Am I behind?

[lilbattousai]

I've hesitated to say this, because I might not like the answer..

I want to win regional championships and be known as a great swordsman.
But my mom said I'm 16 and if you want to be great at something like kendo
you need to train since your born. Ofcourse I refused to listen.. But I'm 145
and 5'7. I feel like I'm lacking physcial attributes sometimes as well. Why do
I want to take kendo? it's because I want to travel with my dojo and broaden
my horizon, places like Japan. And ofcourse to be a swordsman just like hitokiri
battousai.

But the question is?
If I take this seriously and I start classes about now, will I ever become
tournament level? Can I really be the best?

[Katana]

'The Best' is a nearly impossible goal to achieve. Most Kendoka aren't in Kendo to be the best however (I hope).

[Shiro]

I've hesitated to say this, because I might not like the answer..

I want to win regional championships and be known as a great swordsman.
But my mom said I'm 16 and if you want to be great at something like kendo
you need to train since your born. Ofcourse I refused to listen.. But I'm 145
and 5'7. I feel like I'm lacking physcial attributes sometimes as well. Why do
I want to take kendo? it's because I want to travel with my dojo and broaden
my horizon, places like Japan. And ofcourse to be a swordsman just like hitokiri
battousai.

But the question is?
If I take this seriously and I start classes about now, will I ever become
tournament level? Can I really be the best?

Forget about winning and you'll probably win more than when you think about winning ^-^. And don't forget Battosai is only a manga character, that might help too.
On the other hand, you're not too old, not too small and not to weak to be good. Kendo is not about strength.

[Shiro]

'The Best' is a nearly impossible goal to achieve. Most Kendoka aren't in Kendo to be the best however (I hope).

I any kendoka thinks he's the best, he should look at Eiga Naoki, that will cool him down..... ^-^

[Caleb]

Recently, I was thinking the same thing and asked a good friend and sempai about this. He said that you shouldn't do kendo to "be the best" or to win, but do it because you want to better your self. Thats the theory behind budo. He also said that their are people that started kendo late in there lives, and are great at it. The probability is very very unlikely that you will be the best, but the probability will be very very very unlikely that youll be the worst. As long as you train hard, and always have a spirit to be recognized, chances are you will be recognized.

[Katana]

I any kendoka thinks he's the best, he should look at Eiga Naoki, that will cool him down..... ^-^
Very true. Very, very true.

[Shiro]

Very true. Very, very true.

I've seen him fight at the Nakakura Cup in Brussels a couple of weeks ago.....
He took on 3 high-ranked kendoka (I know there was a 6th dan among them) the one after the other and he didn't have any problem with them!

[mystic_kendoka]

most former kendo champions you see nowadays and most people on this forum started kendo at about they're mid 40~50... if you're 16.. youre still young, and have loads of time... this is weird as im only 14...

[Hattori Hanzo]

I just started Kendo myself in December, but I am 26 by far no spring chicken.

[JSchmidt]

most former kendo champions you see nowadays and most people on this forum started kendo at about they're mid 40~50....

Say what?..where did you pull that number from???

[Will]

Why do I want to take kendo? it's because I want to travel with my dojo and broaden my horizon, places like Japan. And ofcourse to be a swordsman just like hitokiri battousai.

But the question is?
If I take this seriously and I start classes about now, will I ever become
tournament level? Can I really be the best?

The only way you can be the best if get out of your fantasy and join the rest of the world in reality.



and you probably won't be the best

[yukiko]

The only way you can be the best if get out of your fantasy and join the rest of the world in reality.



and you probably won't be the best
I agree with that! If you chase your dream too much you might find yourself in really pressured situation.Plus if you want to be a regional winner, why are you windging? If you have time to be the way you are, you should start practicing!!! This might sound harsh, but hey, if you want to have something then you should work for it.Things won't come to you!As you are old enough to get it by yourself!Come on!what are you waiting for!?

yukiko
PS.what is 145?is that your weight in kg?

[mystic_kendoka]

oei,, 145kg... go for sumo...

[Shambler]

16 is not an unusual age to start kendo in western societies, as it isn't an activity that most people pick up, like baseball or soccer.

