It was the first time that I was travelling to Israel, and to be totally honest I was a little worried thinking of going there with all the news in our troubled world. But as the European Naginata President and in a way to help a starting Federation I was happy to go there, and trust me, I was right !
What an amazing surprise !!!
First of all, the hospitality of the people who invite me was exceptional, and than I have rarely meet people so devoted to naginata. I really mean it ! Building their own hakama, sune and naginata with the most basic material to help the youngest to start, the teacher in Israel is involving his heart and energy to help the childeren around him to share his passion. When you see this you feel proud to teach and practice naginata. In a really hot condition, as this country is surrounded by the desert, we had a 3 days seminar that end with a grade examination and the first Israelian Naginata Championship. You will find the results here under.
I was more than happy to open the way to other teacher to the dojo of Jerusalem so that they will one day practice with Gur and his student.
GRADING:
12 practitioners had passed to 4th kyu
3 practitioners had passed to 5th kyu
1 had passed to 6th kyuENGI tournament (kata):
1st Place: Gur Kovac & Yehuda Nizzan (Jerusalem Team)
2nd Place: Tom Kirkpatrik & Neta Sheinkman (Jerusalem Team)
3rd Place: Avihai Arnon + Ben Zaksch (Jerusalem Team)SHIAI Juniors (Combat):
1st Place: Avihai Arnon (Jerusalem Team)
2nd Place: Nikita Berkovich (Kfar Eldad Team)
3rd Place: Hirsch Salitanm (Kfar Eldad Team)SHIAI Adults (combat):
1st Place: Ben Zaksch (Jerusalem Team)
2nd Place: Yosef Rubin (Kfar Eldad Team)
3rd Place: Yehuda Nizzan (Jerusalem Team)
