Last week the mail has been sent to all official ABKF Kendo dojos with the information for the Kendo Dan Championships. This was sent to the official ABKF email address of each dojo.
Any dojo that has not received the information, please contact the ABKF Secretary and President as soon as possible.
Due to Friday’s “Codeco” of our government, it was necessary for ABKF to adapt again to the organization of its 2021 edition of the Winter Seminar. Besides the fact of trying to keep the health of participants correct, we also try to maintain as much as possible the organization of the examinations in good circumstances for all.
Due to the nature of the practice of Iaido and Jodo, this hasn’t had any impact on the already decided modifications taken last week. Only the moment for the Jodo exams changed a little but if everyone (Jodo) is present at the sports center from the start of the seminar, no big issues are foreseen.
Candidates for any exam who haven’t paid their inscription fees at 12/12 will be removed from the lists. Be aware of that!
The biggest changes are for the kendo related part of the seminar:
To avoid too large groups in training, we ask those who are not directly involved with any kendo exam to refrain to join the sports center. Of course, any junior attending the exam that day can be accompanied but in the limits set up by the government (2 persons). If any member is driving for other examination related member, he can join the practice since spectators are not allowed by the government.
To allow a secured ventilation of the hall and avoid large rows, we have decided to split the exams in different sessions preceded by a training of +/- 1 hour to have a safe warming-up of all candidates. This training is free of charge. Those who already paid for the seminar will be refunded by bank once the weekend is over. Please read carefully the new schedule for Sunday and please avoid to arrive too early (kendo 4th & 5th candidates) or leave late (kendo ikkyu to 3rd dan candidates) the sport hall.
Kendo schedule:
ikkyu to 3rd dan candidates: training from 09h30 to 10h30 and exams starts at 11h15
4th & 5th dan candidates: training from 13h00 to 14h00 and exams starts at 14h30
Face masks are mandatory when entering the sport center and during training. Only chirurgical or FFP2 masks will be accepted during practice. Chirurgical masks will be available at ABKF desk for free.
When wearing “men” in kendo, instead of a face mask, the use of a specific plastic “face shield” (minimum lower part) is the only option to avoid wearing the face mask. As soon as the “men” is taken off, the person is supposed to wear again its face mask.
Follow all instructions given by our staff members. In case of no respect, instructions are given to evacuate the “trouble makers”. Please make the job for everyone easy…
For Jury and staff members, ABKF will provide a FFP2 mask.
In case you would like to cancel your participation, please inform us as soon as possible by sending an email to the ABKF President, Secretary & Treasurer. We will refund your payment as long as the request arrives before 17/12/2021.
The unprecedented period, in which “everything changed”, has continued to evolve. The Belgian government and its experts are asking us to limit our contacts and thus our social activities. We hoped to be able to organize the annual winter seminar under somewhat modified circumstances, without the presence of a Japanese delegation, but with peace of mind. We’re not there yet. To ensure maximum safety for all our members and their guests while providing access to visible progress; we are forced to shorten this year’s schedule.
Please find the following letter from our president, Serge Hendrickx, regarding the still ongoing pandemic. Stay safe and be aware of the necessary precautions.
Payment onsite is discouraged, but we will have mobile payment (Bancontact mobile application) and payment by debit/credit card available.
For our foreign FIK & EKF-member friends: Do not forget to ask permission to your National Federation. They will add you to the EKF database. Do not forget as well to pay all requested fees (seminar & application fees for exam(s)) to the ABKF account.
If this isn’t done before December 1st 2021, your registration will be automatically rejected by our system.
Accommodations and meals are possible at the sports center but have to be arranged by yourself directly.
Link for accommodations at Sport Center: https://www.auberge3fontaines.be
Due to the COVID-19 situation, we will regrettably not organize any “Sayonara Party”. We invite you to enjoy a nice evening in one of the local restaurants or take to opportunity to visit Brussels City center easily reachable by public transport in less than 30 minutes.