But to be the best? A more realistic thing to do is to simply focus on being your best. It's like trying to be better than the major league baseball players. Just do all you can, put in your all, and that's all anyone can ask for. If you try to be better than everyone, you'll most likely be disappointed.

Yes, you can become tournament level, yes, you could potentially be the best, but you musn't think about that. Just think about putting forth your effort in the task at hand (basics first).

[ALI G]

But I'm 145 and 5'7. I feel like I'm lacking physcial attributes sometimes as well. Why do I want to take kendo? it's because I want to travel with my dojo and broaden
my horizon, places like Japan. Can I really be the best?

5'7" & comingz in at aboutz a buckz andz a halfz wetz......

Diss iz likez da Keebler Elfz doingz Kendoz.....youz betta makez a 2nd tripz 2 da buffetz.............

[lilbattousai]

lol.. i dont wanna be the best cos i have low self esteem..
mebi it's just to be acknowledged as the best. dont think too
badly of me, its actually kinda hard to explain. btw im 145
pounds. probably below average to the other 11th graders.

well, thnx for ur comments and concerns..
but just remember, if you ever hear that abe choi is the best
kendoka in the world. or even hurd of my name. atleast u cud
say,"That kid must have determination.." haha..

[Kenshin Himura]

You definateley an do this. Give it your est shot. From wheat I've heard IMing you you've got great potential. Just dont give up and practice well!

[Jin-e]

parents tell their children that if you believe it you can achieve it. As we grow older we forget about it, but we should'nt do that. If you believe in something you should really try your best, and I think you'll still get pretty far by doing that.

[Kenshin Himura]

parents tell their children that if you believe it you can achieve it. As we grow older we forget about it, but we should'nt do that. If you believe in something you should really try your best, and I think you'll still get pretty far by doing that.
I agree! ^_^x in Shaolin Kempo, I whent from white belt (beginner) to purple belt (4 ranks up) within 4 months of karate! normally it takes people a half a year or so to get to where I am, but I was determined! ^_^x when I was yellow belt I had the craiteria I needed for purple belt, but there was only 1 test a month, but if there was a test every week I would have had my purple belt within the first few months. also I got into Leadership, wich is for advanced students. They have been telling me I've been doing well ^_^x I may become a instructor, and also they put me in advanced sparring (a class I'm not supposed to be in untill I get a few more ranks). I have a feeling I'll have my brown belt by next year, or possibly my black belt! ^^x if I stick to it I can get it. And I achieved all this within 5 months of karate. Also its great for my health! I whent from being able to do 0 pushups, to doing over 30 pushups WITH a bad arm! its awesome! And all this be my 4th rank too! I suprised myself. ^^x dont give up, always try. I'm sure whoever tries hard and is into it will do fine.

[JimB]

I've hesitated to say this, because I might not like the answer..

I want to win regional championships and be known as a great swordsman.
But my mom said I'm 16 and if you want to be great at something like kendo
you need to train since your born. Ofcourse I refused to listen.. But I'm 145
and 5'7. I feel like I'm lacking physcial attributes sometimes as well. Why do
I want to take kendo? it's because I want to travel with my dojo and broaden
my horizon, places like Japan. And ofcourse to be a swordsman just like hitokiri
battousai.

But the question is?
If I take this seriously and I start classes about now, will I ever become
tournament level? Can I really be the best?
If you put your mind to it you can achieve anything. You may not be a world champion but you certianly can leave your mark on the Kendo community. As far as the remark about having to train since birth in order to achieve any level of proficiency in a martial art or sport I think that is all BS. I started ice skating at the age of 28 and played hockey in my city league and did quite well for someone who was not Canadian and hadn't skated since I was 3 years old. My skill and age did mean I wasn't as fast or experienced as others in my league but I was far from the worst player to hit the ice. I never reached the NHL but I did reach something more important, I discovered that I could do something new if I tried. I am taking the same tack with Kendo; I may never be a world class winner but perhaps I can attain a level of skill that will allow me to pass on my love of Kendo to others and someday open my own dojo. It might be a long shot, but I feel that life is too short to not aim high.

