3rd Ai Kendo Nexus National Championship 2026

Rules & Regulations

Registration Fee

  • Ai Kendo Club Members — Under 12: RM 40 / Adults: RM 50
  • MKA Affiliated Clubs — Under 12: RM 45 / Adults: RM 60

Enter Hall Requirement

Players MUST wear a mask, face shield, or mouth shield (either one under their men).

Eligibility

Open to all MKA-affiliated Dojo members.

Regulations of the Matches

All matches shall be conducted under the most recent FIK rule "The Regulations of Kendo Shiai and Shinpan". Any amendments made to the regulations hereafter shall be included.

Regulation for Team Matches

Teams will be appointed randomly once players register their names through the application form. The final team lineup will be announced before the event.

Shinai Requirements

Players are encouraged to check their shinai according to the standard FIK sizing requirements by age group. Refer to the official shinai chart for the correct size, weight, tip diameter, and saki-gawa diameter.

Deadlines & Safety

  1. Deadline of Application: 11:59 pm on March 31, 2026 (Tuesday).
  2. There will be no first-aid kits provided at the venue — players are required to take care of their own safety.
  3. The organizer will not be held responsible for any loss of personal belongings during the competition.
  4. All players must register on competition day before 9:00 a.m. on 18 April 2026. Players who fail to do so will be disqualified.
  5. All players MUST sign the Risk Acknowledgement and Consent Form and email it to aikendoclub@gmail.com before 11 April 2026.
  6. Ai Kendo Club reserves the right to final amendment and interpretation in respect of the above terms.

Shiai Categories

1. Suburi Tournament

Shiai eligibility: Ages 4–12 · Shinpan eligibility: 1 dan and above

Participants will be instructed by the shinpan shushin to do several types of suburi in pairs, judged on technique (ashi, suburi) and kiai. Three shinpan use a hantei system — each raises a flag indicating the participant they believe outperformed the other. Does not require bogu or motodachi.

2. Ashi Relay Race

Shiai eligibility: 3-person team · Shinpan eligibility: 1 dan and above

Each team must comprise three people with the following constraints:

  • Must include at least one person under 12 years old
  • Must include at least one person of kyu level above the age of 12 years

Teams complete a relay race. Fastest team wins. Time penalties may be awarded for poor execution of ashisabaki, maai, kiai, fumikomi, yuko datotsu, and zanshin.

3. Oikomi Tournament

Shiai eligibility: Ages 16 and below · Shinpan eligibility: 1 dan and above

A test of Ki-Ken-Tai-Ichi through continuous advancing strikes. Participants perform continuous cuts end-to-end and finish with a sharp zanshin. Judged on striking quality, footwork, kiai, and zanshin — single or double elimination depending on participants.

4. Under 12 Individual Shiai

Shiai eligibility: 12 years or younger · Shinpan eligibility: 1 dan and above

2-minute ippon shobu shiai. If the match exceeds 2 minutes, shinpan determine the winner by hantei.

5. Individual Matches (Men & Women)

Shiai eligibility: All ages and ranks in bogu · Shinpan eligibility: 1 dan and above

Men and women compete in 2-minute ippon shobu shiai within their respective gender categories. If the match exceeds 2 minutes, it proceeds to encho until one side achieves a point. Men in bogu rotate as shinpan for the women's category, and vice versa.

6. Mix Gender 3-Member Team Matches

Shiai eligibility: All ages and ranks in bogu · Shinpan eligibility: 1 dan and above

Each team has senpo, chuken, and taisho with the following constraints:

  • Must include at least one girl of any age or rank
  • Must include at least one person ranking 2 kyu or below
  • The third person may be of any rank, age, and/or gender

Teams allocated prior to event based on registered names. 2-minute ippon shobu shiai. Draws resolve via daihyosen representative match until one point is scored.