo).

The annual Pori Jazz Kendo camp was held in Ulvila, Finland on 15 - 20 of July 2008. The camp activities were supervised by Claude Pruvost-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Renshi, France), Jean-Yves Hoarau-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi, France), Markus Frey-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi, Finland), Mikko Salonen-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi, Finland), Takao Momiyama-sensei (7 dan Iaido, Renshi, 6 dan Jodo, 5 dan Kendo, Sweden) and Rolf Radakovits-sensei (6 dan Iaido, Renshi, 5 dan Jodo, Sweden). The demonstration of HOJO kata by Pruvost-sensei and Hoarau-sensei was also included in the camp program.

The annual Kyudo seminar took place in Loughborough, UK on 2 - 14 of July 2008. The seminar was organized by European Kyudo federation (EKF).
The seminar was supervised by the following members of EKF:
Liam O'Brien, Kyoshi 7 dan;
Feliks Hoff, Kyoshi 6 dan;
Tryggvi Sigurdsson, Kyoshi 6 dan;
Laurence Oriou, Kyoshi 6 dan;

The following members of All Nippon Kyudo federation also have taken part in the seminar:
Takeo Ishikawa, Hanshi 8 dan;
Ichiro Uozumi, Hanshi 8 dan;
Terumi Akiyama, Hanshi 8 dan;
Fumio Hayashi, Hanshi 8 dan;

Three groups were organized for the seminar participants.
First - 1 dan and lower.
Second - 2 dan and 3 dan.
Third - 4 dan and above.
Vladimir Kindzulis have taken part in the seminar in the first group.
Gradation was held by the end of the seminar. Following members were graded for:

Kyudo
1 dan: Vladimir Kindzulis;

On the 5th of August, 2008 Latvian Kendo Federation Kendo seminar took place in Riga.
Following sportsmen of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded for:

2 kyu: Dyachuk Maksim, Chernolikh Alexander;
3 kyu: Popovich Alexander;
4 kyu: Zarinsh Martinsh;
5 kyu: Dakshs Renats, Kostyrya Andrey, Krauklis Ritvars;

From 26 - 29 June, 2008, a Jodo and Iaido seminar was held in the town not far from Goteborg called Ellos, Sweden.

The seminar was supervised by Jock Hopson (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi, 7 dan Jodo, Kyoshi).

Also in a seminar have taken part:

Chris Mansfield (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi, 7 dan Jodo, Kyoshi);
Rene van Amersfoort (7 dan Iaido, Renshi, 7 dan Jodo, Renshi);
Takao Momiyama (7 dan Iaido, Renshi, 6 dan Jodo);
Rolf Radakovits (6 dan Iaido, 5 dan Jodo);

"Goteborg Iaido Open 2008" Iaido tournament was held within the limits of the seminar.

Vladimir Kindzulis took 3rd place among 1 dan (shodan) sportsmen.

Following members of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the seminar limits for:

Iaido
2 dan: Vladimir Kindzulis;

From 30 May - 01 June, 2008, a Kendo seminar was held in Riga, Latvia. The seminar was supervised by Kari Jaaskelainen (5 dan Kendo, Finland) and Atsuko Kasajima (5 dan Kendo, Japan).

26 April, 2008, Kendo open team tournament has been held in Riga, Latvia. Following teams have participated: France, Finland and two teams from Latvia.

Official results:

1. France
2. Finland
3. Latvia I

On the 5th of April, 2008 Latvian Kendo Federation seminar took place in Riga. DAN Tup and KYU Cup tournaments were held in the framework of this seminar.

