NZ takes on Australia in Sword Fight test match

January 18, 2012

Media Release

NZ takes on Australia in Sword Fight test match (Jan 28/29)

The Rugby World Cup may be over, but next weekend punters can see the National Kendo teams from NZ and Australia battle it out in a series of three Trans-Tasman test matches.

Kendo, or Japanese fencing, requires practitioners to wear approximately eight kilos of armour while fighting with long bamboo swords that mimic the fighting styles of early Samurai. Kendo is a martial art practiced throughout the world and a highlight is the World Kendo Championships held every three years.

This year the 15th World Championships will be held in Novara, Italy and as a preliminary test of skill, an inaugural Trans-Tasman Kendo competition between top players from both countries will be held in Auckland on January 28 and 29th at the Tamaki Recreation Centre in Glen Innes.

“Although Kendo has been practiced in both countries for more than 35 years, this is the first time we have had a formal series of matches between male and female world class players from both countries,” says NZ team coach Alex Bennett.

The Trans-Tasman test series will involve three male and three female team matches of 5 players. A winning team will score the most wins in the matches or the most points. If they are equal after five matches the teams choose their best player for a one point ‘kill’ match. The overall winner will be awarded the Trans-Tasman Plastron. “In three years time the Kiwi team will visit Australia to keep the Trans-Tasman competition a triannual challenge,” says Bennett.

Kendo is marked by loud screams and dynamic forward cuts and parries. Members of the public are welcome to attend the matches which will be from 11am Saturday and 9am Sunday.

Bennett, himself is something of a legend. He holds a Phd from Kyoto University in Japanese history focussing on Japanese Bushido (Way of the Warrior), and is the first person in NZ to reach 7th level black belt. He has represented NZ in seven previous World competitions and is optimistic about New Zealand’s chances. “The Ozzies have done pretty well in previous World matches, but we are not far behind,” he says, “having a chance to compete at this level is a chance to improve our technique and experience before taking on other countries in the Worlds in May.”

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