Columbia University Naginata Club

The first naginata club of the Ivy League

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What is Naginata?

「なぎなたは、なぎなたの修練により、心身ともに調和のとれた人材を育成する。」

— なぎなたハンドブック（学科問題解説）

“Naginata is, through naginata practice, the fostering of both the physical and mental harmonization of the individual.”

— Cited from the “Naginata Handbook (Study Guide of Questions and Explanations)”

Naginata is a halberd-style weapon originally used in feudal Japan. Today's practitioners compete in Atarashii Naginata, a modern budo standardized in 1955 that combines kata (paired forms) and full-contact shiai sparring in armor (bogu). The weapon has historical ties to samurai-class women, who trained in it for home defense, and it remains open to all practitioners today.
Our head coach, Roche Sensei, holds the rank of Renshi (senior instructor) and is a seven-time U.S. National Champion. In 2026, we qualified three club members for the 2027 World Championship in Japan.
All students will have the opportunity to try shiai and kata. We attend at least one tournament each year which has competition for both formats. We also compete and practice with other colleges when possible. No prior experience or equipment is required for this club and we welcome beginners throughout the year. This club can also serve as a PE credit.

Our Coaches

Roche Sensei
Head Coach: Katie Roche
Rank: Renshi
Roche Sensei enters her 15th season as head coach of the Columbia University Naginata Club, which she co-founded in 2012. Over the course of her tenure, she has built Columbia's program from its beginnings into a pipeline for nationally and internationally competitive naginata athletes, coaching approximately 60 students from complete beginners through advanced practitioners and national champions.
Under Roche Sensei's leadership, 21 Columbia practitioners have attained the rank of shodan or higher, including eight who have progressed to sandan. Her athletes have captured U.S. national championships across Individual Shiai, Team Shiai, Engi-Kyogi, and Zen Nihon no Kata. Eleven Columbia-trained practitioners have won U.S. national titles, including six who became national champions while still enrolled at Columbia.
Columbia's success under Roche Sensei has extended well beyond individual championships. Five Columbia-trained athletes have been selected to represent the United States internationally, including four current and former Columbia athletes selected to represent Team USA at the 2027 World Naginata Championships. Her athletes have also become prominent members of Greater New York's championship teams and have distinguished themselves across multiple disciplines of the sport.
Roche Sensei's coaching extends beyond developing individual competitors. She founded naginata programs at both Mount Holyoke College and Columbia University, and established the Naginata Program at Ken-Zen Institute in New York City, where she serves as Chief Naginata Instructor. She has also coached practitioners from Pratt Institute and other university programs and has taught internationally, including in Utrecht, Netherlands. Through these efforts, she has played a significant role in expanding university and community-based naginata throughout the East Coast and beyond. She is the Head Coach of the 2027 U.S. National Naginata Team to compete at the World Naginata Championships in Tokyo.
A record-breaking seven-time U.S. Women's Individual Champion, Roche Sensei has represented Team USA at four World Naginata Championships and has earned three World Championship medals in addition to multiple U.S. national titles in individual, team, and kata competition. At the 2024 World Naginata Championships, she earned silver in Women's Team Shiai, silver in Zen Nihon no Kata, and bronze in Engi-Kyoogi. She also served as captain of Team USA in 2024. In 2025, she passed the Renshi examination in Nagoya, Japan, becoming the youngest person outside Japan to hold the rank and the first Renshi in New York City. She is currently the highest ranking sensei on the East Coast.
Roche Sensei holds an Ed.M. in Motor Learning & Control and an M.A. in Physical Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, as well as a B.A. in Asian Studies from Mount Holyoke College. Her coaching philosophy draws on movement science, motor learning research, constructivist pedagogy, and her Japanese cultural background. She emphasizes not only technical excellence and competitive success, but also developing independent, thoughtful practitioners who understand the principles underlying their movement and can continue to grow long after they leave Columbia.
As President of the Greater New York Naginata Federation, Roche Sensei continues to contribute to the development of naginata at the regional and national levels. Her work at Columbia reflects a broader commitment to building sustainable pathways into the art; giving beginners the opportunity to discover naginata and, for those who choose to pursue it, developing them into accomplished competitors, instructors, and leaders.
Coach Edward Kim
Assistant Coach: Edward Kim
Rank: 3-Dan
Now entering his fourth season at Columbia University, Edward Kim serves as an Assistant Coach for the Columbia University Naginata Club. He joined the club in 2022 and has been an active and important member of the coaching staff, assisting Head Coach Roche Sensei with leading and instructing students in the martial art of Atarashi Naginata.
Working alongside Roche Sensei, Edward has helped students find success in naginata both through personal development and direct competition. Many of the students he has worked with have continued practicing long after graduation and have achieved placements in multiple competitions.
In addition to coaching at Columbia University, Edward serves as an Assistant Instructor at Ken-Zen Dojo under Roche Sensei and as Head Instructor at the New York Budo Association Dojo.
Edward studied Illustration at the Rochester Institute of Technology School of Art and Design during his undergraduate studies.
Coach Nigel DaSilva
Assistant Coach: Nigel DaSilva
Rank: 3-Dan
Nigel DaSilva is entering his first season as an Assistant Coach for the Columbia University Naginata Club. He began practicing naginata concurrently with beginning his Ph.D. at Columbia University in 2021.
Nigel has served as the Vice President of both local and national naginata federations, contributing significantly to the administrative work behind the scenes and serving as the lead organizer for numerous tournaments.
A natural teacher, Nigel plans to pursue a career in physics education after completing his studies. He is excited to begin teaching at the dojo where he learned naginata and hopes to contribute to other dojos throughout New York City when able.
Outside of naginata, Nigel is an avid speed-chess player, reader, and lover of nature. He can often be found spending time with his cat, Gabbro.