Results:

DAN Cup
1. Arsenin Denis;
2. Janulis Denis;
3. Pochs Margers;

KYU Cup
1. Dyachuk Maksim;
2. Chernolikh Alexander;
3. Zarinsh Martinsh;

Fighting Spirit:
Zarinsh Martinsh;

Following sportsmen of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the tournament limits for:

3 kyu: Dyachuk Maksim, Chernolikh Alexander, Brumelis Arnis;
4 kyu: Popovich Alexander, Shafranek Ingemar;
5 kyu: Zarinsh Martinsh, Dunder Yan, Kopylov Anton;
6 kyu: Dakshs Renats, Osis Arvid, Kostyrya Andrey, Krauklis Ritvars;

From 21 to 23 of March 2008, 22nd European Kendo Championship has been held in Helsinki, Finland. Latvia was represented by 7 members of Latvian Kendo Federation. In the group tournament Latvia was placed in the same group as Macedonia and Bulgaria. After losing to both teams this tournament was over for us. In the individual tournament 3 of our members qualified from the group stage (each winning multiple fights) but the next fights were lost. We all gained a lot of experience and of course the stimulus to train even harder in order to participate in this kind of tournaments in a worthy manner.

Official championship website www.ekc2008.com.

From 29 of February to 02 of March 2008, a Kendo seminar took place in Tallinn, Estonia, under the direction of Ryuichi Takeda-sensei (7 dan Kendo), Koji Saito-sensei (7 dan Kendo), Huruhide Chiba-sensei (7 dan Kendo), Hideshiro Kobayashi-sensei (6 dan Kendo), Yoshinobu Kon-sensei (6 dan Kendo). Also, several kendo students from Yamagata, Niigata, Sendai and Tohoku Fukushi universities took part in the seminar, which took place just a few weeks before the 22nd European Kendo Championship so much time was devoted to matches (shiai). During the seminar we experienced Tan-Kendo (short sword) for the first time, thanks to Kon-sensei.

Following members of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the seminar limits for:

2 dan: Pehota Dmitry;

On the 15th of February 2008 in the Embassy of Japan in Latvia, Kendo equipment that was sent by All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF), was presented to Latvian Kendo Federation. From the Japanese side, the equipment was presented by Charge d Affaires a.i. of Embassy of Japan, Mr. Katsuhiko Kubo. All payments, connected with purchase and delivery of the equipment, were covered by AJKF . Latvian Kendo Federation is thankful for the support, given by AJKF.

On the 3rd of February 2008 our sportsmen participated in the "Dan Cup" international Kendo tournament, which took place in Helsinki, Finland. And it must be said, that they performed in a worthy manner - three sportsmen qualified from the group stage and as a result, Margers Pochs took 3rd place. On behalf of LKF, we congratulate Margers on this achievement!!!

From 30 October - 4 November European Iaido and Jodo championships took place in Paris, France.
For the first time Latvia was represented by the President of the Latvian Kendo Federation, Vladimir Kindzulis, who took part in this event. During the week there was an opportunity to attend seminars run by the Japanese masters:
Iaido:
Satanori Ueno-sensei (8 Dan Iaido, Hanshi), Chihiroi Kishimoto-sensei (8 Dan Iaido, Hanshi), Takashige Yamazaki-sensei (8 Dan Iaido, Hanshi), Shizofumi Ishido-sensei (8 Dan Iaido, Hanshi).
Jodo:
Kenji Matsui-sensei (8 Dan Jodo, Hanshi), Shigehiro Matsumura-sensei (8 Dan Jodo, Hanshi), Mitsuo Shiya-sensei (8 Dan Jodo, Hanshi), Shizofumi Ishido-sensei (8 Dan Jodo, Kyoshi).

It was very interesting to take part in competitions and seminars which were especially useful.
Our first Iaido teacher Taron Avakimyants (Chairman of Iaido committee of Russian Kendo Federation) was given a special award for Fighting spirit.
Official homepage of the championship: www.eic-ejc2007.com

Photos ¬

In 20 October 2007 our sportsmen took part in competition in Sweden "Stockholm Kendo Open 2007".
Sportsmen from Finland, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Sweden took part in this contest.
Contest was held in two groups: the first - up to 1 dan (kyu) and the second only for those who have dan. The best result was shown by Denis Janulis (1. kyu) who was the 5th in the first group. After competition grading took place.

