It so happened that I managed to drag my ass to meet 400+ of my dearrest
friends with the meaning of bunching and kicking each other! We are of
course talking about the only-in-four-years-or-so event European Taikai
of Shorinji Kempo, my chosen martial art.
After 7 years of no taikai, I am back! This time Berlin, Germany for the 10th European Taikai seeing 400+ friends from all over the world! Feeling pretty amazing. My last taikai was indeed European Taikai in Stockholm, Sweden 2019 and of course after that Covid and life happened... I gave birth to our youngest son, who is now 5 years old. Time flies!
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I am going to do the old fashioned Taikai blog coverage of the days that I attended, because many of you have said you enjoyed them and also so we would remember these precious moments after years and years.
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On previous taikais in this blog you might enjoy reading some of my blogs:
2019 Shorinji Kempo European Taikai in Stockholm
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Other taikais over the years since I begin training at the year of 2000:
2011 Shorinji Kempo European Taikai in Monaco (did not attend due to Alexander's birth)
2009 Shorinji Kempo World Taikai in Bali (cancelled due to threats)
2007 Shorinji Kempo European Taikai in Norcia Italy (attended, no blog)
2005 Shorinji Kempo World Taikai in Fukui (did not attend, i was a student back then)
2003 Shorinji Kempo European Taikai in Paris (attended, but no blog)
2001 Shorinji Kempo World Taikai in Paris (attended, but no blog)
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On Saturday morning, we had a bit of a re-call to Japan 2013, in the form of a tropical rain hitting Berlin while we were transfering from the Taikai hotel Estoril to our sports hall in Neukölln, Berlin.
The greatest thing about Shorinji Kempo is that it is a hobby that will always take you back, whatever age, what ever physical condition!
As usual, they were looking for a flag bearer from each country, so this time I got the honor - I remember doing it in the past, but no idea which year, which Taikai.
We also had some other friendly faces in the mix, looking at Jess, Leif and Midalski to name a few. After some search, Jörg also managed to find Yoshi sensei to carry the American flag!
There is no way to express how great it feels to see all of you friends again!
It was also great to see Aosaka sensei, now 80 years old but still very much in action.
The organising branch from Berlin I of course know personally already from many many years ago! Great to see you, great to connect.
Yoshi sensei had arrived all the way from California to once again translate and of course to enjoy time with many many faces of friends.
My one minute of representing Finland went very fast:)
After Chinkon and minimal ceremonies, we kicked off the Embukai with women's Yudansha group at tatami 1.
This of course would have been the series which Kirsi and I would have attended, had she not been pregnant.
The group consisted of two pairs from Sweden as well as two pairs from Portugal. The Swedish 4th dan pair being of course our dear friends Lotta and Lovisa, who I think we already competed against in our very first embu back in 2007 in Norcia, Italy.
Lovisa had been been to a knee surgery this Spring, but of course it was obvious they would still win this category.
They told us that the embu had been 'changed' into a less acrobatics one, but you really could not tell the difference...
When you are the best in Europe, you are the best.
Some familiar faces in the judges...
As well as behind the organisation...
The audience was captivated.
After the first embu of the series, the judges gather to make a baseline. Usually the first embu should get about 80 points and then the rest will be judged around that one - either better or worse.
Someone asked whether it would make more sense to have 20 points scale because mainly the embu scores are always between 70-90.
The Portugese girls were also feisty and gave the swedes run for their money.
But of course..
..They stand very little chance because the Swedes have years and years of background work.
After the women Yudansha, on the tatami 1, came Men & Mixed 3rd dan series.
Including some familiar faces. Like Julian and Daniel, who we remember the best for being with in the
Bon Odori - Nihonbare!
There was some impressive throws with the highest series.
And some questionable landings,,,
Our friends Eddie and Sven performed an embu too!
But the biggest competition was of course at the Male & Mixed 4th dan series.
You can make it look painful...
Denis knows how to twist your arm...
Obviously Hanna and Arnaud took home the gold for 4th Dan and above.
He sure know how to fly...
Finland not having any pairs in the competition, we can't help but support the Swedes!
Well, we of course cheer all our friends.
Like this amazing pair from Portugal...
..That swore 11 years ago that it is their last dance...
Still going strong Christina & Carlos!!!!
I believe it when I see it...
After the competitions, we got to watch the show...
The German federation had really pushed the boat out to entertain us.
Obviously no taikai without Taiko drum demonstrations! That looks like a very physical hobby.
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I really enjoyed the embukai watch from the bench this time. I think a big part of it was commentary with Oxford Branch <3. Thank you Jess & Steve for the company!
Demonstrations went from hokei to paired form and more interestingly even to shakujō. The techniques with bo stick, with a special end.
...And Appō, the pressure point techniques.
It was really inspiring to see all these competitors and organisers to still be able to give it all at the demonstrations.
Jan and Jörg working hard...
After demonstrations, it was time to celebrate the winners!
So happy for you guys! The embus looked great!
And the organisers had gotten the memo that people want to train also... Which is what we then did Saturday afternoon...
But not before I sneaked a selfie with Paul:)
Because we were 400+ people, obviously a second sports hall was needed to be able to train without all falling on top of each other... I was assigned to the group that got to walk to "EAST" hall first.
This was a refreshing 20mins walk in light rain. Good to catch up with friends!
The East hall was named "Sauna".
Which did not really bother us... Although people were getting a bit tired.
As usual at this point.
After 1,5h of training, Paul, Cliona and I cured the world on our walk to West hall.
...And this belive it or not, concluded Saturday training for us. I am doing a second blog about the party, so this is the end of this.
Disclaimer: As in a 400+ person event, I cannot ask everyone's permission for pubishing these pictures - please let me know if you want some picture of yourself removed.
After 7 years of no taikai, I am back! This time Berlin, Germany for the 10th European Taikai seeing 400+ friends from all over the world! Feeling pretty amazing. My last taikai was indeed European Taikai in Stockholm, Sweden 2019 and of course after that Covid and life happened... I gave birth to our youngest son, who is now 5 years old. Time flies!.jpeg)
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On previous taikais in this blog you might enjoy reading some of my blogs: .jpeg)
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