First Interregional Kyudo-Tournament in Saint-Petersburg
The First Interregional Kyudo Tournament (Traditional Japanese Archery) and preceding to it Saint-Petersburg-Moscow United Kyudo Workshop took place in Saint-Petersburg on 22-23 of June 2013. The event was initiated, organized and conducted by the Regional Public Organization “Saint-Petersburg Federation of Traditional Kyudo” within the from-now-on-annual-campaign White Nights “Kyudo-Style”. The Direction of Saint-Petersburg division of The Russian Union of Martial Arts (RUMA) encouraged the initiative and decided to promote this event in future.
Council general of Japan in Saint-Petersburg, Mr. Yoshihiro Yamamura together with Vice Consul of Japan in Saint-Petersburg, Mr. Takahiro Mizuno have attended the solemn opening ceremony. The Russian Union of Martial Arts (RUMA) was represented by Vice President of National Council of Aikido Russia (NCAR), President of International Euro-Asian Aikido Federation (IEAAF) and President of All-Style Federation of Russia, Founding father of “Lenkai” Martial Arts Club - Mr. Kiselev S.V.
For guests and participants of the seminar were organized demonstrations. Representatives from various organizations and clubs were displaying their skill: RPO “Saint-Petersburg Federation of  Traditional Kyudo”, Martial Arts Club “Seidokan” (Director – Mr.Kulakov S.V.), Traditional Karate-do School “Tokukai” (Direction – Mr. Netchiporenko M. Y., Ms. Morozova Y.V.)
The President of the Interregional Public Organization “Kyudo Federation”,  Mr.Akimov O.G. (5th Dan Kyudo) and Ms. Akimova E.S. (3th Dan Kyudo, Champion of Europe 2011) who are were invited to participate in the tournament and United workshop, held a presentation of the first book about Kyudo in Russia and closed up with their demonstration of The Art of Kyudo.
At the end of the official part of the Opening Ceremony, representatives of friendly Clubs and Honored Guests of the Event were awarded with Gratitude and Commemorative Pennants.
In addition, by the decision of the Presidential Council of the Regional Public Organization “St. Petersburg Federation of Traditional Kyudo”, as a sign of deep respect and sincere friendship, representatives of the Consulate General of Japan in St. Petersburg were given the “Certificate of Honorary Member of the Federation” in the name of Mr. Ichiro Kawabata, who was one of the first to support the development Kyudo in St. Petersburg and contributed in every way to this process during his tenure as Consul General of Japan in St. Petersburg (2009 - 2012).
The opening ceremony ended with Traditional Japanese tea-drinking, organized by the Tea Art studying club “Cha-no-Yu” (Urasenke-ryu). The director of the club, Ms. Burmistrova N.P. described the mystery and aspects of ceremony so everyone could enjoy Japanese tea and also taste some traditional Japanese sweets.
Saint-Petersburg citizens were lucky with the weather during tournament days. Since the skies were clear the tournament took place outdoors, on the grass lawn ground of “Dynamo” stadium, which is, by the way, has always been the only target archery training place of Saint-Petersburg. Famous in the sports society archers – multiple medalists of International and Russian Target Archery Championships have also visited First Interregional Tournament. Among them was Ms. Nikitina Polina, Champion of International Summer Universiade 2011 along with Mr.Fedosov Vladimir, Multi champion, recordsman of Russia, Silver medalist of World Target Archery Championship 2009.
As a special honored guest of this event was invited Coach of Russian sports winners, Head Coach of Target archery division of Top Sportsmanship Comprehensive School (TSCS), Master of Sports, a Person who dedicated 40 years of his life for Archery – Mr. A.Yalishev High Technology achievements which are used nowadays in modern sport bows were vividly introduced to the guests by Mr. Yalishev. In turn, Vladimir Fedosov impressed the guests with a series of accurate shots from a block bow from a distance of 50 m.
The second part of the First event day was fully related to Combined Workshop, which was supposed to precede the tournament in order to let participants to prepare and get acquainted with specific competitive timing (Kyogi no maai), judging system and tournament policy. Our colleagues from Moscow - IPO “Kyudo Federation” representatives, Mr.Akimov O.G. (5th Dan Kyudo) and Ms.Akimova E.S. (3th Dan Kyudo) admirably managed these preliminary actions.
Having a vast experience participating in the tournaments of International level and periodic holding of Tournament, Mr. Akimov and Mr.Akimova shared their skills and wisdom, answering the questions and, at the same time, correcting technique, if required, analyzed every Kyudoka movement, posture and its order in the ritual.
The first workshop day ended by practice shooting on a distance of 28 (Kinteki) and 60 (Entki) meters respectively.
All together more than a 30 people partook in the Workshop. Some of them, who encountered Kyudo for the first time, were also able to make their first shot using Yumi (Traditional Japanese longbow) under the guidance of the experienced instructor.
The second event day was solely dedicated for the tournament contest. Balloting, 6 multiregional teams were formed, 3 member each. 16 arrows were shot (4 rounds, 4 arrows each).
Hereunder referred to Winning places in team classification:
The 1-st place : 
Mavrin A.A. (Cherepovets), Akimova E.S. (Moscow), Moshenkov E.L. (St-Petersburg)
The 2-d place:   
Khusainov R.S. (St-Petersburg ), Badul’kina G.A. (St-Petersburg),  Korolev O.N. (Cherepovets)
The 3-rd place :  
Leonov A.D. (St-Petersburg), Lazo S.N. (St-Petersburg), Nurgaliev V.R. (St-Petersburg)
Straight after the team contest had ended an individual competition started, where 19 Kyudoka got involved. 16 arrows also were shot here (4 rounds, 4 arrows each). In situation where both final contestants’ scores are the same – additional arrows are shot. The winner is the one whose arrow hit closer to the center of target.
Medalists of Individual trial for competition:

1. Moshenkov E.L. (Saint-Petersburg)
 
2. Akimov O.G. (Moscow)
 
3. Antyufeeva A.O. (Saint-Petersburg)
In the very end of the tournament event medalists of both individual and team classification were given diplomas, medals and cups. Every participant received a commemorative pennan.
The First Interregional Kyudo Tournament was attended by representatives from Cherepovets city (Vologodskaya region), Severomorsk city (Murmanskaya region), Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.
One of the tasks set by the organizers of the event - foster the conditions for the pooling of interests and efforts Kyudo-Russian Organizations to jointly develop Kyudo community.
We truly hope that the mood of conducted event genuinely made it possible to reach the desired goal and in the meantime that the participants in the context of informal atmosphere could share experience and improve their skill and technique.
RPO “Saint-Petersburg Federation of Traditional Kyudo” shows its appreciation and gratitude to all who managed to respond to invitation and participated in The First Interregional Kyudo Tournament. Therefore it should be mentioned for these who are interested or keeping watch over the process of Russian Kyudo development – Saint-Petersburg has always been and still remains a hospitable city, ready for cooperation and partnership, organizing multiple various amicable meetings, tournaments, workshops and seminars, which, for sure, includes Kyudo sphere as well. We make no doubt that event that occurred will serve as a foundation stone for originating for Russia new Kyudo-tradition. We are looking forward to meet every single attendee of The First Interregional Kyudo Tournament which took place within an event White Nights “Kyudo-Style” 2013 in the next years.