Were graded:
Black belt 2 dan (nidan): Andrejs Pavulans, Denis Arsenins;
Black belt 1dan (shodan): Denis Janulis;

Official results of the competition - http://www.fska.se/sko/results.htm

From August 7 to August 13, 2007 guests from sister-city Kobe, Japan visited Riga. They were representatives of Kobe Kendo League Masao Yoshida-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi) un Kensaku Kobayashi (4 dan Kendo).

The event was held in the framework of sports delegation exchange programme among sister-cities. The guests went on a city tour and met the Mayor of Riga J.Birks. They held a seminar which was attended by the members of our kendo club and which became a significant event. We are very grateful to our quests for a very good and useful seminar programme.

Photos ¬

From 18 to 22 July in Finland, Ulvila annual Pori Jazz Kendo seminar was held. The seminar was run by Shinichi Yamagami-sensei (8 dan Kendo, Kyushi, Japan), Takayoshi Ito-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi, 7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi, 7 dan Jodo, Kyoshi, Japan), Toshizo Noguchi-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi, Japan), Kunro Shiroyama (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi, Japan), Hisao Imazu-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi, Japan), Rolf Radakovits-sensei (6 dan Iaido, 5 dan Jodo, Sweden).

In the programme of the seminar the following disciplines were included: Kendo, Iaido, Jodo ш Tanjo. In the framework of seminar gradation took place. Were graded for:

Kendo
1 dan: Yanis Zarinsh, Marks Shpungins;
1 kyu: Denis Janulis

Photos ¬

Iaido and Jodo seminar has been held on 31 May - 3 June 2007 in Ellos, Sweden and led by Shizufumi Ishido-sensei (8 dan Iaido, Hanshi, 8 dan Jodo, Kyoshi).

Also in a seminar have taken part:
Jock Hopson (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi, 7 dan Jodo, Kyoshi);
Chris Mansfield (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi, 7 dan Jodo, Kyoshi);
Rene van Amersfoort (7 dan Iaido, Renshi, 7 dan Jodo, Renshi);
Takao Momiyama (6 dan Iaido, Renshi, 6 dan Jodo);
Chris Buxton (6 dan Iaido, Renshi, 6 dan Jodo, Renshi);
Rolf Radakovits (6 dan Iaido, 5 dan Jodo);

Following sportsmen of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the seminar limits for:

Iaido
1 dan: Vladimir Kindzulis, Denis Janulis;

Jodo
1 dan: Vladimir Kindzulis;

Photos ¬

The 21st European Kendo Championship was held in Lisbon, Portugal, April 27-29, 2007. Latvia was represented by the following Latvian Kendo Federation's (LKF) members: Vladimir Kindzulis, Margers Pochs, Andrei Tatarinov, Andrei Pavulans, and Denis Arsenin.

This was a major accomplishment for the LKF, because it was the first time the LKF participated in such a renowned and significant competition. During the championship, the LKF's members earned their first victories, and also gained a tremendous amount of valuable experience that will definitely be of value in future championships. Latvia's lost both competitions in the team category, but in individual competitions Andrei Pavulans won first place in his bracket, and Margers Pochs and Denis Arsenins won second place in their respective brackets. Unfortunately, in the next round, all competitors failed to advance.

Regardless of the outcome, participation in the championship is viewed positively by the LKF, because it was an opportunity to compete with Europe's best Kendo athletes. During the championships evaluation and certification of competitors also took place. Margers Pochs and Andrei Tatarinov passed the required examinations to reach the 2 dan level.

Official results:
http://www.kendo.pt/21st_EKC_results.htm

Photos ¬

The LKF would like to congratulate the Lithuanian Kendo Association, and its president, Mr Gerardas Rukas, on being accepted as full-fledged members of the EKF !!!

31 March 2007, Kendo open team tournament has been held in Riga, Latvia. Following teams have participated: France, Finland, UK, Lithuania, Latvia and Russia.

