Phil Newcombe Cup - Malaga, Spain, May 1st - 3rd, 2026

Published May 23, 2026　10:00

Phil Newcombe Cup – Malaga, Spain, May 1st – 3rd, 2026

Greetings by Nariyama Tetsuro shihan at the Opening of the Phil Newcombe Cup

May 2nd 2026

On this special occasion, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the inauguration of the ‘Phil Newcombe Cup’ and sincerely appreciate the dedication and participation of everyone involved in making this tournament a reality.

Phil was ‘a brother on the path’. We met in 1982, when I first visited London to hold seminars there. The following year, Phil spent approximately nine months intensively training at Shodokan and receiving my instruction. He also studied at Shodokan Honbu many times thereafter. Although he was my student, he was also a peer whom I trusted implicitly. His inner strength, passion, and charisma attracted people and served as a model for many other instructors.

It has been approximately eight years since Phil passed away, but his legacy continues to be upheld by many today, and I believe, will be passed down to future generations. Once again, I would like to honor Phil’s memory and offer my prayers for the success of this tournament.

I would also like to share some exciting news with you all: On April 11th, 2026, a dedicated dojo was opened in Kokubunji City, Tokyo, thanks to everyone’s generous support. If you visit Japan, I encourage you to stop by the SAF Tokyo Dojo!

Although these remarks are brief, I share them as my greeting for this tournament.

Nariyama Tetsuro

Shodokan Kancho

A few words from Kerry Newcombe:

Aikido wasn’t just a hobby for Phil; it was a way of life! It brought him great joy over the 40 years he trained – not just because of his achievement, but sharing his skills with others and encouraging them to learn. Although always humble, Phil took great pride in using aikido to help those who were struggling stay on the right track. Aikido was a magnificent way to meet like-minded people and share skills (and a few beers!) with other aikidoka in the UK, across Europe, and beyond. Aikido gave Phil many special moments, like taking the Spanish team to Japan. It shaped his life and made him the very special person he was. He would be immensely honored to be commemorated with the Phil Newcombe Cup.

2026 Phil Newcombe Cup- Curriculum and Report

Friday 1st May ～ Sunday 3rd May

Malaga, Spain

Report by Sakai Shinnosuke

Seminars & Competition

Friday 1st May

Venue: Daikan Dojo

16:00～18:00　Seminar by Nariyama shihan 77 participants

・Taiso (Warm-up Exercises)

・Ushiro ukemi (Backward breakfalls)

・Ushiro oku eri tori (Grab of the collar from behind)

1) Oshi taoshi gyakutedori kote hineri

2) Kote gaeshi

・Mae eri tori (Grab of the lapel from the front)

1) Oshi taoshi

2) Oshi taoshi gyakute dori kote hineri

3) Tekubi osae into gedan barai (Jodan no Kuzushi)

・Mae ryote dori (Double hand grab from the front):

1) Hijikime taoshi

2) Hijikime followed by Oshi taoshi gyakute dori kote hineri

3) Breaking of the grip followed by Tekubi osae

・Koryu Goshin no Kata Tachi waza (Standing techniques)

The use of combination techniques, as shown in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd techniques

・Use of Toitsu ryoku (Unified power) and Datsu ryoku (Relaxed power)

Chudan no Kuzushi: 2 variations of Aigamae ate from Aigamae katate dori

Gedan no Kuzushi: 2 variations of Aigamae ate from Aigamae katate dori

Jodan no Kuzushi: 2 techniques of Kote gaeshi, Aigamae ate

18:15～19:00　Referee Training Course

・Court Staff

Explanation of each role: 2 scoreboard operators, 2 match callers/score recorders/staff to hand out red and white sashes, 1 timekeeper

Rule revision (Ippon: 6 points, Waza ari: 4 points, Yuko: 2 points)

Court staff convey the final decision with flags (including in the case of a win determined by ‘Yusei no hantei,’ where precedence is given to the value of the scoring techniques)

All staff (including referees) shall be responsible for the management of the court

・Main Referee and Corner Referees

Confirmation of referee gestures

How to proceed with the 3 referee system (managing the competition with 3 pairs of eyes)

Criteria for ‘Hiki wake’ (draw) and ‘Kinsa no hantei,’ where referees make a judgment decision on the outcome of the match

Handling of ‘Itami wake’ (when one or both players retire due to an accidental injury) and ‘Hansoku make’ (disqualification)

Rule revision (reduction of shido penalties, and abolition of the first to score system)

・Significance and Key Points of the Rule Revision

Clarification that this tournament was to be conducted according to the competition rules practiced by the Shodokan Aikido Federation. (Mainly reflecting the following 2 points)

