Ryu Ken Chi Dojo from Paulshof among list of winners at inaugural Junior Kendo Championships

The best practitioners of the tournament will be picked to represent South Africa in the upcoming European Kendo Championship next year.

December 8, 2022

Khomotso Makgabutlane 2 minutes read

Xander Warricker of the San Kawa Kendo Dojo keeps an eye on Kudjo Witbooi from Midrand Kendo Dojo in the Junior Kendo Championships. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Junior kendo practitioners including several from a Paulshof-based dojo took part in the inaugural Junior Kendo Championships hosted by the South African Kendo Federation.

The trophy and medals for the Junior Kendo Championships hosted at Parkhurst Recreation Centre. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The tournament consisted of an inter-club team and individual competitions. Kendo teams who took part on the day in the semi-finals included Team Samurai Slayers of the Ryu Ken Chi Dojo in Paulshof and Observatory; Team San Kawa of the San Kawa Kendo Dojo in Parkwood; and Team Shihoko of the Shihoko Kendo Dojo in Midrand.
Logann Naidoo, the technical director for the national federation said there was massive excitement about holding this tournament for the first time, and that a national team would be chosen from this young group to represent the country at next year’s European Kendo Championships.

Phillip Steyn goes up against Diya Nannan in the Junior Kendo Championship tournament. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“We would like to promote this sport more, and promote our youth climbing up the ranks,” he said.
“What these young fighters showcase here today is what will determine how the tournament will go as well. It is also our first time using an electronic scoring system, which is a first for South Africa.”

Maxime Stableforth-Carre (right) holds his position after his opponent takes a slight fall in their fight at Parkhurst Recreation Centre. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The shinpan (referees) decided the winners of the fighting spirit award in both the team and individual competitions. The award is given to the individual who inspired others by giving it their all in every fight while still showing courtesy and fairness to their opponents, displaying extraordinary discipline and gracefully tackling obstacles using the kendo principles they have learnt.
These awards went to Gabriel Piktija from the Ryu Ken Chi Observatory branch in the team competition and Charles Sun from the same dojo for the solo competition.
Head sensei of the Ryu Ken Chi Dojo, Warren Ho said it was a good tournament for his teams in terms of results.

Phillip Steyn (right) goes to block an attack from his opponent in the Junior Kendo Championships. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“I am super proud of their accomplishments and that is a testament to their training efforts. For those who could have done better, it’s back to the dojo for more training,” he said.
“The Ryu Ken Chi juniors and the other juniors from the other dojos represent the future of South African Kendo and that future is looking brighter than ever.”

San Kawa Kendo Dojo’s Phillip Steyn goes to block an attack made by his opponent in the Junior Kendo Championship. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

In the team competition the results were the following:

Team Samurai Slayers of the Ryu Ken Chi Dojo was the winner
Team San Kawa in second
Teams Midrand and Shihoko in joint third.

The individual competition saw the following results:

Phillip Steyn from San Kawa Kendo Dojo placed first
Maxime Stableforth-Carre who currently lives and trains in Mauritius in second
Charles Sun of Ryu Ken Chi Dojo and Kudjo Witbooi Midrand Kendo Dojo tied for third place.

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