Kendama Competition in Guam

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The Consulate-General of Japan at Hagåtña co-sponsored the Kendama Competitions together with the Guam Nikkei Association (GNA) at the Guam Premium Outlet in July and August. Mr. Hiroyuki Yano, Vice-president of the Japan Kendama Association (JKA), Kendama-do 7 Dan, came to visit Guam all the way from Japan at the invitation of GNA and demonstrated his professional skills. Mr. Yano Kindly taught participants and presented them with certificates indicating that they have successfully met the qualifications of their individual Kendama ranking. He also visited Guam Japanese School and performed Kendama techniques in front of all the students on July 14. Every Saturday, Kendama elimination matches and clinics were held and a total of approximately 1,000 people participated in the event.

 

In the presence of Mr. Takeshi Nakanishi, Managing Director of JKA , about 30 Kendama enthusiasts who won the preliminary matches competed in the final round according to the age group (8-12, 13-16, 17-25, over 26) on August 30. The participants performed their acrobatic techniques and showed the depth of Kendama-Do. It turns out astonishingly that there are so many Kendama players on Guam. The participants expressed their desire to deepen their Kendama camaraderie by possibly holding regular Kendama exhibitions and to work closely with the Japan Kendama Association.

 

 

Fantastic performance of Vice-president Yano (July 12)

 

 

Vice-president Yano visited Japanese School (July 14)

 

 

Managing Director Nakanishi and the final contest (8 to 12 years old) (August 30)

 

 

The final contest (13 to 16 years old)

 

 

The final contest (17 to 25 years old)

 

 

Managing Director Nakanishi, members of Guam Nikkei Association and the award winners (26 years old and above)