!!! Due to the COVID security measures and restrictions please read it carefully and be on time the 18th. Very important also fill in the medical form and bring it with you a paper version:
Today, Saturday July 3rd 2021, after more than a year, our National Kendo Team started their practice.
Not everyone is back yet but it gives a nice feeling to see happy faces working hard.
Since former coach and manager resigned, ABKF appointed new members for these tasks:
Peter D’Hont will from now on act as our NTK coach and Ismail Bozok will pick up the position of NKT manager.
From now on and as long as COVID 19 is active in our country, every person who wants to join any training has to fill-in in advance following pdf-document downloadable here:
NL: Met diepe droefheid moeten we helaas het overlijden van Albert Heirmanmeedelen. Na een strijd van 3 maanden is Albert op 74-jarige leeftijd helaas overleden aan het COVID-19 virus op woensdag 23 Juni 2021 . Naast jarenlang lid van de ABKF en leraar in het technisch comité van iaido, was Albert ook gekend als grondlegger van de Tenshokai dojo in Lembeke en leerling van de Yagyū Shinkage-ryū school.
De begrafenis zal plaatsvinden in intieme kring. Al onze gedachten zijn met de familie, naasten en vrienden in deze moeilijke periode.
FR: C’est avec une profonde tristesse que nous devons annoncer le décès d’Albert Heirman. Après une lutte de 3 mois contre le virus COVID-19, Albert est malheureusement décédé le mercredi 23 Juin 2021, à l’âge de 74 ans. En plus d’être membre de l’ABKF pendant de nombreuses années et étant enseignant au sein du comité technique du iaido, Albert était également connu comme le fondateur du dojo Tenshokai à Lembeke et un élève de l’école Yagyū Shinkage-ryū.
Les funérailles auront lieu en privé. Toutes nos pensées vont à la famille, aux proches et aux amis pendant cette période difficile.
The International Women Seminar will take place in Mulhouse, France.
We welcome Omomi Takizawa 7th Dan Kyoshi for this seminar.
Link below for more info.
https://forms.gle/bYxtqPeHSz2EpE7t9
Event Details
The International Women Seminar will take place in Mulhouse, France.
We welcome Omomi Takizawa 7th Dan Kyoshi for this seminar.
We are pleased to invite suitable candidates from your dojo to participate in the upcoming Shinpan Seminar, which will take place on:
Date: Sunday 15 March 2026
Location: Adeps - G2 Room
Time:
Event Details
We are pleased to invite suitable candidates from your dojo to participate in the upcoming Shinpan Seminar, which will take place on:
Date: Sunday 15 March 2026 Location: Adeps – G2 Room Time: 09:00–11:00 (theory) and 12:00–15:30 (practice)
Purpose of the Seminar
The seminar provides both theoretical and practical training and will also serve as a pre‑selection for referees for the Dan Championship. Morning sessions will cover rules and judging criteria; the afternoon will consist of practical Shinpan and Kakarin scenarios with fighters.
Who Can Participate
We encourage clubs to nominate motivated candidates who meet the following profile:
Yondan: Welcome to join to develop refereeing experience
Godan: considered for pre‑selection for the Dan Championship
Referees aiming to improve skills and contribute to national events
Pre‑registration is required to organize groups efficiently
Program Overview
Morning – Theory
• Explanation of rules and judging criteria
Afternoon – Practice
• Shinpan simulations
• Kakarin practice with experienced fighters
• Evaluation system for feedback and potential selection for ABKF Dan Championship
Materials & Attire
Participants should bring:
Their own Shinpan flags
Formal referee attire (dark suit, white shirt, tie)
Note‑taking materials
Registration
A Google Form will be shared shortly.
Please submit names from your dojo before the registration deadline.
Do you want to join our national iaido team?
Please come and present yourself at this training. We focus mainly on taikai during this day.
The selection happens at the BIC 2026.
Event Details
Do you want to join our national iaido team?
Please come and present yourself at this training. We focus mainly on taikai during this day.