Rule changes implemented by WSAF: Reduction of ‘shido’ (momentarily moving out of the area, light catching/snagging of the dogi, etc.) / Changes to scoring (waza points)
Rule changes implemented by Shodokan Aikido Federation (currently proposed to the WSAF): Abolition of the ‘first to score system’

19:15～20:30　Dan Grading Examination

・Yondan (4th dan): 3 examinees

・Godan (5th dan): 1 examinee

Saturday 2nd May

Venue: Sports Centre de Ciudad Jardín

10:00～12:30　Embu Kyogi Competition

・Kyu grade Division (Kihon no kata 17 techniques)

13 pairs of entrants (Spain 10 pairs・UK 2 pairs・Switzerland 1 pair)

・Dan grade Division (Koryu Goshin no kata 16 techniques)

13 pairs of entrants (Spain 5 pairs・UK 9 pairs・Switzerland 1 pair)

13:30～15:00　Referee Training Course ※Same content as the previous day

15:15～18:00　Tanto Randori Kyogi Competition (Men’s & Women’s Individual Event)

・Men’s Division

23 players (Spain 10 players・UK 9 players・Switzerland 3 players・Japan 1 player)

・Women’s Division

11 players (UK 10 players・Spain 1 player)

Sunday 3rd May

Venue: Sports Centre de Ciudad Jardín

10:00～12:30　Seminar by Nariyama shihan 97 participants

・Taiso (Warm-up Exercises)

・Lecture by Nariyama shihan

・Unsoku

・A Six-directional avoidance practice

Taisabaki / Irimi / Tsukuri / Kake

・Timing opportunities for atemi waza against a tanto strike (Tsukitaru / Okori)

・Kakari geiko for atemi waza

13:30～15:30　Seminar by Nariyama shihan

・Sword Movements and Tegatana dosa

・Bokuto suburi exercises (Ayumi ashi／Kiri kaeshi／Maki zuki／Hasso／Waki gamae）

・Koryu Goshin no Kata Kumitachi (Sword against sword)

1st, 6th, and 7th techniques

・Kansetsu waza tegatana no tsukuri／Nigiri kaeshi no tsukuri／Hiji mochi no tsukuri (Jodan only)

・Kakari geiko from Hiji mochi no tsukuri.

Comments

Nariyama Shihan, the Kancho of Shodokan, was invited to Malaga, Spain, for a tournament and a series of seminars honoring the memory of Phil Newcombe Sensei. Phil Newcombe made significant contributions to the spread of Aikido Kyogi (Competitive Aikido) in Europe. Joe Adams (Godan) and Kosho Higuchi (Sandan) from Japan, along with Xiong Tianyu (Sandan) from China, participated as instructional assistants for this delegation, collectively supporting the tournament.

All participants had a rewarding and enjoyable experience during the instruction and training led by Nariyama Shihan, marking his first visit to Europe in several years.

On the first day of training, we were introduced to the techniques and philosophies of various teachers, which helped us explore the roots of our predecessors in Aikido.

In the second seminar, held two days later, the training focused on the practice system for ‘tsukuri’ in atemi waza and kansetsu waza. Tomiki Kenji Shihan emphasized this aspect in his later years as a key direction for the future of our Aikido. The seminar also included excerpts from the Kumitachi preserved within the Koryu Goshin no Kata, as well as suburi training designed to develop real skills.

During the seminars, Nariyama shihan was highly impressed by how accurately everyone, from kyu grades to dan grades, performed our most fundamental kihon practices, such as unsoku and tegatana dosa.

On the second day of the tournament, the embu competition showcased consistent and well-coordinated demonstrations, reflecting rigorous daily training and adherence to the fundamentals.

In the randori competition, the referees effectively controlled the matches, thanks to the participants’ enthusiastic engagement in the previous referee seminar. The staff also managed the court operations accurately and without delay.

Throughout the competition, every match featured impressive moments, but the Men’s final, in particular, was outstanding, with both sides engaging actively and exchanging techniques rather than adopting a defensive approach.

Phil Newcombe Cup – Aikido Kyogi Competition: Results

【Embu Events】

〇 Kyu Grade Division: Kihon Waza 17 Techniques

1st　Susana Mediavilla Racero – Guillermo Franco Bueno (Spain)

2nd　Gagan Chana – Hana Ferdous (UK)

3rd　Andrés Sotorrio – Eduardo García (Spain)

〇 Dan Grade Division: Koryu Goshin no Kata (16 Techniques)

1st　Melissa Holmes – Milan Patel (UK)

2nd　Adeline Chanseau-Rigby – Adrian Van Kampen (UK + Switzerland)

3rd David Fernández Moreno – Nicolás de Troya Hernado (Spain）

【Randori Events】

〇 Women’s Division (Individual Randori)