Official results:

1. France
2. Finland
3. Latvia

Opening ceremony by Mr. Jeff Humm-sensei (5th Dan Kyudo, UK) (video) ¬

Iaido - Kenshin Washio-sensei (7th dan Iaido, Kyoshi, 6th dan Kendo Kyoshi, 5th dan Jodo; holder of menkyo in Ni Ten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu and okuiri menkyo in Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu, Japan) (video) ¬

Ni Ten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu - Kazuko Ando-sensei (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi, 5 dan Jodo, 4 dan Kendo, Japan) and David K.Groff (4 dan Iaido, 3 dan Jodo, 1 dan Kendo, Japan) (video) ¬

RIGA KENDO OPEN 2007 - The Best (video) ¬

Photos ¬

Following sportsmen of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the tournament limits for:

Kendo
2 kyu: Denis Janulis, Reinhard Muravsky, Roberts Eihmanis;
4 kyu: Arnis Brumelis;
5 kyu: Nikolai Sorokin;
6 kyu: Iozaps Zubavichs, Aleksander Chernolikh;

Iaido, Jodo ш Ni Ten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu seminar has been held on 27 March - 4 April 2007 in Riga, Latvia and led by Kenshin Washio-sensei (7th dan Iaido, Kyoshi, 6th dan Kendo Kyoshi, 5th dan Jodo; holder of menkyo in Ni Ten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu and okuiri menkyo in Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu, Japan), Kazuko Ando-sensei (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi, 5 dan Jodo, 4 dan Kendo, Japan) and David K.Groff (4 dan Iaido, 3 dan Jodo, 1 dan Kendo, Japan).

Following sportsmen of Latvian Kendo Federation have been graded within the seminar limits for:

Iaido
1 kyu (ikkyu): Vladimir Kindzulis, Denis Janulis;

Jodo
1 kyu (ikkyu): Vladimir Kindzulis, Denis Janulis;

Photos

from 26 to 28 January, 2007 members of Latvian KENDO clubs participated in Kendo, Iaido and Jodo seminar in Kisakeskus, Finland. This was Anniversary celebrating seminar with number of exelent and honourable KENDO practioners from Japan and Europe:

DELEGATIONS
Japanese
Mr. IWATATE Saburo, Hanshi 8.dan
Mr. TAKASAKI Yoshio, Kyoshi 8.dan
Mr. KANEKO Tadashi, Kyoshi 7.dan
Mr. NISHIOKA Hiroyuki, Kyoshi 7.dan
Mr. FURUSAWA Satoshi, Kyoshi 7.dan
Mr. SUGO Nobuyuki, Kyoshi 7.dan
Mr. OTA Yoriyasu Kyoshi 7.dan
Mr. UEMATSU Daihachiro Renshi 7.dan
Ms. NO Noriko, Kyoshi 7.dan
Mr. OKADA Shoji, Kyoshi 7.dan
Mr TAKEDA Koji 6.dan

European
Mr. DURCAME Alain, 7.dan Kendo, EKF President, Belgia
Mr. RAICK Jean-Pierre, 7.dan Kendo, EKF Technical Director, France
Mr. LEHMANN Ralph, 7.dan Kendo, Germany
Mr. GOMEZ Emilio, 7.dan Kendo, Spain
Mr. WAHLQVIST Mats, 7.dan Kendo, Sweden
Mr. MOMIYAMA Takao, 6.dan Iaido, 6.dan Jodo, 5.dan Kendo, Sweden
Mr. HENDRICKX Serge, 6.dan, Belgia, Eurobogu

From 5-7 January, 2007, a Kendo seminar was held in Riga, Latvia. The seminar was supervised by Claude Pruvost (7th dan Renshi Kendo, France) and Odile Pruvost (5th dan Kendo, France). Guests from Estonia and Lithuania also took part in this event.

