Female Kendoka make History

Written by Kate Henry

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 14:15

Joret Olivier and Carle Joubert have made their names as the first two South African female kendoka fighters to represent their country in the history of the South African Kendo Federation, and will shortly be off to test their mettle at the 23rd European Kendo Federation (EKF) Championships in Debrecen, Hungary from April 9 – 11.

Kendo is the Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on the traditions and styles of the Samurai of old. Steeped in tradition, modern Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging sport practised by millions across the world.

The South African Kendo Federation’s (SAKF) open trials, held on 23 January at the Japanese School, Emmarentia, Johannesburg, offered both kendoka and spectators a chance to witness strong kendo in action. Those who performed well stood a chance at being selected for the national team that will represent South Africa.

While women continue to be in the minority in this sport, those that have taken armour and call themselves kendoka do not back down from any fight – no matter how big the opponent. Men, women, young and old, experienced and novice, it did not matter. All had an equal chance of showing their mettle on a day of tough kendo.

Though the casual spectator might be alarmed at the ferociousness of the players, whose war cries echoed through the hall, to actually score a point in kendo is quite a difficult feat. There are only a handful of legal strike points, namely the men (head), kote (wrist), do (side) and tsuki (throat). And simply striking your opponent will not do. To score in kendo, one must attack the target area with ki-ken-tai-itchi, combining sword, body and spirit and true zanshin (awareness). The first competitor to score two points in the allotted time-frame wins.

It was this strict criteria that saw some kendoka fail to acquire the much desired referee’s flag, while others moved through the early pool rounds, ready for the challenge of the knock-out round. Taking to the shaia-jo (court) were members from Rainbow Warriors Dojo (Witbank), Stellenbosch Kendo Club (SKC), San Kawa Kendo Dojo (Johannesburg), Ken Yu Kai Dojo (Johannesburg) and Mushin Dojo (Pretoria).

Joret Olivier (1st dan) gave a good showing as she locked shinais (bamboo swords) with 3rd dan Patrice Courteille, but the senior kendoka’s experience showed in the end as he won the match with a straight men (head) cut. Her next opponent, Merrick Kyle (1st kyu) found his early men (head) strike countered with Olivier’s own well-placed men (head) strike a few second later. Kyle’s well-timed final men (head) strike gave him the edge he needed to move on to the next round.

Stellenbosch University student Carle Joubert (2nd dan) was the only female kendoka to make it through to the semi-finals, having beating Merrick Kyle (1st kyu) in the quarter-finals. However, a strong attack from Lawrence Marshall (1st dan), levelling two straight, powerful men (head) cuts saw the young kendoka bow out as her opponent went on to fight in the finals.

The Ladies in the South Africa team for the EKF Championships:

Carle Joubert (2nd dan) of Maties Kendo Club in Stellenbosch

Joret Olivier (1st dan) of San Kawa Kendo Dojo in Johannesburg

* The ladies will compete in the individual championships

About the SAKF: The SAKF was formed in 1990. There are currently six dojos affiliated to the SAKF across the country in cities including Stellenbosch, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Witbank. For more information about Kendo in South Africa, please contact Warren Ho 082 389 9098, or visit the Kendo website.

Visit the EKC 2010 Hungary website for more information on the 2010 European Championships.