by Valentin
5th of October 2025 saw the next edition of our Inazuma Tournament taking place in Mainz. As usual, the focus had been to introduce beginners to the tournament landscape. Explanations of the procedures, an accessible Shikake-Oji selection (Nihonme-Ipponme) and limiting the participation to Shodan at maximum helped newcomers to try their (nonexistent) shoes in the competition world. This year, there was also lot in it for advanced players, as the seminar concurred with a team training of the German national team in preparation for the European Championship. And of course, people with higher grades could collect valuable experience as Shinpan. Aside from that and due to the many shiai-participants (and having only one shiaijo available), we switched to a very interesting double elimination system. That way, every shiaisha had more than one chance to fight while we still finished in a shorter time than using pools all the way through.
In short, no wonder this combination attracted many ambitious Naginataka: more than 30 participants arrived and some arriving from quite far away. From various German Dojos, Switzerland and France. In the competition, the Engi prizes went to Carsten Kaspar and Jonas Stock for the 1. place, Alexandra Honnorat and Bettina Heger for the second place and to Romane Bizé and Hugo Soleau for the third place. In the Shiai, Jonas Stock achieved the first place, Yannick Niederer second
and Marvin Riedel third place. Our very own Inazuma-price (for winning the quickest match) went to Thomas Gerstmann.
In my opinion, it was a win for everyone by participating and gaining valuable experience. Not only for those who received one of our very nice wooden trophies (if you want to see one, just win it). It looked
like taking the trip was rewarding for all as everyone could profit from the weekend and the atmosphere was friendly, welcoming and vibrant with community spirit.
Results
Shiai:
1st Jonas Stock (DE – Tatsumaki Naginata Dojo Dellfeld)
2nd Yannick Niederer (CH – WEMAC)
3rd Marvin Riedel (CH – WEMAC)
Inazuma-Preis Gerstmann, Thomas (DE – Kampfkunstzentrum Ingelheim)
Engi:
1st Carsten Kaspar + Jonas Stock (DE – Tatsumaki Naginata Dojo Dellfeld)
2nd Alexandra Honnorat + Bettina Heger (FR – JCMA Maisons-Alfort)
3rd Romane Bizé + Hugo Soleau (FR – JCMA Maisons-Alfort)