There were two divisions, the Beginners and Open Divisions. Competitors mainly came from the two Davao based clubs (Davao Kenyukai and Davao Kendo Club), but other participants came in from Manila, Angeles City, Singapore, Korea, and Japan. A total of 5 teams competed in the Beginners Division, while 10 teams competed in the Open Division. The results of the tournament are as follows:

BEGINNERS DIVISION

3rd Place - Lloyd Dalipe (Davao Kenyukai), Jasmine Niere (Davao Kendo Club), & Harold Vistar (Davao Kendo Club)

2nd Place - Lester Edillon (Davao Kenyukai), Suzzane Yu (Davao Kenyukai), & Jerome Aguilar (Davao Kenyukai)

Champions - Sanjay Parami (Davao Kenyukai), Norren Limboy (Davao Kendo Club), & Louis Fuego (Davao Kenyukai)

OPEN DIVISION

3rd Place 1 - Ginn Solicar (Davao Kenyukai), Nathalie Marcelino (Davao Kenyukai), & Zach Abayon (Davao Kenyukai)

3rd Place 2 - Yuta Esaki (Manila Kendo Club), Suzzane Yu (Davao Kenyukai), Dariush Jadali (Davao Kenyukai), & Yusaku Miyazaki (alternate, Davao Kenyukai)

2nd Place - Myoungwook Ko (Tiger Kendo Club), Reida Jade Renovilla (Davao Kenyukai), & Sung Yong Cho (Tiger Kendo Club)

Champions - Robert Carabuena (Davao Kenyukai), Veronica Autencio (Davao Kenyukai), & Keitai Shingaki (Davao Kenyukai)

The long weekend started on Friday evening, where a good will practice was held between the participants. Saturday was tournament proper. Finally on Sunday morning, a special practice was held to celebrate the birthday of Davao Kenyukai's resident sensei, Keitai Shingaki. This was a "Tanjoubi Jiai", where Shingaki Sensei had to fight multiple matches for over 2 hours straight (only resting for two short 5 minute breaks) in order to accumulate 100 points.

All in all, the weekend of the Apo Cup was fun. We look forward to the next one in 2024!

*Photo images by Davao Kenyukai