Cork January 2005 Alternatively: Lots of choices

Very early (most would say too early) on a cold January morning a number of Kodokan Kendoka met at Stansted Airport to board a flight to Cork.

We knew where we were going, unfortunately it transpired the Pilot didn’t (Unfair…. fog in Cork).

So upon landing in Shannon we had a choice [First choice] either to get on a Ryanair coach or rent a number of cars and quickly find our way to the nearest high quality eating establishment. We chose the latter and enjoyed an excellent fry up in deepest darkest Shannon!

After refuelling we made our way to Cork, checked in to our hotel, checked out Kinsale and the Guinness and waited for our fellow kendoka to join us.

The next choice was either Ji-geiko on the Friday evening and then a Chinese meal or a longer Chinese meal, the vote was split some opted to train others opted to eat and drink!!! For those of you who have not been to Cork it is a very pleasant city, very friendly and hospitable but I do feel the owner of the Chinese Restaurant [Lucky choice] would have preferred if his staff had charged us just a little bit more for the large drinks bill!

After that it was off with our tame cab driver Joe (his family are eternally grateful to the life they now lead courtesy of Kodokan taxi fares! [Good choice for them]) for a night cap and a not so early night ready for our competition on Saturday.

Up early on Saturday, refreshed and full of enthusiasm (well Irish bacon) a small number of diehards arrived early at the Mardyke Centre, the venue of the Irish Open and International Goodwill Tournament, to cheer on Mr John Bates, unfortunately although John holds an Irish passport he isn’t a member of the Irish Kendo Association so he wasn’t allowed to compete [So No choice], still this gave us all experience of assisting in time keeping and scoring!

In the afternoon Kodokan entered four teams in the Goodwill Tournament (by far the largest represented Dojo in the competition). We competed in round robin groups each team getting a minimum of two matches. After a number of wins, draws and losses all Kodokan teams were eliminated before the latter stages of the competition. After the competition there was 45 minutes ji-geiko for the enthusiastic!

Saturday evening found us in a very nice Italian restaurant followed by a bar where we tried, and liked, the local tipple! [Choice, Choice]

Sunday dawned with a pre grading seminar with Yanai Sensei and Holt Sensei reinforcing kata techniques and kiri kaeshi using big cuts.

Having finished our seminar we moved quickly into grading for Ikkyu. There were 6 kendoka grading, all who were successful including myself for Ikkyu, Shodan for Carl Ranger and Tristan ( I have forgotten the way to the dojo) Howe.

Then came the Ni Dan’s including a very successful Lesley Molloy and BIG time commiserations to John Bates, next one.. No problemo…

So congratulations to all! After the grading it was back to the airport and checking in was interesting: some were overweight, some had booked onto the wrong flight and others were late arriving, but all in all it was a very happy but very tired team who landed at Stansted airport on Sunday evening.

Thanks to all for a very enjoyable weekend [Choice event…]

Dublin next year – cannot wait!

The participants were Sensei Paul Budden, Kazuyo Matsuda, Lesley Molloy, John Bates, Simon Boyd, Toby Corrie, Tryston Howe, James Caulfield, Carl Ranger, Teresa Thorp, Adrian Wagstaff, Steve (Do I really need Shinai to compete?) Norton.

Adrian Wagstaff.