UniSport Australia – Statement regarding The Nationals Div 1 and Div 2 – Perth
Statement release: 5 May 2020

UniSport Australia (UniSport) will postpone the 2020 UniSport Nationals Div 1 and Div 2, which
were due to be hosted in Perth from 26 September to 2 October.

For more information go HERE

ODA, Katsuo sensei

Iaido Hanshi 8-Dan/Kendo Kyoshi 7-Dan

 7 January 1942 ~ 19 April 2020

It is with great sadness that the Australian Kendo Renmei (AKR) announces the passing of Oda Katsuo sensei on Sunday 19 April 2020.

Oda sensei’s first connection with Australia was in 1999 when he visited Australia with Nakanishi sensei as part of a team to run seminars around Australia in Kendo, Iaido and Jodo. The following year he visited Australia again, this time to assist Haga sensei in the running of the Iaido seminar at the AKR National Iaido and Jodo Seminar and Championships (AIJSC). At the National Council Conference of that same year (October 2000), Oda sensei was appointed as the Australian Iaido Technical Advisor. He attended all AIJSC events during this time and, despite retiring from this position in 2015, he continued to assist senior Iaido members with advanced training and advice for their examination attempts in Japan. Although he was in Australia specifically for the development of Iaido, he was also an accomplished Kendo practitioner who would also run Kendo trainings in Australia during his ‘time off’ from his Iaido commitments.

Oda sensei’s continuing influence, guidance and support for Australian Iaido and Kendo was profound and will never be forgotten. We are all very grateful for his dedicated help and great friendship and deeply saddened by his departure.

Rest in peace.

Announcement made: 15th March 2020

In light of the most recent announcement by the Prime Minister of Australia regarding mandatory quarantine for international travellers to Australia, and the increasing number of infections of COVID-19 within our national borders, the Australian Iaido Jodo Seminar and Championships (AIJSC) 2020 scheduled for late May have been cancelled. As with the previous announcement regarding the cancellation of the 45^th Australian Kendo Championships, the Australian Kendo Renmei’s (AKR) considerations are the same, the health and safety of its members and society at large.

Any registration and/or grading monies paid to the AKR by individuals will be fully refunded. Members will be informed of the mechanics and timeline which will be worked out between the AKR and the relevant boards.

It is envisaged that the next AIJSC will be held next year again in Queensland in 2021. This is under discussion at present and may change. Members will be informed once a decision is made.

The AKR apologises for any inconvenience caused by this decision, but it has been taken with due consideration of the health and safety of its members, their families, friends and close associates.

Stay safe.

Regards,

Stylianos (Stilts) Polichroniadis

President

Australian Kendo Renmei Inc.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the upcoming 45th Australian Kendo Championships, seminar and grading has been cancelled. Australian Kendo Renmei’s primary considerations are the health, safety and well-being of our members. 100% of the individual registration fees for 45th Australian Kendo Championships will be refunded. The refund will be processed within 2 weeks by the VKR. We apologise for any inconveniences that this decision has caused you however we have obligation to our members and broader society to make every attempt to contain the spread of the infection.

The next Australian Kendo Championships – the 45th Australian Kendo Championships in 2021, will be in Melbourne hosted by the VKR.

The AKR has announced that Ms Vivian Yung, Dr Kate Sylvester and Dr Brian Brestovac have been awarded AKR Life Membership.

Continue reading AKR Life Membership Awards

AKR congratulates the following members for passing their Renshi Examination on 27th November 2019.

Continue reading Shogo Awards 2019

Congratulations to Mr. Joachim Semmler (ACT) and Mr Songwon Chang (NSW) for achieving Kendo 6th Dan in Aichi, Japan (17th November 2019).

XVII Australian Masters Games Kendo Competition was held in Adelaide on Saturday and Sunday, 5 – 6 October 2019.

For full results see HERE.

2019 UniSport Nationals Div1 Kendo Competition, was held at Somerset College, Gold Coast on Saturday and Sunday, 28 – 29 September 2019.

Overall competition winner for both men’s and Women’s evens was University of Sydney. For full results see HERE.

The Kendo Board would like to announce the Australian WKC Coaching Team for the 18th World Kendo Championships 2021 in Paris, France:

Continue reading Announcement of Australian WKC Coaching Team for 18th WKC 2021