Sotaro Ueda (11) and his younger brother Kohsuke (9) have done it again.
In May 2009, Sotaro took out first place in the Junior Samurai division of the New Zealand Kendo Federation (NZKF) 2009 National Championships, held at Stadium Southland, Invercargill.
On November 8, he took a step up with a promotion to 1st kyu – just one grade below black belt (1st Dan).
Younger brother Kohsuke, who took out third place in May, was promoted to 4th kyu. Other members of the Otago Kendo Club to gain promotion were Michael Wrigley (3rd kyu) and Sandra Wheeler (5th kyu).
Both boys were extremely happy with the result, but for Sotaro it is slightly bittersweet – NZKF grading regulations, designed around maturity, prevents him from testing for 1st Dan until he is 15. However, he does have plenty to keep him busy until then, as he and his brother will soon be competing in the South Island Kendo Championships, held in Christchurch in December this year.
They will fight under the banner of parent club Invercargill.
Sotaro and Kohsuke have been practicing the ancient Japanese martial art of Kendo since 2005 when Invercargill Kendo Club chief instructor Tatsuya Fukuda first started instructing in Dunedin.
Mr Fukuda said that he was "very proud" of the brothers' performances. "Their success is because of their commitment to training hard," he said.
NZKF President Graham Sayer also commented on the generally high level of performance from all of those at the grading. He commended Mr Fukuda on his leadership of the club.
Mr Fukuda noted that while most of New Zealand's senior kendoka (Kendo practitioners) began their training as adults or young adults, these boys had the advantage of beginning their training while young.
They would definitely be kendoka to look out for in future years, possibly even making the New Zealand National Squad to contest the World Kendo Championships, he said.
Kendo Facts
Kendo is a Japanese martial art based on traditional Japanese
sword-fighting.
Kendo means “way of the sword” and is a physically and
mentally challenging activity that combines martial arts
values with sport-like physical elements.
Kendoka (practitioners) wear traditional clothing and armour
which protects specified target areas of the body and use a
shinai (bamboo sword) as a weapon.
Points are awarded for striking a competitor in certain parts
of the body while landing the front foot at the same time as
the strike.
The attacker must also kiai (shout) at the time of
contact.
Points are only awarded if, after the attack has taken place,
the attacker remains aware of the defender’s actions - ready
to strike again. Judges award a point with a flag which
corresponds with the colour worn by the competitor.
The competitor with the most points at the end of the match
wins.