From 17th to 19th november 2006 members of Riga Kendo club participated in Kendo seminar organised by "Ki-Ken-Tai-Icchi-ry" club from Finland. Seminar was supervised by Toshiyuki Hara-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi, Imperial Police, Japan), Noriko No-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi, Shofukan dojo, Chiba, Japan), Mikko Salonen-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Finland) and Markus Frey-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Finland).

During the seminar qualification was organized and was graduated following kendokas:

Vladimir Kindzulis for 3rd dan Kendo.

From 13 to 15 March, 2006 open KENDO seminar took place in Riga. Latvian Kendo fedeartion was honored to welcome Mikko Salonen (6 dan Kendo, Finland), Markus Frey (6 dan Kendo, Finland) and Susanna Porevuo (5 dan Kendo, Finland).

During the seminar were graduated following kendokas:

3 kyu: Deniss Janulis, Reinhards Muravskis, Roberts Eihmanis;
5 kyu: Arnis Brumelis, Aleksejs Obraztcovs, Ingemars Shafraneks;

4-5 August 2006 our clubТs team has took part at Kendo seminar in Vilnius as per invitation of Lithuanian club "Trijega" (president Mr.Darius Sutkus). The seminar has been led by УHIZENФ Club head instructor (www.hizenfoundation.org) sensei Mr. Jeff Humm (6 dan Kendo, Renshi, 6 dan Kyudo) and other instructors of this club from England.

Members of УHIZENФ club Jeff Humm (6 dan Kyudo), Gerardas Rukas (1 dan Kyudo) and Andrei Pramalts (1 dan Kyudo) also carried out a performance of Kyudo (shooting with traditional Japanese bow Yumi).

Photos ¬      Kyudo (video) ¬     

13-21 July 2006 our clubТs team visited Sister-city Kobe, Japan under financial support of Riga City Hall. We have been met by sensei Mr. Junichi Hirata (6 dan Kendo, Renshi) and Mr. Kiyofuyu Suenaga (6 dan Kendo, Renshi) in International Kansai Airport of Osaka and then taken to Kobe city by bus. We have been hosted by Japanese families for the first three days and it let us to familiarize and understand Japanese culture and way of life. We have had a wonderful sightseeing tour during the first day of our visit in Kobe including shopping in Kendo store of Maruyama-sensei (8 dan Kendo, Kyoshi) and Kyudo store of Hiroshi Terauchi-sensei (7 dan Kyudo, Kyoshi). We have had a lot of keikos of different disciplines during the first three days of our staying in Kobe at different dojos.

"Kobe City College of Technology" we are very grateful to:

Kendo: Masakazu Fujii-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi), Kenta Nishida-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi), Nobukazu Yoneda-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi), Seigo Mitsutake-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi), Hirofumi Kubota -sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi), Kazuho Nakagawa-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi), Minoru Ebisu-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi), Sumio Kishikawa-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi), Junichi Hirata-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi), Masayuki Itikawa-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi), Toshikazu Yosioka-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi), Kiyofuyu Suenaga-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Renshi), and also other kendokas of "Kobe Kendo League" and "Kobe City Kendo club".

Iaido: Masakazu Oshita-sensei (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi), Kazuo Ono-sensei (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi), Masafumi Siiya-sensei (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi), Hidemichi Karatsu-sensei (7 dan Iaido, Kyoshi), Takaki Fuziwara-sensei (6 dan Iaido, Renshi) and their students. It was interesting to meet Aresyandre Peraira (3 dan Iaido) from Brazil and Jonh Honisz-Greens (5 dan Iaido) from Scotland.

Jodo: Shigeo Takahira-sensei (7 dan Jodo, Kyoshi), Kiniyasu Yosioka-sensei (6 dan Jodo, Renshi), Toru Fuzitani-sensei (6 dan Jodo, Renshi), Mitio Kimura-sensei (6 dan Jodo, Renshi) and their students. We also have managed to practice at Oji Gymnasium (Hyogo prefecture Kendo Union practice center), keiko was held by many Kendo 8 dan sensei.

Kyudo: Hiroshi Terauchi-sensei (7 dan Kyudo, Kyoshi) and his students.

