Thistle Cup 2009

On the 20^th June 2009, members of St Andrews Kendo Club participated in the annual Thistle Cup, held in Aberdeen. Here are some of their experiences.

Mark Bowker (Shodan): I have attained a new grade since last year’s Thistle Cup, and was unsure how that would affect my pairings. My first fight was against someone of a lower grade, and was pleased to win by two points, although I felt that the pressure of shiai made my kendo scrappy and inelegant.  My second fight was a surprise. I had expected to fight a member of Aberdeen club, who had recently returned from Japan. From his reaction after he lost his first fight, I think he also thought that it was a sure thing. The fight ended in confusion. Our shinpan conferred, and both my opponent and I were surprised when she was awarded not only the first point, but the match. Because the fight ended there, we agreed that the discussion must have been as to whether she had cut me before or after time was called. Again I did not think too much of my kendo in this fight, and had no problem losing to someone who performed much better. I have learned that I need to pay much more attention to my seme, to find and create openings rather than rushing in and failing. After numerous failed kote cuts, I know that something important is missing and will have to find out what that is.

Penny Crowe (Ikkyu): As the only STAKC representative in the Ladies competition, I was keen to do well, despite a 3 week lay off from training due to holidays.  At least I was well rested!  This year the ladies’ field was much bigger I think with something like 10 participating - it made it more of a competition I felt.  I faced 2 opponents in the first round, one form Edinburgh and one from Glasgow, and did well in my first fight, executing a Kote cut that scored and was enough to win me the bout.  My second fight didn’t go so well and I lost with 2 Men cuts going against me.  Failure to maintain centre and defend efficiently were my main problems, I think.

The Adult competition put me up against an Edinburgh Uni rep in the first round.  I felt I fought well, and managed to engineer my opponent stepping out of the court. However he quickly came back with a Kote that scored against me and it was all over. My only consolation I would say is that he was more out of breath than I was at the end so I think I gave him a good fight.

All in all an enjoyable event - the Jigeiko at the end was well worth it and I fought several people of different standards and clubs.  Yamazaki Sensei also took the trouble to try and sort out my errant men cutting and his advise and patience was much appreciated.

Ezra Macdonald (Ikkyu): Having gained some more experience since the last Thistle Cup, I was looking forward to improving on last year’s performance. The dojo was bright and airy, and the atmosphere spirited; the St Andrews’ contingent were also unusually well-dressed. I was even paired against someone my own height, which is rare – but my schemes were foiled by my own stupidity, as I failed to recognise the edge of the shiaijo, stepping out twice and conceding a penalty. I now know to be more careful. Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching the other fights, and the event as a whole was good fun.

Cameron McPherson (Mudan): As this years’ Thistle Cup was to be my first tournament, it was with a little trepidation that I entered the Sports Hall at Robert Gordon University, however my nerves soon settled after a vigorous warm-up led by Andy. Before the open competition commenced we had the opportunity to support Nic and Penny in the Junior and Ladies divisions respectively. The spirit showed by both of them (and a superb kote by Penny) certainly inspired my for my first fight. Unfortunately, I could not convert this inspiration into a valid cut, and the fight ended in hikiwake, which subsequently meant that my opponent won and moved into the next round. Whilst I was disappointed in my performance, hopefully I can use the knowledge I gained, both from my own fight and from watching others, for my upcoming grading. All in all, it was a great experience, and I definitely intend to enter next year.

Michael Gratzke (Sandan): It was a very interesting day for me, as I was asked to spend the day refereeing. Satoshi and Kristián from Edinburgh and later Satoshi from Cambridge were my team mates. The presence of a fifth dan helped to overcome initial nerves. Overall the refereeing went quite well and it was educational to watch fight after fight waiting for yoku-datotsu (valid strikes). Some strikes where completely convincing and all three flags went up instantaneously. More often than not, these were men strikes going forward. But especially in earlier rounds there were many fights in which only a lowering of expectations during encho (extra time) allowed for scores. If there is any advice to be given to participants, it would be to remember tame (composure before a strike) and seme (threat).
After shiai there was time for some jigeiko and the referees rushed to get into armour. I had the opportunity to fight Satoshi from Cambridge, Mr Young Park from Eurokendo and Yamazaki sensei. All three fights were hugely rewarding to me. In two encounters, I felt my kendo was coming together. In the fight with Young Park – on the other hand - everything fell to pieces because on the day I had no response to this more Korean style fighting which was physical and included many hard uchi-o-toshi.
Other highlights of the day included the good company, seeing StAKC members in their new club hoodies and a wonderful lunchbox prepared by Erika Seki.