Shufukai 10th Anniversary Tournament
Saturday October 27  Sunday, October, 28

RANDOLPH, MA - Boston Kendo Kyokai returned to the podium after a four year drought with an exciting 3rd place finish in the Eighth Goyokai Shiai held in Randolph Massachusetts that earned them their fourth medal in eight years, a gold in 2000, a silver in 2001, a bronze in 2002 and this year's bronze.  This year's tournament, also the 10th Anniversary celebration of the host Boston Shu Fu Kai dojo, attracted a record 145 competitors from 14 dojos including 15 members of Boston Kendo Kyokai.

On hand for the tournament were several sensei from Japan including Teruyuki Matsubara-sensei, Hanshi-8dan, Toshiyuki Matsubara-sensei, Kyoshi-7dan, Tetsuo Fujino-sensei, Kyoshi-7dan and Kiyoshi Toyotomi-sensei, Kyoshi-7dan.  Also attending were Mark Grivas-sensei, Kyoshi 7 dan, Shuji Matsushita-sensei, 6 dan, Thomas Hooper-sensei, 6 dan and Misao Grivas-sensei 6 dan.

First row, left to right: Toshimi Yoshida sensei, Women's Division Champion, Fukusho 3rd Place Team; David Harrison sensei, Taisho 3rd Place Team; Mr. Lumyr Derisier, 3rd Place Mudan Division; Mr. Ray Kameda, Jiho 3rd Place Team; Mr. Sang Woo Chi, Sempo 3rd Place Team.  Back row, left to right: Ms. Viviana Peloso; Mr. Oleg Stakhanov; Richard Sisitsky sensei, Chuken 3rd Place Team; Mr. Max Urena; Mr. Danilo Vujicic; Mr. Joe Koon; Mr. Tomas Peloso and Mr. Zedong Zhang.

The Team Division was very competitive with outstanding kenshi from Canada, New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.  Twenty four teams were vying for the championship. Boston Kendo Kyokai fielded three teams (A, B, C).  Team A: Sempo - Sang Woo Chi (3 dan); Jiho - Ray Kameda (3 dan); Chuken - Rich Sisitsky-sensei (4 dan); Fukusho - Toshimi Yoshida-sensei (5 dan); and Taisho -David Harrison-sensei (5 dan) reached the semifinals by defeating Sei Zan Kai (3-2) and Kenshinkai A (3-2).

There they ran into the powerhouse team that eventually won the championship, Entobicoke (Canada) Kendo Club.  After a hard fought and competitive match Entobicoke emerged victorious 3-1.  The Entobicoke team featured at least two Team Canada members including the eventual San Dan and Up champion Shigemitsu Kamata-sensei (5 dan).  Team Canada won the silver medal in the most recent World Kendo Championships.

Boston Kendo Kyokai A - 3rd Place winners in the Team Division.

Boston Kendo Kyokai B also made a run deep into the tournament reaching the quarter finals only to lose by a point to a strong Ken Zen A team.  Boston Kendo C made their first appearance at shiai and won their first match before losing to a powerful NY Shinbukan team in a valient effort.

In the biggest upset of the tournament in the San Dan and Up Division, Mr. Sang Woo Chi (3 dan) of Boston Kendo Kyokai defeated four time Gokokai champion Toshihiro Ogimura sensei in the first round by a score of 2-0.  Chi-senshu withstood Ogimura-sensei's ferocious onslaught answering with debana kote and shomen uchi.  It was a truly awesome match that stunned the onlookers and delighted Boston Kendo Kyokai supporters.  Chi senshu's speed and deceptive movement frustrated his opponent creating the openings Chi-senshu needed for victory.

Sang Woo Chi upsets Toshihiro Ogimura in action packed match that stunned onlookers.

In the Women's Division perennial champion and star of Boston Kendo Kyokai, Toshimi Yoshida-sensei (5 dan) defended her title by defeating Miyun Kang (3 dan) of Ken Zen dojo, New York.  Yoshida-sensei won three straight matches to reach the finals.  Yoshida-sensei recently won the Women's Division at the Mid-West Kendo Championships in Chicago.  Earlier in the year, Yoshida-senei was the gold medal winner of the Women's Division of the All Eastern U.S. Kendo Championships in New York.  In addition to competing in the women's divisions, she also competes in the San Dan and Up division and is the mainstay of Boston Kendo Kyokai A team.

Boston Kendo Kyokai's Mudansha contingent were outstanding.  Everyone advanced from the round robin brackets into the elimination round.  Lumyr Derisier (1 kyu)  won the bronze medal after defeating fellow Boston Kendo Kyokai member Zedong Zhang (2 kyu) in the quarterfinals and advancing to the semis.  Lumyr was ferocious throughout the tournament, in both individual and team competitions.  His kiai could be heard throughout the gymnasium as he launched dynamic men attacks on his opponents.

Honorable mention goes to Max Urena (2 kyu) who reached the third round with some fantastic men ippon. Max won both of his round robin matches placing first in his bracket.  He went on to win two more matches in the elination round before losing a close match.

It was another successful tournament experience for all Boston Kendo Kyokai members.  Each person learned a lot, met new friends, connected with old friends and just had great fun.  There was much excellent kendo to watch as well.  Our congratulations and thanks go to everyone from Shu Fu Kai dojo for hosting such a wonderful event.  We would also like to congratulate this year's winners: Team -  Entobicoke (Toronto) Kendo Club, Yudansha (3dan and above) - Mr.  Kamata (Etobocoke), Yudansha (1-2 dan) - Mr. Takuma Yoshida (Shu Fu Kai), Women - Ms. Toshimi Yoshida (Boston Kendo Kyokai) and Mudansha - Mr. Ducan Brown (NY Kenshin Kai).

Finally, we'd like to congratulate all members of Boston Kendo Kyokai who participated and gave their best effort, showed good kendo form and manners.  Winners all.

We can't wait for next year!