The country’s top players, rising stars and newcomers take the spotlight once again as the 7th Philippine National Kendo Tournament (PNKT) gets going Oct. 25 to 26, at Gameville Ball Park, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City.
The annual competition lures 145 practitioners from different parts of the country as they vie for glory, while showcasing their skill, discipline and unity.
Fielding entries to the event are Cebu (Cebu Kendo Club), Davao (Davao Kendo Club, Davao Kenyukai, and Davao Yushinkai), Metro Manila (IGA Kendo Club and Metro Kendo Club), Bacolod (Negros Shiseikan Kendo Club), and Angeles City (Tiger Kendo Club).
Under the supervision of the United Kendo Federation of the Philippines (UKFP), the two-day meet, which previously held its 6th iteration in Davao City, aims to boost the sport’s popularity as well as strengthen the relationship among local and international communities.
With a commitment of abiding global standards of practice, foreign referees from Japan, Korea, Australia, the United States, and other ASEAN countries will officiate the matches.
Beyond competition, the PNKT highlights the spirit of keiko—continuous learning and self-improvement. It provides a venue for practitioners of all levels to test their skills, share experiences, and uphold the values of respect, perseverance, and integrity that define the martial art. This is further emphasized through the shinsa (official grading) that will take place as part of the event, where 110 candidates will attempt to get promoted to higher ranks. This is the UKFP’s largest shinsa since the initial one in 2022.
This year’s tournament also reflects the Philippines’ growing role in regional Kendo activities, with the preparations underway for the next ASEAN Kendo Tournament to be hosted by the country in 2028. Events like the PNKT continue to build a strong foundation for Filipino kendoka to excel both locally and abroad.
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