Tournament History

2026

Greater New York Naginata Federation: 8th Yamauchi Memorial Taikai

Dangai Engi-Kyogi

1st Place: Lela Kornfeld (CC '26) & Nina Kornfeld (CC '26)

Yudansha Engi-Kyogi

2nd Place: Emiko Kranz (NYU) & Timothy Su (CU '23)

3rd Place: Jessica Wilson (MWNF) & Miguel Martinez (CC '19)

Dangai Women's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Nina Kornfeld (CC '26)

Dangai Men's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Liam Stiles (CC '27)

2nd Place: Daniel Kang (CC '29)

Men's Yudansha Individual Shiai

1st Place: Otto Herman (CC '24)

2nd Place: Nigel DaSilva (CU '26)

Open Dangai Individual Shiai

1st Place: Liam Stiles (CC '27)

2nd Place: Nina Kornfeld (CC '26)

Open Yudansha Individual Shiai

1st Place: Otto Herman (CC '24)

3rd Place: Miguel Martinez (CC '19)

Team Shiai

1st Place: Columbia University (A)

3rd Place: Columbia University (B)

Honorary Awards

Kantosho (Fighting Spirit Award): Liam Stiles (CC '27)

2025

Greater New York Naginata Federation: 8th Yamauchi Memorial Taikai

Dangai Engi-Kyogi

2nd Place: Lela Kornfeld (CC '26) & Nina Kornfeld (CC '26)

Yudansha Engi-Kyogi

2nd Place: Nigel DaSilva (CU '26) & Otto Herman (CC '24)

3rd Place: Jana Casals Puy (BC '23) & Coach Edward Kim

Dangai Women's Individual Shiai

2nd Place: Lela Kornfeld (CC '26)

Dangai Men's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Liam Stiles (CC '27)

2nd Place: Timothy Su (CU '24)

3rd Place: Anthony Tran (GS '27)

Yudansha Women's Individual Shiai

3rd Place: Mary Quien (SEAS '14)

Men's Yudansha Individual Shiai

1st Place: Nigel DaSilva (CU '26)

2nd Place: Otto Herman (CC '24)

3rd Place: Adriano Fernandes (CC '16)

Open Dangai Individual Shiai

1st Place: Lela Kornfeld (CC '26)

3rd Place: Liam Stiles (CC '27)

Open Yudansha Individual Shiai

1st Place: Otto Herman (CC '24)

2nd Place: Nigel DaSilva (CU '26)

3rd Place: Miguel Martinez (CC '19)

Team Shiai

1st Place: Budget Plan (Columbia University Alum)

2nd Place: Team V (Columbia University)

Honorary Awards

Yamauchi Award of Pioneering Courage: Miguel Martinez (CC '19)

