The following is a review of competition day only. For Void's thoughts on the rest of the week, see here.

It was the biggest ever EKO, and perhaps the biggest ever kendama event outside of Japan. 53 competitors were signed up for either beginner or advanced division. We had a really great venue for the event, a circus big top with raked seating and a floor area in front of the stage. People began to arrive from about an hour before the scheduled kick-off, while the light and sound were still being sorted out. The warm-ups began in earnest, both on- and off-stage, and then Matt Nix arrived, hotfoot from an early morning flight, to have his pre-booked attempt at qualifying for the STC.

2 o'clock came, and we were off! Void compèred the event, and began by introducing our special guests from Japan. Shimadera-san, Akimoto-san and Mukai-san all came on to demonstrate a single stylish trick before taking their seats as judges for the Beginner division. 26 players came up in threes to face the trick ladder. Alf took an early lead from the first all-German group, before Callum overtook him whilst competing directly against his dad. Petra kept up a strong standard, and then Duncan and Lucia pushed things hard... all the way up to 11. Marko flew the Finnish flag, then it was time for a pause in the ladder.

We took a break to announce the 4 finalists for the STC, and to run the first semi-final. 14 people had run qualifying times the previous day, but who would go through? Matt had showed he was fully alert despite his early start, and qualified in fourth with a time of 21.2 seconds. Next up was the skill and experience of the three JKA players. Mukai-san clocked up 20.20s, Akimoto-san 18.89, and Shimadera-san was top seed with just 17.72 seconds. All four times beat the previously best recorded STC times. The first semi-final was between seeds 2 & 3. Matt and Shimadera-san took up positions as judges, and the competitors lined up and waited for the word... GO! Akimoto-san lived up to his seeding, and also sped up, clocking a time of 17.7 seconds to go through to the final, with another new record time.

Back to the beginner ladder, and an all-Spanish line up saw Pablo climb over Miguel and Alex... all the way to the top of the ladder. Operation lighthouse was complete. Alex H, Lars and Lawrence battled next, followed by Melanie, Christian and Christoff, who kept up a high standard. Martin finished off, with Alexander arriving just in the nick of time to join him.

It was 2nd STC semi-final time, and this time Shimadera-san showed no mercy against Matt, going through in 20.7 seconds to an all-Japan final.

27 entrants for the advanced division was not a perfect number for a knockout competition, which meant that 5 players were seeded, and given a bye to the 2nd round. The knockout format proved once again to be a success, throwing up moments of high drama, both expected and surprising. Ian, Tom, Yannick and John all showed strong form to progress to the quarter-finals, but each had their runs ended there.

Another break for the STC final - Shimadera-san against Akimoto-san. A very high standard had been set so far, and there was no let-up at this stage. Yet another fastest time was set, an amazing 17.2 seconds, by Akimoto-san who took the Speed Trick Challenge title.

The semis of the Advanced division saw Nic face up to Matt, having already put out one JKA player with no regard for the form book. The British champ was on good form, but Nic was on fire, and went 2-0 through to the final.
In the other semi, Shimadera-san faced up to Mukai-san. K.Cima took an early lead, but Emperor fought back to go 2-1 into the final.

So, it was Switzerland vs Japan in the final, Nic vs Mukai-san. Slip-grip special couldn't separate them, but rotor blade gave a 1-point lead to Europe. Mukai-san fought back with Bird, and then got his revenge with rotor blade. Around Europe was drawn next, and the Emperor in red held good, taking the final 3-1.

While the scores were tallied up, Basti took over on the mic to run the Best Trick comp. Some amazing moves were shown, but often they were not finished off right - the players going for that extra combo trick too many. Finally though, 3 players were picked out by Basti for the final audience vote. John for his Flying Candle, Akimoto-san for his quadruple Ozara, and Tom for his Munich Tower. The audience decided Tom's kendama de- and re-construction was the one for them.

Prizes and titles were awarded before everyone got together for a group photo.

Here's to the next time!