Kendo Varsity
The annual Oxford-Cambridge Varsity Match in Kendo started in 1997, and the tradition has continued ever since.
Every year at the end of the Lent Term, around February-March, Cambridge Kendo Club delegates a team of five students to compete against Oxford in the Varsity Team Match.
The event venue and organisation responsibilities alternate biannually between Cambridge and Oxford.
The other club members can participate in the Individual competition held before the Team Match.
Half Blue Sport Status
2 February 2018
As of 2017/2018 academic year, Cambridge University Kendo Club has been successfully awarded the Half Blue sport status.
The application and presentation was passed by both, the Cambridge University Women Blues Committee (as of 16/11/2017) and the Cambridge University Men Blues Committee (as of 24/11/2017) in the Michaelams Term and has been confirmed now. The criteria are slightly different for Men and Women (since we are a mixed sport club), and have been modified by both Committees accordingly to be in line with other combat sports.
The current requirements are as follows:
| Blues Criteria | Half | Full |
| Current Status: Women | Half Blues awarded to up to 5 members (male or female) who i) compete in the Varsity Match First Team (mixed team); AND ii) are 3rd Kyu grade or higher. | Up to 2 Discretionary. Criteria: i) A medal at any national-level kendo competition eg. UK University Kendo Taikai (BUCS), Mumeishi 3s Championships, London Cup, European Kendo Championships AND ii) participation in the Varsity Match First Team AND iii) a black belt grade level (minimum 1-dan/ Shodan). |
| Current Status: Men | Half Blues awarded to up to 5 members (male or female) who i) represent Cambridge in the Varsity Match First Team (mixed team); ii) are of 3rd Kyu grade or higher; iii) win their fight OR the team wins Varsity. | Only via the Extraordinary Full Blue application. |
| Total awarded annually | Up to 5 | 0-2 |
For more information and Varsity Match eligibility criteria, please visit:
University of Cambridge Sport: Blues Committees and Varsity