Members of Arkansas Kendo Club traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma to participate in the Tulsa Rensei Taikai and Shinsa, hosted by Tulsa Kendo Dojo.
The event was held over two days, with the team tournament (Taikai) on Saturday and promotion testing (Shinsa) on Sunday. The weekend provided an opportunity for members to compete, test, and continue their development alongside regional kendo practitioners.
Taikai (Saturday)
Arkansas Team #1 and Team #2 each competed in four matches while a player short.
Both teams demonstrated strong effort and teamwork throughout the day. While neither team placed, the matches provided valuable experience and an opportunity for continued growth.
Shinsa Results (Sunday)
The following members successfully passed their examinations:
- J. Sentany — 3 Kyu
- I. Weathers — 2 Kyu
- P. Choi — 2 Kyu
- J. Chen — 2 Dan
- Y. Spivey — 3 Dan
These results reflect their consistent training and commitment.
Message from Sentany Sensei:
Congratulations to all AKC members who passed their Shinsa and earned their new ranks!
This is a great milestone and a reflection of your hard work and commitment. Keep that same energy and excitement going—this is just the beginning of the next stage of your training.
For those who didn’t pass this time, keep your head up. Every attempt is part of the process, and progress comes from continued practice and reflection. Stay committed—your time will come.
We also had a team match the day before—while we didn’t place, it was a fun experience and a great opportunity to learn and grow together.
Let’s keep building from here. Good reiho, strong kiai!”