Kantosho (Fighting Spirit Award): Miguel Martinez (CC '19)

Ginosho (Outstanding Technique Award): Otto Herman (CC '24)

Shukunsho (Outstanding Performance Award): Lela Kornfeld (CC '26)

2024

Greater New York Naginata Federation: 7th Yamauchi Memorial Taikai

Dangai Engi-Kyogi

2nd Place: Serena Luo (SEAS '22) & Bea Circelli (CC '23)

3rd Place: Lela Kornfeld (CC '26) & Nina Kornfeld (CC '26)

Yudansha Engi-Kyogi

2nd Place: Nigel DaSilva (CU '26) & Otto Herman (CC '24)

Dangai Women's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Asees Sahni (BC '26)

2nd Place: Serena Luo (SEAS '22)

3rd Place: Bea Circelli (CC '23)

Dangai Men's Individual Shiai

2nd Place: Timothy Su (CU '24)

3rd Place: Liam Stiles (CC '27)

Yudansha Women's Individual Shiai

3rd Place: Mary Quien (SEAS '14)

Men's Yudansha Individual Shiai

2nd Place: Otto Herman (CC '24)

Open Dangai Individual Shiai

2nd Place: Nina Kornfeld (CC '26)

3rd Place: Asees Sahni (BC '26)

Open Yudansha Individual Shiai

1st Place: Otto Herman (CC '24)

Team Shiai

1st Place: Columbia University Alum

2nd Place: Columbia University (A)

Honorary Awards

Kantosho (Fighting Spirit Award): Bea Circelli (CC '23)

Ginosho (Outstanding Technique Award): Otto Herman (CC '24)

2023

Greater New York Naginata Federation: 6th Yamauchi Memorial Taikai

Dangai Engi-Kyogi

1st Place: Nigel DaSilva (CU '26) & Otto Herman (CC '24)

2nd Place: Asees Sahni (BC '26) & Olivier Le Guen (Mexico)

3rd Place: Lela Kornfeld (CC '26) & Nina Kornfeld (CC '26)

Yudansha Engi-Kyogi

1st Place: Lily Hsin (CC '19) & Coach Edward Kim

Dangai Women's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Serena Luo (SEAS '22)

2nd Place: Jana Casals Puy (BC '23)

Dangai Men's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Otto Herman (CC '24)

2nd Place: Evan Tong (SEAS '23)

Yudansha Women's Individual Shiai

2nd Place: Lily Hsin (CC '19)

3rd Place: Mary Quien (SEAS '14)

Men's Yudansha Individual Shiai

2nd Place: Seokjoon Oh (CC '14)

3rd Place: Adriano Fernandes (CC '16)

Open Dangai Individual Shiai

1st Place: Otto Herman (CC '24)

3rd Place: Serena Luo (SEAS '22)

Open Yudansha Individual Shiai

2nd Place: Seokjoon Oh (CC '14)

Team Shiai

3rd Place: Columbia University (B)

Honorary Awards

Kantosho (Fighting Spirit Award): Jana Casals Puy (BC '23)

2020

Greater New York Naginata Federation: 3rd Yamauchi Memorial Taikai

Dangai Engi-Kyogi

1st Place: Adriano Fernandes (CC '16)

Yudansha Engi-Kyogi

2nd Place: Lily Hsin (CC '19) & Mary Quien (SEAS '14)

3rd Place: Miguel Martinez (CC '19) & C.L. Chen (TC '15)

Yudansha Women's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Mary Quien (SEAS '14)

2nd Place: Lily Hsin (CC '19)

Men's Yudansha Individual Shiai

1st Place: C.L. Chen (TC '15)

2nd Place: Adriano Fernandes (CC '16)

3rd Place: Miguel Martinez (CC '19)

Team Shiai

2nd Place: Columbia University

2019

East Coast Naginata Federation 25th Anniversary Annual Taikai

Dangai Engi-Kyogi

4th Place: Casey Li (SEAS '23) & Christina Chen (CC '23)

Dangai Women's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Casey Li (SEAS '23)

2nd Place: Christina Chen (CC '23)

Yudansha Women's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Lily Hsin (CC '19)

2018

Greater New York Naginata Federation: 2nd Yamauchi Memorial Taikai

Dangai Engi-Kyogi

1st Place: Adriano Fernandes (CC '16)

