On Saturday morning at Sifu Allen Chin's annual, 'Day of the Swordsman' event in Seattle, three challengers attempted to set new records for two new categories for 'target test cutting' swordsmanship. Sifu Chin is a long time proponent and key figure in the Martial Arts scene in the Northwest and B.C. Canada. 

In the final analysis for the day Jason Dubuc walked away with the honors as the only contestant that successfully completed the challenge for the category 'most cuts on nine targets in thirty seconds'. As a 1st degree Black Belt Jason's choice of target configuration and approach to each target was the right combination to win the day. 

These sorts of specialty contests are not designed for the beginner or an amateur. Only the most dedicated swordsman has what it takes to put together a solid round of technique, control and endurance to go the distance. 

Two other challengers were also after the prize of the day. Aaron McCloud, also a 1st degree Black Belt, who just turned 18 and was in his second challenge of this type. Russell McCartney as a seventh degree Black Belt, and the current World Record Holder of the '1000 cut Senbongiri Challenge', a record still unchallenged since April of 2000, also was there for the challenge. 

One might think that McCartney Sensei may have been the favorite, and in some ways may have been. Yet in this examination we will discover the inner components that determine the difference from 1st to 3rd place and 'disqualification' in events of this sort. 

During this and other events of this type there are many factors that determine the eventual outcome. First of all, the place of the event is charged with the electricity and anticipation of the action to come. Rather than the calm intimate confines of the usual training dojo, people are chattering, video and television cameras and reporters are asking questions and there is the hustle and bustle of 'target staff' and attendants in addition to the incessant spectator's chit chat about the event and its possible outcomes. There are also bright and unfamiliar lights and lighting, distracting lines of the auditorium floor and walls and a depth of field that can change ones sense of distance and approach to the target. Then you realize that not only are the judges scrutinizing your every move but also hundreds of eyes are fixed on you. It certainly can be an intimidating set of conditions that can easily throw off one's concentration. There is an unmistakable festive atmosphere here too, yet the unmistakable undercurrent of seriousness in the corner of the room where the challengers have assembled for the warm-up to their events. 

In the act of basic target cutting, with the sword drawn, then the approach to the target, a brief check for your distance, prepare for and execute the cut and then return from the experience, rounds out the exercise. There is no such luxury in the case of this event. All this must take place in the flow of movement and through a field and continuous series of nine targets one after the other. And 'you are on the clock'! 

A missed or poorly cut target, too few cuts on any one target, has to step around spent targets that may have fallen in your pathway and the natural adrenaline rush of the event, all impact the swordsman's composure and concentration to a breaking point. Not handling the pressure can cause you to blow every attempt to cut the target. This is where all the training of technique, breath control, and composure play on the eventual outcome. Success can be as simple as safe participation in the experience. Victory is realized through being prepared technically, physically, mentally, and spiritually; it is the culmination of a diligent training effort over many years and recent months dedicated specifically for this task. 

As a first time entrant into this sort of event, Jason took it seriously; training for weeks on end while utilizing suggestions offered by his instructor McCartney Sensei. The specific rhythm, tempo and cut sequences that Jason was most comfortable with outlined his effort for this days challenge. Jason chose the cuts that provided his best 'success to attempt ratio' that were woven into a pattern for the target field configuration that would work best for the cuts chosen and the time line that outlined the competition. 

This strategy paid off as Jason's effort provided the winning combination that took home the World Record. Though there was no looser on this day, there was only one Champion. As is always the case, the best effort of the day can be the one who has put it all together. 

And what of the other challengers?

Aaron McCloud made a fine showing producing good numbers for the day. As for McCartney Sensei, ten days of cold and flue symptoms had apparently taken their toll. As he jovially talked among news crews and spectators he was overheard to say "Well I hope you didn't have your expectations up too high". He seemed quite concerned about his lack of training time due to the week of down time the ten days prior to the event. I have seen him target test cut on several occasions and he just didn't seem to be settled. He triple faulted on the 'Fastest Four cuts on One Target' by missing the first of four "full cuts" by just a half inch on the entrance point of the top of the target. He was certainly fast enough by the third attempt cutting 3.75 cuts at an amazing 1.06 seconds (all times were digitally recorded). He simply just didn't cut well on the 9 in 30 seconds, cutting twenty nine cuts in thirty seconds, bringing his numbers to second best for the day among the three challengers. "I'm so proud of Mr. McCloud and Mr. Dubuc (both gentlemen are World Record Holders now). I just didn't have it today. No training time and my health issues of the previous week really took their toll" said McCartney of the day's events.

So it was all Jason Dubuc, winning the day in the 'Nine targets in 30 Seconds' with 31 total cuts. With McCartney Sensei's numbers at second with 29 cuts and Aaron McCloud at 28 for the same time period. For Aaron, it was an improvement of two cuts over his previous effort in the under eighteen division see: www.worldrecordfederation.com and www.ishiyamaryu.com for video of this event.

"It really was Jason's day and he did cut very well. Actually his whole effort was much better and more consistent than he has ever cut before. As his Instructor, I couldn't be happier", commented McCartney Sensei. The Founder and Chief Instructor of IYR went on to say, "I'm not the least disappointed as I knew going in that it would be highly doubtful that I would be able to pull out a solid record effort. Though I cut fast on the '4on1' at 1.06 seconds, I faulted on all three by the first cut not entering below the top of the target. In an event like this it takes four 'full' cuts. Though my time was pretty ok, I just wasn't 'on' enough with my technique to get into the 'under one second' bracket as I hoped for. Anyway, I'm very proud of my students and it gives me something to improve upon for next year", concluded McCartney with a relieved yet genuine smile.

This is the first article written by Bud Lyndeen who is part of the email response team for IYR and Peak Performance Sword Systems