Irish International Open Taikai
@ Cork, Ireland. Jan 15, 2005
Photo 01-05 ... Photo 06-10 ... Photo 11-15 ... Photo 16-20 ... Photo 21-24
01.
This is the last major event I travelled to before I moved away from
the UK.
"Irish Open" is one of those "event package" where
in you'll have godo keiko, taikai and grading on the same weekend.
Together with all that air travel from London Stansted it is quite physically
demanding... so to speak.
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02.
Before the "International Goodwill Taikai" went the Irish
Nationals (team + individuals) before lunch.
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03.
There are so many of us from the UK flying over for this event. Helping
out at the courts - refereeing, or even time-keeping, score-boarding
and ribbon-tying - has became part of the training.
... that, or, some people will do anything for a sandwich coupon!!
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04.
After lunch it gets busier as people start warming-up for their 3-men
team event.
I did not go with a team but got picked by "Oxford B" last
minute and won a few flags up for the team.
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05.
This is meant to be a very nice photo of Hirai-sensei (just slighty
blurred).
He is one of the most interesting kendoka to watch in shiai, especially
because he fights in Jodan, and that I watched him since my Day 1 of
kendo at Japan Matsuri.
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