To  All Referees of the FIK America Zone 

We are pleased to announce the 2026 FIK America Zone Referee Seminar will be held in the United States.

This seminar will once again serve as an important opportunity for the selection of referees for the 2027 World Kendo Championships (WKC), as well as for the development and training of future WKC referees. Please review the detailed information provided in the FIK announcement  and complete your registration through the online registration form. We look forward to welcoming you to Fullerton Community Center and working together to further develop the standard of kendo refereeing within the America Zone.

Thank you, and we hope to see you in Fullerton.

Sincerely,

2026 FIK America Zone Referee Seminar committee

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2026 FIK America Zone Referee Seminar in USA

Registration due date: August 20, 2026

DATES: September 12th and 13th

LOCATION: Fullerton Comunity Center (340 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832)

HQ HOTEL:

Hotel info: Hilton Buena Park Anaheim

6979 Brenner Ave, Buena Park, CA 90621 USA  • (657) 252-5200 

Group  reservation 

Airport: (LAX)  Los Angeles International Airport or (SNA) John Wayne Airport (Orange County)

INSTRUCTORS / PLAYERS / TRANSLATORS:

Kunihide Koda Hanshi 8 Dan

Masaru Yamazaki Hanshi 8 Dan

Norio Osawa Hanshi 8 Dan

6 Players (from Japan)

Translator Taro Ariga Kyoshi 8 Dan for 7 Dan group

Translator Hayato Mitsuishi 6 Dan for 6 dan & under group

ELIGIBILITY: 

4 Dan and above

Group A:   7 Dan

Group B:   6 Dan and under

IMPORTANT:

1. Handbook for Kendo Shiai and Shinpan Management [PDF]

　Please be sure to print and bring this document.

2. Please carefully note and adhere to the Shinpan attire

• Plain navy blue jacket

• Gray trousers

• White shirt with stiff collar

• Deep red (burgundy) tie

• Plain dark blue socks (no patterns or decorations) 

3. Required items to bring:

• Shinpan-ki (referee flags)

• Kendo Shiai and Shinpan Rule Handbook

• Notebook and pen

• Water bottle

4. How to Access Uber/Lyft Pickup at LAX     

• Pick up your luggage.

• Go outside the terminal.

• Follow the green “LAX-it” signs.

• Take the free shuttle bus to the LAX-it pickup area.
  (Some terminals are close enough to walk.)

• Once you arrive at LAX-it, request your Uber or Lyft on the app.

• Go to the assigned pickup lane and get in your car.

Important:

• This is different from the regular taxi pickup area.

• Wait times may be longer at night or during busy hours.

• Some premium services such as Uber Black may allow terminal pickup directly.

5. Hotel Details

• Outdoor swimming pool 

• Breakfast included  7:00-11:00 AM                          

• Checkout is at 11:00 AM

• Rooms have a coffee machine & 2 water bottles, free WiFi

6. Welcome party & registration 

• Registration will be available either on Friday at the hotel from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, or on Saturday at the venue registration desk from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM. 

• Welcome party dress code for attendees is a Smart Casual or Kendo dojo uniform.

Other items to note:

• Anyone who has not paid the registration fee will not be allowed to enter the venue. Always wear your tag on the lanyard. It is your lunch and banquet ticket

• All participants will receive two stickers to put on your left chest. Please use one on Day 1 and the other on Day 2.

• If you ordered a Referee Handbook, please pick it up at Registration

• Please refrain from recording video during the seminar.

• Since there will be no shuttle bus service between the hotel and the gym, we kindly ask those who will be driving to help by offering rides to other participants whenever possible. Thank you for your cooperation. 

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to me. We look forward to welcoming you to California  education@auskf.org 

2026 FIK America Zone Referee Seminar in USA Schedule

Friday, September 11th 17:00 - 18:30

Event registration at headquarter hotel: Hilton Buena park 

Pick up your registration package.

Saturday, September 12th 

08:30 - 09:00 Event registration at Fullerton CC (Pickup your registration package.)

09:00 - 16:00 Day 1 FIK Referee Seminar at Fullerton CC in Gymnasium (Lunch will be provided for those who pre-ordered at registration)

16:00 - 17:00 Godo keiko with Japanese delegation

19:00 - 22:00 Welcome Reception (Banquet at Hilton Buena Park hotel)

Sunday, February 1st

09:00 - 12:00 Day 2 FIK Referee Seminar at Fullerton CC

12:00 - 13:00 Open keiko for seminar attendees (Japanese sensei will not be practicing)

FIK and AUSKF America zone referee seminar committee