On Saturday the 20th of September the 2008 Interstate Challenge (Nationals) took place again in New South Wales, and what a long day it was. From Sunrise to Sunset various competitions took place on the one mat in the Takebushi Dojo. The majority of competitors turned up to the Dojo between 8:00-8:30am to help set up ready for the tournament. The bow in began at 9:00am and with 27 competitors on the mat shoulder to shoulder it was sure to be a long and memorable day. As usual, the Teams Event kicked the day off with Victoria and New South Wales contesting for the interstate prize. After the Teams Demonstration Events both states were nearly tied with a one point difference favouring VIC (58.5 vs. 57.5). The Treble contesting began with a burst of adrenaline which saw the Dojo’s first Chui of the day being awarded within the first 20 seconds of the very first match. After the competitors got their nerves back together there was some great spirit and skill being shown from both states. The Trebling decided the final outcome of the Interstate Challenge with NSW scoring a 51 over VIC’s 27. This then concluded the Teams Event with NSW as the winner of the 2008 Interstate Challenge with a close score of 108.5 to 85.5.

The day moved on to other events such as Junior Breakfalling and Junior/Intermediate/Open Kata and Weapons Kata. In the words of Soke;

“It’s always good to see a lower grade beat the higher grades”

This was proven by a mauve belt Junior (Mel) in the unarmed Kata and by a mauve belt Senior (Nick) in the Weapons Kata. Nick also went on to impress the competitors by taking home the 2008 Nationals Bushido Award.

In the Treble contesting the Juniors showed a lot of strong competition which resulted in the winner getting some public recognition in our local newspaper. The Intermediates proved to be fierce again this year with ANOTHER lower grade taking everyone out for the win, which resulted in a mauve vs. green match where the mauve eventually out manoeuvred the green. The Senior Trebling went for over an hour and half with intense competition on the mat and also intense for those watching. A few smiles and a bit of sizing up had the Seniors doing some good Ippons and quick submissions. There was also a lot of strong spirit being thrown around the mat with competitors challenging existing/new injuries and those with on going hardships.

Once everyone was kitted up ready for the Weapons Kumite (Intermediate and Senior) it was hard to tell who was who and it showed as competitors bashed away at each other, withering their opponent down one limb at a time to gain any advantage they could until the clock ran out. This

was the first year that the Weapons Kumite was a National Event and taken beyond that of the Interstate Challenge. The competitors had a great time, learned some new skills, and with some quick on/off mat interchanging and equipment swapping it ran very smoothly.

The only regret on the day was the lack of participation/support from higher grade students resulting in the Advanced Division (2nd Kyu – 3rd Dan) being withdrawn. This later caused Sensei Peter McCormack to be forced down a division in the Weapons Kumite which he then inevitably went on to win.

I would like to give a huge THANK YOU to Sensei Graeme Dunning NSW for hosting the Nationals and for opening up his home to all 27 competitors afterwards for their sorrow drowning. Also a THANK YOU to all the students who partook in judicial duties on the day, as without enough judges the Nationals wouldn’t run. And finally another huge THANKS to all the competitors (especially QLD) for making the effort to travel to NSW and stamp your authority within the association. It’s always good to see you - Takebushi Dojo NSW