We have spent one day in center of Kobe staying at in "Tower Side Hotel", in order to jump deeper in Kobe city life having a lot of walks.

On the next day we had a meeting with mayor of Kobe - Mr. Tatsuo Yada, followed by sightseeing tour to Kyoto. We have attended following fascinating places:

- Buddhist temple УKinkaku-JiФ, famous by its Golden Pavilion;
- "Nijo-JoФ castle built by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1603 being a shogun residence till 1867, the place is famous with its УNightingale floorsФ.
- "Heian-jingu" Shinto shrine with its beautiful gardens. The influence of Chinese architecture can be easily noticed.
- Buddhist temple "Kiyomizu-Dera" situated up on the mountain and built on the 14 m wooden pillars. Opening a unforgettable view on Kyoto and its suburbia.

Then we have been taken to "Ramada Kansai Ku-Kou" hotel in Osaka near the airport in order to return at home on the next day.

We would like to thank the authorities of Sister-cities Riga and Kobe for the chance of taking part in exchanging program, also "Kobe Kendo League" and "Kobe City Kendo club" entire practicing arrangements.

Photos ¬      Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu (тшфхю) ¬      Nijo-Jo Castle (battle koi video)  ¬  

Jodan  ¬  

26-28 May 2006 Iaido seminar took place in Riga. The seminar has been led by sensei Mr. Taron Avakimyants (4 dan Iaido, 3 dan Kendo, 5 dan Karate) invited by LKF. He is the chairman of Iaido Committee of Russian Kendo Federation.

Photos ¬

From 24 to 26 March, 2006 open KENDO seminar and competition took place in Riga. Latvian Kendo fedeartion was honored to welcome Takeda-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Japan) Yamagata University; Saito-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Japan) Sendai University; Kobayashi-sensei (6 dan Kendo, Japan) Niigata University and group of students from these Universities.

Teams from Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Japan participated in competition. Winner of competition was team of Japan students.

During the seminar demonstration of work with Naginata was performed by Saito-sensei (7 dan Kendo) together with one of his students.

During the seminar were graduated following kendokas:

Shodan: Dmitry Pehota, Margers Pochs, Andrey Tatarinov;
1 kyu: Andrey Pavulans, Deniss Arsenin;
2 kyu: Janis Zarinsh; Arno Marnics;
4 kyu: Reinhards Muravskis; Matiass Agabuss (EE);
5 kyu: Dmitry Aleluns;
6 kyu: Sergey Kolmakov, Dmitry Putilov, Gints Bubiers;

Latvian Kendo Federation expreses thanks to :
- Mr. Toufic Kawar - Honorary consul of Latvia with Kingdom of Marocco;
- Council of Riga;
- Mr. Ville Jehe Ц the representative of Estonian Kendo federation;

Photos ¬        LNT (video report) ¬        Poster ¬        Naginatado (video) ¬

In 10th February 2006 representatives from Latvian Kendo Federation participated in General Assembly of European Kendo Federation. Latvian Kendo Federation was admited to European Kendo Federation as a full member.

Photos ¬

From 15 to 24 July 2005 Riga was wisited by Kendo teacher from Japan Ц Mr. Hirata Junichi (6 dan Kendo) who governed week long seminar.

Mr.Hirata Junichi come to Riga according to agreement between Riga and Kobe cities that determines exchange of Kendo delegation between both Sister-cities.

During seminar demonstartion of Kendo and Iaido was performed. Demonstrations was observed by Mayor of Riga Ц Mr. A.Aksenoks, Charge d Affaires a.i. Embassy of Japan in Latvia Ц Mr. Tanaka Susumu and Foreign Minister of Republic of Latvia Ц Mr. A.Pabriks.

Latvian Kendo Federation expreses gratitude to Mr. Tanaka Susumu and Riga City for supporting this seminar.

Latvian Kendo Federation also expreses gratitude to Mr. Hirata Junichi for his endurance!

Photos ¬