We hope everyone had a great summer and now ready to get back into the fall routine.
First of all, I want to thank all of you for all the good wishes during my recent surgery. My ankle fracture I sustained a year ago last August really prepared me for my total hip replacement in June. I am now able to do almost everything in moderation but still can’t do “seiza”.
To swing into fall and to thank all of you, we are going to have our “JUICE NIGHT” on Thursday, Sept. 20th, after practice. Teens are welcome!
This summer, we were all saddened to learn that Christian Monteith, who did Judo with his son, was in a tragic plane crash in Malawi, Africa. Claude Bourdeau also passed away suddenly last month in Cornwall. He trained many years ago at our dojo and was an excellent technician.
On a happier note, congratulations to Rejean Saunois who was married this spring in India and Dan Davies who tied the knot in June!
This year at the Senior Nationals in Trois Rivieres, bronze medals were won by Tony Walby and Jennifer Landry. Britt Quinlan and Ann Larouche placed second in Katame-no-Kata qualifying them to compete at the Pan Am Judo Championships in Montreal where a few weeks later, they won bronze medals in Katame-no-Kata. Congratulations!
After the competition, Ms. Kuniko Takeuchi, 7th dan, Kata Director of the Pan Am and USA Judo, came to Ottawa to instruct the key points and judging techniques in Nage-no-Kata, Katame-no Kata and Ju-no Kata. We are planning to have her back after the World Master’s in December.
A number of Kata competitions are coming up and as well, a Yudansha Exam is planned for March. Mr. Michio Fukushima, 8th dan from the Kodokan will be doing another seminar in January/ February.
Shiai notices will be posted on the Judo Ontario site and international competitions on the Judo Canada sites.
In KENDO, we are pleased to announce that in June, Mr. Mike Arai was promoted to the rank of 5th dan. Mr. Arai is the children’s Kendo teacher. Congratulation!.
We held two well attended judo summer camps in July and August. Thanks to the following experts for conducting sessions at our camps. Mike Arai for kendo, Brent Rockburn for aikido, Francois Beaulieu for weapons (bo and kali sticks) Sean Macfadyen for wrestling and Phil for mixed martial arts. Thanks to judo instruction from Nathalie Gosselin, Tony Walby, Catherine Biggs, Phil and his daughters. Christy Takahashi organized origami, Emi Takahashi organized the soccer and showed some hip hop, and Catherine Biggs spoke about nutrition. We also lucked out in the weather this year on our excursions to Westboro beach. Cindy Nhann and Holly Mosienko also volunteered their time to help.