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NZ Novice Championship Results

This event was currently paused because of Covid, but will resume in November 2025


* * *

The 12th New Zealand Kendo Novice Championship
9-10 November 2019


Acknowledgments 


We thank Jason Oh Sensei (6th Dan) from North Shore Kendo Club for his service as the Shinpan-cho (chief judge) and running the shinpan workshop in the Novice Champ. Huge thanks also go to Ben Chin, Makoto Kuroda, Naoko Stephenson, Walt Kim, Thomas Hong, Leo Lin, Luo Wen, Eric Viola, Ren Sayer, and Yoko Maruyama for their service as a shinpan. 

Shinpan workshop led by the Yondan Senpai 

This is the third time of Yon-Dan Division Shiai as a shiai demonstration for the novice Kendoka to learn from their high grade senpai but also providing an opportunity for these junior Kendo instructors to learn from each other in a shiai situation. We appreciate the efforts from all the participants: Naoko Stephenson (AKC)Wlat Kim (NSKC), Thomas Hong (NSKC), Luo Wen (WKC), Ben Chin (AKC), Ren Sayer (AKC), Yoko Maruyama (AKC), Eric Viola (AKC) and Leo Lin (WKC). 

Lastly, we thank Marleen Charng sensei for the efforts of organising this great event and all the Waikato Kendo Club members who have helped the hard work behind the scene.

The highlight of this year was the young Samurai (from age 6 and many high school students) picking up shinai and joined this year's Novice! This was first ever team events for young kids in New Zealand Kendo society. 


Thanks to all the Kendo Friends from Auckland Kendo Club, North Shore Kendo Club, and Rototuna High School Kendo Club


It is always a great pleasure to see so many talented young people have dedicate themselves in Kendo and the Novice Champ as a part of their Kendo journey. 

* 2019 Results *

Kihon Enbu Division

1st Position
Rei Seoyeon Kang
WKC
2nd Position
Jimmie Cho
WKC
Youth Division (under 14)

1st Position
Imil Jose
NSKC
2nd Position
Genzui Kudo
AKC
3rd Position
Sed Jose
NSKC
Fighting Spirit
Jiho Kim  
NSKC 

Women's Dan Division

1st Position
Joyce Tsai
WKC
2nd Position
Clay Zhou
AKC 
3rd Position
Miku Asano
WKC 
Fighting Spirit
Yana Twizell
WKC

Men's Kyu Division

1st Position
Hyeongsun Kim
NSKC
2nd Position
Genzui Kudo
NSKC 
3rd Position
Imil Jose
NSKC 
Fighting Spirit
Rikki Endo
WKC

Men's Dan Division

1st Position
Kent Tanimukai
AKC
2nd Position
Jeffrey Ke
WKC 
3rd Position
Rex Wu
WKC 
Fighting Spirit
Jason Nguyen
WKC 

Inter-Club Team Division

1st Position
North Shore Kendo Club
Bokyom Kim
DJ
2nd Position
Auckland Kendo Club

Genzui Kudo
Kent Tanimukai
Clay Zhou

3rd Position
Waikato Kendo Club
Rikki Endo
Rex Wu
Joyce Tsai

Fighting Spirit

Genzui Kudo 

Auckland Kendo Club


Yon-Dan Enbu Division

1st Position
Walt Kim
NSKC
2nd Position
Eric Viola
AKC 
3rd Position
Leo Lin
WKC 
Fighting Spirit
Yoko Maruyama
AKC 

* * * 

Facebook Pages of the 2019 Participating Kendo Clubs

More photos are available at the event Facebook Photo Album:

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