Welcome to Kendo! We are holding a special event today to (re)introduce Kendo to the Toowoomba community, and hold the first regional kyu-level grading in the district.

The event will be from 10 am–3 pm at the Salo Centre, St Ursula's College, Russell Street.

Kendo is the modern martial art of the Japanese sword. Exponents train so that they can compete using bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armour (bogu) so that movements can be expressed with full force.

It is one of the few activities that are genuinely inclusive. In Japan, children as young as 5 and adults into their 80s regularly train. It is also one of the few martial arts where men and women can compete on an equal footing as tactics, timing and concentration are far more important that raw strength do generating success.

We will be having a general demonstration of high quality kendo practice with the support of high-level practitioners who will be travelling to Toowoomba to assist with the event. There will also be a public "hands on" session where you can be guided in your first steps in Kendo by some of Queensland's most experienced teachers, and we shall be holding a grading for some of the existing members of the Toowoomba Kendo community at the end of the day.

So come along and bring your friends. Everyone is welcome to participate!