On the 24th of May 2024, the UK Armed Forces Martial Arts Association Kendo team attended the British Kendo Association’s Masters Taikai (tournament) at Loddon Valley Leisure in Earley near Reading. This tournament currently functions as the de-facto National Kendo Team Championships and brings together the top practitioners from across the United Kingdom. This year’s competition featured 20 five-person teams including several current and former internationals and provided an opportunity for the UK Armed Forces to test their mettle at a National standard event.
The team comprised Leading Hand Toby Nolan RN, Lance Corporal Nirajan Magar QGS, Staff Sergeant Bhim Limbu REME, Major Chris Jones RAMC, and Major John O’Neill AGC (RMP). The squad had a breadth of experience with Leading Hand Nolan and Major Jones being the first (and only) Kendo practitioners across the Royal Navy and Army respectively to have achieved 4th Dan, and Lance Corporal Magar and Staff Sergeant Limbu remaining relative novices as Kyu grade fighters. Irrespective of their experience and grading, the entire team performed exceptionally.
Having conducted a pre-training day at the Army Combat Centre on the 23rd of May under Army Head Kendo Coach Major Jones, the team began their campaign with the aim of escaping the pool stages of the competition. This initial hurdle was achieved with the team progressing as pool runners-up, securing hard-earned victories against teams from Kings College London and Hizen Dojos. This was an achievement in itself and replicated the UK Armed Forces’ performance at the 2022 Bowden Cup. In the first stages of the knock-out rounds the team defeated University College London, prior to winning on points difference in a close match against Birmingham. The team’s progression came to an end in the semi-finals, losing out to an exceptionally strong team from eventual winners Wakaba.
This was truly a day to remember for UK Armed Forces Kendo. Reigning Inter-Services Champion Leading Hand Nolan led the charge with vigour and set conditions for success as the team’s opening fighter; he was followed by Lance Corporal Magar who performed incredibly given that this was his first ever Taikai; Major Jones arguably produced the team’s performance of the competition, quelling the unrelenting advances of Birmingham’s Jodan (high guard) fighter in the final fight of the Quarter Finals to lead the team into the Semis; and Staff Sergeant Limbu’s fighting spirit saw him securing numerous critical draws and a two-nil victory in the knock-out stages with a superb Kote (wrist strike) and Men (head strike).
The team’s efforts saw their taking Bronze in the competition, a result that absolutely exceeded expectations and was resultant from the commitment, determination and fighting spirit exhibited by all fighters. This is only the second time that the UK Armed Forces have medalled in a civilian competition (the last being in 2012) and is the first time ever at a National tournament.
The result is indicative of the excellent progress being made across the UK Armed Forces in its talent development and increasing uptake of Kendo as a sport. As the sporting embodiment of traditional Japanese swordsmanship, it is an excellent vehicle for developing fitness, discipline, and fighting spirit. Across the last twelve months the UK Armed Forces has seen its contingent of Dan grades doubled, a further three instructors qualified, and a fully subscribed attendance by civilian Dojos at the Army’s Invitational competition.
The upcoming Inter-Services competition will provide another opportunity to showcase the rapidly developing standard of Kendo across the Armed Forces, and an opportunity for each of the Services to contest for bragging rights across the Team, Individual and Kata competitions.
