The Mongolian Kendo Federation and Embassy of Japan to Mongolia have jointly organized the 13th National Kendo Championship last Sunday. At the opening ceremony of the championship, secretary-general of the Mongolian Kendo Federation E.Tamir said, “Kendo has been developing in Mongolian since 1994. Teacher R.Batdorj first established Ulaanbaatar Kendo Club in 1994. Currently, there are seven kendo clubs in Mongolia, and 200 kendo athletes. Eight professional kendo coaches from Japan came to Mongolia to judge this year’s championship. This is a very big opportunity for us.” “We will start preparing kendo athletes for the World Kendo Championship 2018 after the National Kendo Championship 2016. That is why we believe this year’s National Championship is highly significant,” he added. A total of 67 athletes of seven clubs competed in four categories at this years championship. Result of the National Kendo Championship 2016 Men’s Individual Gold medal – T.Chinzorig (Chikara Club) Silver medal – E.Batkhuu (Khasbuu Club) Bronze medal – E.Tamir (Mongol Club) Women’s Individual Gold medal – B.Munkhzaya (Chikara Club) Silver medal – B.Sarangerel (Orgil Club) Bronze medal – G.Uranbileg (Orgil Club) Boys’ (15 to 18 years of age) Gold medal – A.Nyamjav (Mongol Club) Silver medal – S.Tuguldur (Ulaanbaatar Club) Bronze medal – O.Erdenebulgan (Mongol Club) Girls’ (15 to 18 years of age) Gold medal – M.Munkhzaya (Ulaanbaatar Club) Silver medal – Ch.Anargoo (Chono Club) Bronze medal – A.Khaliun (Ulaanbaatar Club) First place winners of each category were awarded a right to travel around Japan for a week. Head of the Education and Culture Department of the Embassy of Japan to Mongolia Keigo Yamamoto said, “The Japanese traditional martial art of kendo is developing in Mongolia. I am very happy that coaches and athletes are spreading kendo. This is very effective for understanding the Japanese culture, and bushido (the code of honor and morals of Japanese samurai) through martial art. The number of kendo practitioners is increasing because the Mongolian Kendo Federation and All Japan Kendo Federation are doing a good job. There are 2.6 million kendo practitioners in the world. Half of them are foreigners, not Japanese. There weren’t enough kendo coaches in Mongolia few years ago. Now the number of coaches and athletes are increasing. These athletes are participating in domestic and international tournaments. Mongolian athletes have a chance to compete on the world stage.”