2nd International Kendo Seminar in Costa Rica

In November 2009, eight members of the Gotokukan and Shotokukai Guatemala Kendo Clubs, along with senseis Enzo Marsicovetere, Pedro Velasquez y Carlos Campos; had the opportunity of being part of the 2nd International Kendo Seminar in Costa Rica. This Kendo Seminar was conducted by the Senseis Ciutoco Kogima 7th dan Kyoshi and Paulo Hayashi 7th dan Kyoshi, that represent the Brazilian Kendo Confederation.

In this Kendo Seminar not only we had the opportunity of sharing with our fellow Kenshis from Costa Rica, but also with the senseis members of the Brazilian Kendo Confederation, 6 members of our kendo clubs had the chance to perform their kendo examinations.

After the incredible Kendo Seminar organized by the Costa Rican Kendo Association, a small tournament was organized among the participants; where everyone had the chance to practice the Kendo Techniques learned at the Kendo Seminar.

In this occasion 3 members of Guatemala Kendo Gotokukan Club took the top 3 places followed by the kenshis from Costa Rica.

At the end of the Kendo Seminar activities, we headed towards a friendly dinner with all members from the Costa Rican Kendo Association and the Brazilian Kendo Confederation; where we had the opportunity to share experiences and hear stories from the Brazilian senseis.

This Kendo Seminar not only instructed and improved our Kendo knowledge, but also brought us together as fellow Guatemalan and Central American Kendokas. We expect to be part of activities of this kind in the near future.

We would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to the Costa Rican Kendo Association for this great invitation and hope we share again with them very soon.

We would like to contratulate 3 of the Gotokukan Kendo Club that passed their 1kyu examination.

- Marietta Vitola
- Dieter Haussner
- Ivan López

Also congratulations to the 3 first places at the friendly Taikai we had:

1st place Rodrigo Mussap
2nd place Dieter Haussner
3rd place Rocio Guzman