Sunday July 29th

It was day two of the All-Japan Championships at Yoyogi National Gymnasium today.  All of the junior finals took place in the morning and the seniors underway at around noon.


Some of the Hombu Dojo seniors warming up


It was interesting to see that Nagaki Sensei didn't participate.  I will have to enquire to see what the story was!  He did have his ankle heavily strapped in the dojo last week, so this may have something to do with it.  I hope he's not retired yet!  Makita Sensei and Matsue Sensei didn't compete either.  I'm guessing that they have probably retired.  I last saw them compete at the All-Japan's in 2009.  So as a recent graduate of the instructor's course and defending kumite champion... it was looking as if a lot of weight was going to be on the shoulders of Kai Sensei.

He got off to a flyer in his first two fights.  Finished both of them within twenty seconds.  His third fight was a little bit more difficult.  It went to extra time and he just managed to pull it off.  It took a lot out of him I think.  Kai Sensei went on to win his preliminary section, as did Hidioshi Kagawa Sensei (kenshusei), Watanabe Sensei (kenshusei) and a Teikyo student made up the final four.  Both Kai, Hidioshi and Watanabe were beaten early in the kata section.  Kai Sensei was unlucky in my opinion but Hidioshi and Watanabe were way off the mark.  I thought that this was strange.... until I saw their kumite!!  Both Hidioshi and Watanabe were on fire!  So sharp!  They both fought each other in a very tight semi-final... It went to extra time... It was interesting to see Hidioshi look towards his Dad (Kagawa Sensei) on a couple of occasions during the fight!  Kagawa Sensei had to be seen to be impartial but you could see him involuntarily shouting out and encouraging his son!  Nice to see.  It must be massive pressure on Hidioshi's shoulders.  Watanabe just about edged the fight and Hidioshi exited.  I think he left it behind him!

Both Watanabe and Kai Sensei's fought in the final.  You could sense the crowd urging on Kai Sensei... But he just seemed to lack ideas and Watanabe was so sharp.  Watanabe Sensei won 4-1 in the end... there was an air of disbelief around Yoyogi!  I can't help but wonder what the reaction to this result will be in the Hombu Dojo.  A trainee instructor beats the flag bearer and recent instructors course graduate!  I can't help but think that there might be repercussions for this.  Will somebody be on the end of a beating in the near future?  Hmmm...!

Teikyo University ruled the roost in men's kata.  They had a 1-2-3 finish.  Watanabe Sensei (instructor's course graduate) and Okamoto Sensei (kenshusei) battle it out for top place in kata.  It was a fantastic final with both Sensei's putting in inspiring performances.  Okamoto Sensei prevailed in the end with a higher score which included a couple of 9.9's!

I'm looking forward to getting back in the dojo tomorrow evening.  There's no training scheduled for tomorrow morning.  The instructor's will probably need a rest after the weekend's activities!  Picture below of my dinner this evening and a couple below of my small, modest apartment in Nippori!



Very nice sweet and sour pork