In the 22nd Annual Invitational Intercollegiate Kendo Tournament organized by TKU, both TKU men’s and women’s team struck gold at the finals. TKU also won silver for individual matches.

The tournament was held on March 26 at Tamkang with several thrilling matches. For TKU teams, it wasn’t a plain sailing at the beginning, but got better as the day progressed. In men’s team matches, TKU had to struggle with two tough opponents, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and National Taiwan University in the first two rounds. However, in the end, Chang Yi-hsiang of the Department of Banking and Finance, saved the day by beating four other opponents to secure a spot for TKU at the final.

At the final, TKU faced Taipei Physical Education College (TPEC) and after several fierce combats, it managed to clinch the gold medal. Although TKU belongs to the second tier league, it showed no fear when challenging the first tier teams such as TPEC. TKU’s team member, You Chi-rei of fisrt dan, for instance, took down his opponent of a higher dan in a few seconds. Such spirit won the respect of TPEC, particularly its captain, Chu Chi-cheng, who commented that TKU was a formidable rival that could never be underestimated.

His words are indeed very true when considering the inexperience of TKU’s men’s team. Most members only started to take up Kendo after entering college, and there are only two members qualified with third dan and second dan respectively. Against TPEC, TKU appeared to be no match at all in terms of skill and strength. However, according to Chang Yi-hsiang, who is also the Chair of TKU Kendo Student Association, their dedication and affirmative mental power propelled them to the top.

TKU’s women’s team did equally well in the tournament, thanks to its two members, Liu Wen-ying of the Graduate Institute of Accounting, and Yen Pai-yu of the Department of Management Science and Decision Making, who won her nickname “Little Tank” for her fearless combat style last year, but has been "promoted" to the nickname --the “Navy Carrier”, in this tournament for her more mature style.