The 2021 RKC Winter Championships was intended to be an internal-dojo competition to allow our RKC members to experience a competition vibe after almost 18 months of no Kendo competitions dues to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, after some consideration, it was decided that these championships will be opened up to the other dojo members of the South African Kendo Federation (SAKF) and their members so as to help kick-start the competition scene in South Africa again!
As of writing though, the dreaded "3rd Wave" of COVID-19 infections has been declared and it will be up to us to ensure that strict COVID-19 safety protocols are followed prior to the event to ensure the safety of all participants. Currently, under the South African lockdown level 1 rules, our event may continue under the following conditions:
Pre-screening and registration to take place before entering the dojo (the hall of the Rivonia Sports Club);
Sanitize regularly using your own sanitizers or the sanitizers provided by the sports club and/or the dojo;
Wear proper masks at all times both while waiting to compete, as well as when it is your time to compete. Please be sure to wear an APPROPRIATE mask or tengui under your MEN if you are required to be in full bogu (armour);
As an added precaution, kindly insert a plastic mouth shield into your MEN if you are taking part in bogu. Please note that this is OPTIONAL, but is highly recommended. These will be on sale on the day if required;
Adequate social distancing MAY not be an option as the hall night be rather crowded on the day. However, all doors, windows and fans will be opened to ensure maximum ventilation. It will be COLD, therefore, please bring appropriate warm clothing and socks to stay warm on the day;
NO spectators will be allowed, however the even will be streamed live on YouTube. Kindly refer to the RKC's YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgD2LT8BvYAbfriDsIwMbwQ
The Provisional Agenda for the day is:
7h00 - Hall Preparation
8h00 - Registration Opens
8h30 - Opening Ceremony
8h45 - Non-Bogu Team Competition Starts
9h30 - Rivonia Karate Club demonstration
9h45 - Kendo Kids Competition Starts
10h15 - Kendo Kids Awards Ceremony
10h30 - RKC Iaido demonstration
10h45 - In-Bogu Up to 1st Dan Team Shiai Starts
12h45 - In-Bogu 2nd Dan & Up Team Shiai Starts
14h00 - Awards & Closing Ceremony
NB: Except for Mochidachi’s for the “Non-Bogu Team Competitors”, kindly leave all bogu in the car until 10am. Thereafter, the Karate Dojo will be available for all to put their gear in that section of the hall.
EVENT ADDRESS: Rivonia Sports CLub, 47 Achter Road, Paulshoff, JHB
The following details pertain to the various competitions on the day:
Kendo Kids Competition
Children aged 6- 11 year olds;
Will perform individual Kirikaeshi against each other (2 at a time);
3x Shimpan will score each match;
Shimpan pool to be dojo leaders;
Score criteria:
Big Cuts
Fast Feet
Loud Voices
Staff Requirements:
3x Shimpan
1x Competition Referee (to control the matches)
2x Floor-managers to co-ordinate the fight schedule and necessary competitors around.
2x Mochidachi in full bogu
Non-Bogu Team Competition
Age 11 and up; Has not been in bogu; or has only been in bogu for less than 3 months
Team of 3 members. Teams will be “randomised” prior to the event and could comprise of a mixture of members from each dojo.
The event will consist of a selection of tasks that must be undertaken by the team - 1 member per task!
These tasks could be: 1) Haya Suburi; 2) Kirikaeshi; 3) Uchikomi-Keiko 4) Renzuku Wazza 5) Suburi.
Tasks will be randomly selected before each match, thereafter, teams will select which team member will perform which task.
Motodachi’s in full bogu will be required. Will request that all members of 3rd, 4th, 5th Dan to please make themselves available as motodachi.
2 teams will compete at the same time. For the purpose of time-saving, there can be 2 shiai-jo’s operating at the same time for the pool rounds. (i.e. 4 teams competing at the same time).
Shimpan will be from the pool of 1-3 Dan participants.
Scoring criteria:
Skill
Stamina
Spirit
Staff Requirements:
3x Shimpan per shiai-jo (6x Shimpan if 2x Shiai-Jo)
1x Scorekeeper per shiai-jo (2x Scorekeeper if 2x Shiai-Jo)
1x Competition Referee (to control the matches)
2x Floor-managers to co-ordinate the fight schedule and necessary competitors around.
4x Mochidachi
In-Bogu Up to 1st Dan Team Shiai
Team of 3 members. Teams will be “randomised” prior to the event and could comprise of a mixture of members from each dojo.
Only 1x 1st dan/1st Kyu per team. The rest of the team will be randomly selected.
The matches will be done in accordance with the FIK Shiai rules, AS WELL AS the temporary FIK rules that are in place due to the pandemic.
ALL fights will be max. 3-mins long.
Encho will be an additional 3 mins, per fight from the KO Rounds onwards.
Shimpan will be from the pool of 2-5 Dan participants.
Additional Staff Requirements:
2x Scorekeeper
1x Time Keeper
1x Announcer
2x Floor-managers to co-ordinate the fight schedule and necessary competitors around.
In-Bogu 2nd Dan & Up Team Shiai
Team of 3 members. Teams will be “randomised” prior to the event and could comprise of a mixture of members from each dojo.
Each team will consist only of 1x 4th or 5th dan member. The rest of the team will be randomly selected.
The matches will be done in accordance with the FIK Shiai rules, AS WELL AS the temporary FIK rules that are in place due to the pandemic.
ALL fights will be max. 3-mins long.
Encho will be an additional 3 mins, per fight from the KO Rounds onwards.
Shimpans will be from the pool of 2-5 Dan participants who are NOT COMPETING IN THAT POOL and will be adjusted as the competition progresses.
Additional Staff Requirements:
2x Scorekeeper
1x Time Keeper
1x Announcer
2x Floor-managers to co-ordinate the fight schedule and necessary competitors around.
Other:
DOJO’s TO BRING THEIR CLUB BANNERS, SHIMPAN FLAGS & RIBBONS
FOOD & DRINKS Available at the RSC Bar & Kitchen! Please support them!
SHINAI SALE ON THE DAY (Credit Card facilities available!)
Final entries to be in by Wednesday, 19 May 2021
TEAM DRAWS will take place Monday, 24 MAY 2021 @ 10am and will be (BROADCASTED LIVE via YouTube & RECORDED)
Prizes sponsored by members of the South African Kendo Federation (SAKF), Rivonia Kendo Club (RKC) and KENDO STAR (www.kendostar.com).
HAVE LOTSA FUN!
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The Rivonia Kendo Club (RKC) train the traditional Japanese martial arts of Kendo and Iaido (sword-based martial arts), as well as Jodo(the art of the short staff/stick), that encourages the cultivation of the human character.
Please follow us on our various social media platforms:
Website: www.rivoniakendo.co.za
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RivoniaKendo
Instagram: @rivonia_kendo_club
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9UWDOR8p9eCLsrw1nuSZA
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