The 8th World Naginata Championships

by Rebecca Pomeroy (USA)

The 8th World Naginata Championships were held this July at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The campus is situated at the base of the Flatiron Range of the Rocky Mountains; a location that showcases the beauty of the Western United States. Many thanks to Diana Payne, President of the Rocky Mountain Naginata Federation, for making the arrangements with this venue, which happens to be her alma mater! 


The event began in the midst of a heat wave, with temperatures averaging well over 35 C (95 F) in the afternoon. Additionally, Boulder rests at an elevation of 1655m (5430ft) above sea level. Despite these environmental challenges, we began the Championships on Saturday in high spirits.

First, teams from Japan and Canada performed Rhythm Naginata for a receptive crowd. I was impressed by the creativity and technical prowess shown in both routines.

The Championships then opened with Engi-kyogi. I participated in this WNC event for the first time with my long-time friend Jessica Espinosa (instructor at UConn Naginata). This was an emotional moment, as it had been our dream to represent the USA in this event since we began practicing together at Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, MA) in 2011.

While training for the event, my Team USA coaches had emphasized the importance of Engi partners being as similar in appearance as possible. Therefore, the irony was not lost on me that both of our matches were against identical twin pairs! Our first match was against the up-and-coming Tsang twins from New Zealand, who were also making their WNC debut. In our second match, we had the honor of competing against the legendary Dermine twins of Belgium, who went on to place fourth in the event. See the results below:

Engi: Shikake-Oji

1st: JAPAN – C. Hayashida/ M. Nukii

2nd: JAPAN – Y. Nakamura/ H. Hayashida

3rd: USA – K. Tsukamaki/ K. Roche

The morning continued with Zen Nihon Kata. M. Nukii and Y. Hattori of Japan earned first place and my seniors S. Rabanal and K. Roche of USA earned second in an impressive match.

Engi: Zen Nihon

1st: JAPAN – M. Nukii/ Y. Hattori

2nd: USA – K. Roche/ S. Rabanal

3rd: BELGIUM – T. Dermine/ F. Dermine

After a brief intermission to adjust the courts for shiai, team matches began! The high level of spirit and technique of all competitors led to some exciting matches in both Women’s and Men’s Team. Everyone was cheering for good ippon, regardless of nationality, and there were many good ippon for which to cheer! 

Women’s Team

1st: JAPAN – R. Miura/ C. Hayashida/ H. Hayashida

2nd: USA – K. Roche/ S. Rabanal/ K. Tsukamaki

3rd: FRANCE – F. Hamot/ A. Gvero/ C. Veyrunes

Men’s Team

1st: JAPAN – H. Minamidate/ Y. Nakamura/ M. Masuda

2nd: BELGIUM – T. Dermine/ T. Vandenkerckhoven/ F. Dermine

3rd: FRANCE – G. Dufeil/ L. Vargoz/ L. Delalande

Next, I had the honor of representing the USA in Women’s Individuals for the second time. My first match was a close one against Julia Luo of Canada, a good friend as well as a formidable foe. My second and last match I fought Misaki Nukii of Japan, a powerful opponent that went on to achieve third place in the event. 

Women’s Individuals

1st: JAPAN – C. Hayashida

2nd: JAPAN – H. Hayashida

3rd: JAPAN – M. Nukii

The day ended with an impressive showing from all countries in Men’s Individuals. Tyl Dermine of Belgium earned a well-deserved Fighting Spirit award for his performance.

Men’s Individuals

1st: JAPAN – M. Masuda

2nd: JAPAN – Y. Masuda

3rd: JAPAN – H. Minamidate

The excitement continued on Sunday with the Friendship tournament. I had the pleasure of a front-row seat as a score-keeper for some truly inspired matches. 


Women’s Individuals

1st: CANADA – L. Liu

2nd: FRANCE – M. Silva

3rd: BELGIUM – L. Dumonceau

4th: GERMANY – Göbel

Men’s Individuals

1st: FRANCE – J. Chevaux

2nd: USA – A. Lin

3rd: NEW ZEALAND – A. Holloway

4th: SWITZERLAND – Y. Niederer

Throughout all events, the pervading feeling was one of love for Naginata and excitement for its future. Everyone has improved since the last WNC and Friendship tournament in Wiesbaden. I think I speak for everyone when I say I cannot wait for the next World’s; I am sure it will be as unforgettable as this one.

As the tournament portion came to a close, I was overcome with gratitude: gratitude for my sensei and Team USA Coach Ellery Engalla, who has always supported me and has gone out his way to create opportunities for me; gratitude for my East Coast Naginata Federation family; gratitude for my peers on Team USA; but most of all gratitude that I am able to share my passion for Naginata with people around the world that love it just as much as I do and are equally as dedicated to its growth.

Now, as I’ve waxed poetic for far too long on the WNC and Friendship tournament, I will summarize the Sayonara Party and following seminar with the highlights:

-Tyl and Francois Dermine taught Jess and me how to perform Shikake-Oji #6 backwards. Hilarity ensued. There has been talk of making “Reverse Engi” an official event.

-The Masudas of Japan put on a truly unforgettable performance at the Sayonara party. I cannot wait to see what their artistic vision produces for the next event.

-During the seminar, Jess and I, along with Vahn Libby of Northern California, got to drive the sensei around campus in golf carts. Shockingly, none of us were issued speeding tickets for our wild, Fast-and-Furious-style driving.


-I enjoyed many conversations with international participants in the Shinpan Certificate Seminar about the peculiarities of American education, cuisine, and dialect. This opportunity for cultural exchange is perhaps the most valuable opportunity in these kinds of events.

-Diana and her husband Steve Payne hosted a final farewell barbeque party at their beautiful home, which is just a few minutes from campus. The food was excellent and the beer was cold, in true American fashion.

Thank you to the members of the USNF and INF Boards of Directors, to Diana Payne, to all volunteers, to all tournament participants, to AJNF instructors, to friends and family, for contributing to such an amazing event for everyone. See you next time!