Yudansha Engi-Kyogi

2nd Place: Lily Hsin (CC '19) & Mary Quien (SEAS '14)

3rd Place: Miguel Martinez (CC '19) & C.L. Chen (TC '15)

Yudansha Women's Individual Shiai

1st Place: Mary Quien (SEAS '14)

2nd Place: Lily Hsin (CC '19)

Men's Yudansha Individual Shiai

1st Place: C.L. Chen (TC '15)

2nd Place: Adriano Fernandes (CC '16)

3rd Place: Miguel Martinez (CC '19)

Team Shiai

2nd Place: Columbia University

2017

17th United States Naginata Championships

Dangai Engi-Kyogi: Simon Wan, 3rd Place

Men's Team Shiai: Simon Wan, Miguel Martinez, 2nd Place

Women's Team Shiai: Lily Hsin, 2nd Place

2016

16th United States Naginata Championships

Dangai Engi-Kyogi: C.L. Chen & Miguel Martinez, 1st Place

Dangai Women's Individuals: Lily Hsin, 2nd Place

Dangai Men's Individuals: C.L. Chen, 1st Place; Aaron Tierney, 3rd Place

15th Annual New York Championship Taikai

Dangai Women's Individual Shiai: Lily Hsin, 2nd Place

Dangai Men's Individual Shiai: C.L. Chen, 1st Place

Greater New York Naginata Federation 10 Year Anniversary Taikai

Men's Individual Shiai: C.L. Chen, 1st Place; Aaron Tierney, 2nd Place

Women's Dangai Individual Shiai: Lily Hsin, 2nd Place; Ruka Wang, 3rd Place

Dangai Engi-Kyogi: Ruka Wang & Daria Litunenko (Russia), 1st Place; Miguel Martinez & Lily Hsin, 2nd Place; Aaron Tierney & C.L. Chen, 3rd Place

Team Matches: 3rd Place

2014

13th Annual New York Championship Taikai

Women's Division: Mary Quien, 2nd Place

Men's Division: Paul Cornec, 3rd Place

Women's Team's: 3rd Place

Men's Team's: 2nd Place

2013

East Coast Naginata Federation 2nd Annual Taikai

Women's Dangai Division: Mary Quien, 1st Place

Men's Dangai Division: Seokjoon Oh, 3rd Place

Dangai Engi-Kyogi: Aaron Tierney (Shikake) & Mary Quien (Ooji), 4th Place

12th Annual New York Championship Taikai

Dangai Engi-Kyogi: Brock Chen & Paul Cornec, 3rd Place

Men's Team Matches: Columbia University (Seokjoon Oh, Paul Cornec, Aaron Tierney), 3rd Place

Practice Times

First Practice

When

September 26th, 2026 from 2–4 pm in AR3.

What to Expect

Everyone will get a chance to try the naginata themselves and then the club officers will demonstrate some kata and shiai.

Finding the Room

AR3 is down the staircase just past the track, before the changing rooms. Club members will be at the entrance of Dodge Fitness Center to help guide you if needed.

What to Bring

No equipment or experience is necessary. Please come in athletic clothes and bring water. Practice is typically done barefoot or in socks although this is not recommended.

Semester Practice Times

Main Club Practices

Saturdays: 2–4 pm in AR3
Sundays: 6-8 pm in AR3

Advanced Shiai Competition Practice

Tuesdays: 8–10 pm in AR4

Officer Led Practice

Fridays: 3–5 pm in AR3

Join the Club

Who can join: Open to all Columbia undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, staff, and faculty who have Dodge Fitness Center access.
Registration: Sign up and pay dues with Club Sports; no registration is required to attend your first three practices.
Equipment: The club provides a naginata and bogu to all members throughout their membership. Members who wish to order personal equipment beyond the club-provided gear may also do so through Roche Sensei, but it is not required.
A uniform (gi + hakama) is required for promotions and competitions but is not initially required for practice. Uniforms are typically ordered through Roche Sensei later in the semester (around October) and purchased out of pocket by members.
All students will have the opportunity to try shiai and kata. We attend at least one tournament each year which has competition for both formats. We also compete and practice with other colleges when possible. No prior experience or equipment is required for this club and we welcome beginners throughout the year. This club can also serve as a PE credit.