Announcements/News

John Moon was promoted to 4 dan at the NCKF promotion test which was held on November 6th in San Jose. Moon sensei, congratulations on passing the 4 dan shinsa! It's great news for San Mateo Dojo, too. Many other San Mateo members were promoted to higher ranks. Congratulations! We've also received good news from our former instructor, Shiomi sensei, that he was promoted to 5 dan. Congratulations!

Great job in the individual and team matches at the NCKF 2022 Championship tournament which was held on October 23rd at Branham High School. Konopka Sensei won the silver medal in the 3 dan and up division. Lamberson won the bronze medal in the Adult Kyu division. Congratulations!

Konopka sensei was promoted to 5 dan at the AUSKF promotion test which was held on August 28th in Las Vegas. Congratulations on passing the 5 dan shinsa! It's great news for San Mateo Dojo, too.

San Mateo dojo members did a great job at Salinas Tournament which was held on July 31st. Konopka Sensei won third place medal in the 3 dan and up division. Congratulations!

We were informed of good news from our former instructors. They are continuing to practice kendo in Japan and won their tournaments. Harada sensei won 1st place in the senior individual division of Kanagawa prefecture Senior kendo tournament. Shiomi sensei won 2nd place in the 40 years+ individual division of Takarazuka City kendo tournament. Congratulations and thank you for letting us know!

We have good news from our former instructor, Kurashima sensei. He is continuing to practice kendo in Japan after 5 years at San Mateo kendo dojo and obtained 7 dan last year. He was one of the members of Team NCKF and contributed to their success at the AUSKF Championships. The kendo club, Koyo-dai Kendo-kai, which he belongs to now is located in Inagi-shi, Tokyo and the city became the sister city of Foster City this year. Other former instructors such as Harada sensei and Komuro sensei have also obtained 7 dan after going back to Japan. They were members of Team NCKF and achieved successes at the AUSKF Championships. Congratulations and thank you for letting us know! We are looking forward to practicing with you again.

San Mateo kenshi made a good start for the 2022 tournament season at San Jose Tournament on May 22nd at Leigh High School. Sarafina won 2nd place in non-bogu, 12 years and under. Isabella won 2nd place in non-bogu, 13 years and over. Ota sensei won 2nd place in the Senior division. Yuki won 2nd place in 11-13 years. Leo won 2nd place in 1D-2D. Congratulations! Keep practicing and compete with kenshi from other dojos again at the next tournament.