[Gohanssj]

You can never be too old to start unless your like 40 or somthing when you start lol, but im 15 and ive just finished my first class, dont focus on winning, focus on your goals and what you have already done and try to improve on them, you will probably find out you may go to a tournament and then win lol, just relax and dont worry yourself with age or winning, for example Bruce Lee was 13 when he began to train for martial arts and look at what he became before he sadly passed on, he became the greatest martial artist who lived.

[Gohanssj]

lol damn typos, make that finished my 4th kendo class lol

[nodaka]

[QUOTE=lilbattousai]I've hesitated to say this, because I might not like the answer..

yhea, you should have hesitated and NOT asked. nobody is ever the best at anythin, someone will beat you no matter how good you might think you have gotten. sometimes this type of arrogance is what will dedfeat you. this is what happended to Myomoto Musashi when he confronted and was betteb by a man carrinbg only a staff. read about this in the book of five rings. you are still very young. and remember that sometimes the biggest battles are fought between you ears.

[nodaka]

[QUOTE=lilbattousai]lol.. i dont wanna be the best cos i have low self esteem..
mebi it's just to be acknowledged as the best. dont think too
badly of me, its actually kinda hard to explain. btw im 145
pounds. probably below average to the other 11th graders.

if you really need other to think of you as the best. you should be rethinking why you practice martial arts. read "living the martial way" and "the unfettered mind", two of the best books i have had the opportunuty to read.

[Chopstix]

I quote the December 2003 National Geographics article on the samurai:


When I asked him (Uki sensei) about the significance of kendo, Uki answered..."Here we teach the spirit of winning, but it's not so much defeating an opponent as overcoming one's own self." Indeed, if you'd seen the National Geographics documentary on the hachidan grading, it seems clear that one's own greatest adversary is not an opponent but one's self. In that context, you can say that nobody is exactly "ahead" - conquering the mind is an ever changing challenge.

[-Miburo-]

'to do your very best in every training'; is this what beginners should go?

[Jin-e]

not only beginners. Everyone should do that

[kendokamax]

I think if you should strive(?) for being THE best.

Only way of getting good at something is trying to be better than anyone else around you. Trying to do your best doesnt mean much in my opinion. Trying to do your best to become the best is more...realistic and simple goal than just saying I want to become my best possible.

Most of the very strong kendo people do actualy think they are stronger.

Not only in kendo, but in other things in your life you should always strive for being the best!!

It doesnt mean to be disrepectful to others, must open your mind and listen to attain high level..

oh well im only 22 years old so what the hell do I really know? But thats how i feel.

[Old Warrior]

"Only way of getting good at something is trying to be better than anyone else around you. Trying to do your best doesnt mean much in my opinion. Trying to do your best to become the best is more...realistic and simple goal than just saying I want to become my best possible."

I preface my comment with my usual caveat that I am a relative newcomer to Kendo, but I have much life experience.

Life is a journey and for most of us the road takes many unexpected turns. My personal philosophy is that contentment and peace are my overriding goals. While pursuing these "goals" I often find myself involved in struggles to learn/achieve new disciplines, that frequently take years of dedicated effort to "master". I worry about whether or not I have given my absolute "best" effort. Whether or not I ever become the acknowledged "best" at anything is of no import to me.

I have friends who were "world class athletes" (winners of international competitions in their sports). I have reached certain conclusions about them. First, they all lost sight of maintaining a balance in life and most sacrificed greatly to achieve momentary fame, that was soon lost as their skills waned. Second, most, never learned good social skills and appreciation for family, because their training was so solitary for such a large portion of their life. They had to forgo marriage and children (while competing) and thus the window for optimum child rearing passed. Their singlemindedness adversely effected their social skills and they can't find anything that matches the feeling they had when they were at the top of their "game". Since Kendo, is a choice that does not bring with it monetary reward, it must find a suitable place in ones life that fits in with ones itinerary.

I don't know that setting a goal of "being the best" is either healthy or will prove satisfying. The liklihood of anyone actually achieving that place, is so slim, I doubt it is a worthy choice.

[miojine yahiko]

shirio is right battosai is an anime charachter its why i started kendo and its my favorite show but dont be influenced you can do battou-jitsu and te gatotsu if it makes you feel any beter but dont get them mixed up with real moves look on sites you can even buy a rev-blade katana {ill get ya the site in my next post} and train with that but dont strive to be like him because its impossible