We wish to congratulate Jerry Dahlqvist, Magnus Moberg, Robert Martinsson from Stockholm North and Helen Linnell, Erik Imamura, Kalle Grill students from Stockholm April 25 passed their grading to Shodan.

We have created a new tradition that we hope will be durable: the most experienced instructors will meet one weekend per semester for a joint training and coaching. The training day on the 10th of April was open to all with 3rd day or higher.

The Swedish Shorinji Kempo Federation held its Annual General Meeting on last Saturday. One of the ordinary items is election of federation officers. Before the meeting a few officers had announced that they wouldn’t be available for re-election.

At the 27th of February, a Shodan examination was conducted in Enskedehallen, Stockholm. During more than two hours of sweaty exercises did Kenneth Svedlund and Linus Thorelli succeed in proving themselves worthy of 1st Dan in Shorinji Kempo.

Over two days the weekend 5-6th of December a number of higher graded (3 Dan and above), who runs clubs and that instructs a lot, gathered to train and coach each other. Mostly the training was basic techniques and combinations on mits and bag.

Two new DVDs have just been released, "The World of Shorinji Kempo - Europe" 少林寺拳法の世界ヨーロッパ編 and "Shorinji Kempo Legendary Master Aosaka Hiroshi "少林寺拳法达人伝説青坂寛. The narration is Japanese but there are subtitles in English, French and Italian.

Now there's a new Blue Label Dogi (suitable for beginners and children) available. The new Blue Label, according to reports from branches who bought it, is very affordable and now fully bleached and is also available with name embroidery.

This year's national finals were decided in the middle of the center of Gothenburg at the Valhalla Training Center. The Taikai was determined in two different groups, Kyukenshi (under black belt) and Yudansha (practitioners with black belt).

On the weekend of the 17th October 2009 the Swedish Federation held a Yudansha Gasshuku. In attendance were many Kenshi from branches within Sweden and also Kenshi from elsewhere within Europe; from Germany, France, and the UK.

Hombu has put up some info about the newly published book "Hajimeyou! Shorinji Kempo" [はじめよう！少林寺拳法] The book has 175 pages and very nice colour pictures of most hokei up to shodan.

The Swedish Federation received a commendation from WSKO during the Taikai/Koshukai in Bali for its work for the last fifteen years. The commendation was handed out by the WSKO President So Yuuki.

Peter Carlsson from Göteborg shibu is visiting a friend in Japan for about a month. He writes a blog about his experiences during this time.

On the 26th of May 2009 John Lindholm and Peter Spångberg, both from Shorinji Kempo Bromma Shibu, their test to shodan junkenshi (1st Ddan). A big CONGRATULATIONS to John and Peter.

Unfortunately the activity in Uppsala is now discontinued. The Federation recently got the official letter which WSKO accept the closure of Uppsala Shibu.

On Saturday 21st of March the Swedish Budo & Martial Arts Federation held their annual General Meeting. The big question in this years' meeting was the proposed change of the federation's organisation.