The Annual Interregional Friendly Kyudo Tournament in Saint-Petersburg
Once again during the White Nights 20-21st of June, 2015 in Saint-Petersburg in the context of the Festival “Japanese Spring 2015” it was held the Annual Interregional Friendly Kyudo Tournament White Nights “Kyudo-Style”.
The organizers of the event was Regional Public Organization “Saint-Petersburg Federation of the Traditional Kyudo” with a support of Saint-Petersburg Branch of “Russian Union of Martial Arts”. As a Honorary Guest of the Tournament from the General Consulate of Japan in Saint-Petersburg assisted the Substitute of the General Consul of Japan in Saint-Petersburg Mr. Akira Osawa.
The tournament was held in the Sports Complex “Dynamo” - at the traditional open space special area for Saint-Petersburg archers, with the organization participation of Regional Public Organization “Saint-Petersburg Federation of Archery”.
Mr. A.Osawa made a welcoming speech for participants and guests of the event and wished success in the honest competition and expressed the hope that the tradition of the summer Kyudo tournament in Saint-Petersburg would continue its development, and the capricious weather of Saint-Petersburg wouldn’t prevent to hold the tournament the proper level.
According to the established tradition, the Friendly Clubs of Martial Arts and the Culture of Japan were given the opportunity to perform the demonstration to the participants and guests of the event. The Representatives of the Club “Seidokan” (Head of the Club Mr. S. Kulakov) showed the art of sword-holding - Iaido.
In the end, the archers from Regional Public Organization “Saint-Petersburg Federation of the Traditional Kyudo” and Interregional Public Organization “Federation of Kyudo” demonstrated their skill.
The format of the event White Nights “Kyudo Style” provides for participation including beginners in practising Kyudo. This feature involves the conduction of appointed preparing part in the form of mini-seminar for beginners, which allows them to get acquainted with the rules if the competitions and with the characters of the Tournament shooting, and at the same time to give the ability for experienced archers to spend the adjustment at the competitive distance.
At the first day of the event it was held the Team Tournament. By the draw it was formed 5 teams, in each team - 3 people. The tournament distance - 28 metres (Kinteki). Every participant made 24 shots.
According to the results of the first day of the Tournament, the Winning Teams were determined:
1st Place: Martin Aleksander, Shumilin Vladislav, Isaeva Mariia
2nd Place: Zukova Diana, Ananyina Anna, Antyufeeva Anastasiia
3rd Place: Legeza Dmitrii, Khusainov Rustam, Tishina Liliia
At the second day it was held the Individual Tournament. The tournament distance - 28 metres (Kinteki). Every participant made 24 shots.
Tournament Winner was determined by results of hits. It was Vladislav Shumilin, who scored the most points. Three participants scored an equal number of points and were forced to compete for 2nd and 3rd places with the help of reshooting.
As a result, prizes were distributed as follows:
1st Place: Vladislav Shumilin (SPb)
2nd Place: Antyufeeva Anastasiia (SPb)
3rd Place: Kozlov Aleksei (SPb)
Tournament winners were awarded with Cups, medals and diplomas.
It is necessary to note the good shooting of Svetlana Tikhenko, representing at the event of the IPO “Kyudo Federation” (Moscow). She was able to show decent results. She did not have enough luck to take a deserved prize place as a result of the reshooting.
The friendly atmosphere of the Annual Interregional Friendly Kyudo-Tournament in St. Petersburg, the opportunity to exchange experiences and the sincere desire of the participants to jointly develop the Kyudo-community in Russia, certainly have a positive effect on the development of the tradition of the annual Kyudo-Tournaments in St. Petersburg. The organizers of the event are grateful to everyone who showed keen interest, attention and once again supported with their participation the held Interregional Japanese Bow Archery Tournament "White Nights. Kyudo-Style".
The members of RPO "St. Petersburg Federation of Traditional Kyudo" of will continue its work and hopes that next year during the White Nights the hospitable St. Petersburg will again gather Kyudo fans for sincere human communication and fair tournament wrestling.