Sakura Classic Northern California Kendama Competition
2016/6/23
On Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco partnered with Kendama USA to present the first "Sakura Classic" Northern California Kendama Competition during the first weekend of the 48th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco Japantown. Players of all ages and skill levels competed in speed ladders at Kendama USA's booth for a chance to play in the finals.
During the finals, held at the NCCBF Peace Plaza Stage on Sunday, April 12, 3:45pm - 4:45pm, a number of kendama professional players explained the history and current popularity of kendama as well as giving demonstrations of both traditional and modern kendama tricks. An audience of around 500 people watched the finals on the Peace Plaza Stage. Nic Stodd of Portland, Oregon was crowned champion of the first Sakura Classic, followed by runner-up Keilan Cancino of Sacramento and third place TJ Kolesnik from San Diego.
Kendama is a traditional Japanese ball and cup game that has seen a recent boom in popularity in both the United States and Japan. The 48th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival continued on April 18 and 19 (Saturday and Sunday).
During the finals, held at the NCCBF Peace Plaza Stage on Sunday, April 12, 3:45pm - 4:45pm, a number of kendama professional players explained the history and current popularity of kendama as well as giving demonstrations of both traditional and modern kendama tricks. An audience of around 500 people watched the finals on the Peace Plaza Stage. Nic Stodd of Portland, Oregon was crowned champion of the first Sakura Classic, followed by runner-up Keilan Cancino of Sacramento and third place TJ Kolesnik from San Diego.
Kendama is a traditional Japanese ball and cup game that has seen a recent boom in popularity in both the United States and Japan. The 48th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival continued on April 18 and 19 (Saturday and Sunday).
| When: | Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th, 2015 |
| Location: | Japantown Peace Plaza |
