A Historic Milestone with Outstanding Results

This JULY, the Greater New York Naginata Federation (GNYNF) had the immense honor of attending the United States Naginata Federation (USNF) and the 21st National Naginata Championship Tournament. Held in Los Angeles, CA, this historic event brought together practitioners from across the country to celebrate five decades of growth, dedication, and the enduring spirit of budo in the United States.

We are thrilled to share that GNYNF members achieved outstanding results, with strong representation in nearly every division and podium finishes across multiple events!

Taikai Highlights: GNYNF Results

Dangai Divisions

Zen Nihon no Kata
🥈 2nd place,
Otto Herman x Nigel DaSilva

Men's Dangai Individual Shiai:

🥉 3rd place, Aiden Park

Yudansha Divisions

Women's Dangai Individual Shiai:

🥈 2nd place, Emiko Kranz

Women's Best:
Damien Brown
Emiko Kranz
Sam Wilcox

Women's Dangai Individual Shiai:

🥇 1st place, Sam Wilcox
🥉 3rd place, Celina Lin

Men's Yudansha Individual Shiai
🥇 1st place, Otto Herman
🥈 2nd place, Nigel DaSilva
🥉 3rd place, Edward Kim

Men's Best 8:
Nigel DaSilva
Otto Herman
Edward Kim
Liam Stiles

Open Teams Shiai
🥇 1st place, GNYNF 2:
Adriano Fernandes, Liam Stiles, Edward Kim
🥉 3rd place, GNYNF 1:
Emiko Kranz, Otto Herman,
Nigel DaSilva

Zen Nihon no Kata: (Uchi x Shi)

Otto Herman x Bryce Harrop (from PNNF)

Women’s All Stars: Potential Friendship Taikai Participants
Malina Au
Caroline Powers

Sansho (Individual Merit Prizes)

xxx

Promotion Exam Successes

We are equally proud of the impressive results from this year’s promotion examination,
which followed the conclusion of the seminar. GNYNF candidates passed at every level of examination,
from 5-kyu to 3-dan. Congratulations to the following members and affiliates:

Sandan (3-dan)

  • xxx

Nidan (2-dan)

  • xxx

Shodan (1-dan)

  • xxx

Kyu Ranks

  • 3-kyu: xxx

  • 4-kyu: xxx

  • 5-kyu: xxx

🙏 Thank You to Our Community

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to:

  • All the volunteers and staff who made the event run smoothly.

  • The visiting federations and instructors who brought their knowledge, energy, and camaraderie.

  • The USNF leadership who entrusted GNYNF with this milestone celebration.

We look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to grow, share, and train together.

See you all next year in NYC!