First competition!

[Martyn1969]

Hi guys,

I have been selected for my University team for the upcoming British Universities Championships in February. I am a little nervous to say the least as I am ungraded and have never even attended a Kendo Tornament let alone taken part in one!!

Does anyone have any advice on what is likely to happen on the day or any preparation that i can do beforehand? any stories of others 'first times' would be good too!!

[John W]

My advice.....

If this is your first competition just relax and enjoy the experience

Listen to your fellow team members. Esp the more experienced ones- if they are good kendoka they will help and guide you on the day with regards to what you should do and what is expected of you.

Good luck mate!

[Martyn1969]

Thanks John

That's great advice actually - I'll do just that - relax and try and enjoy it!

My dojo is a fantastic place to learn Kendo, very friendly and I'm lucky enough to be able to practice regularly with the British coach Sotaro Honda and the British Womens champion Kaori Miki, who both train at the dojo, so I get a LOT of good advice. Plus my sensei is very experienced and friendly.

I'll try and let people know how it went, just for interests sake!!

Thanks for the reply mate, and have a good one!

[souljah]

Good luck Martyn!

Think of this as an excellent opportunity to learn loads.

[mingshi]

Hello Martyn!

Hold on... WHEN and WHERE the hell is that British Uni Champ????!?!! Why is it not on the BKA schedule? And I thought it has been cancelled?

Say hi to Kaori... I miss her and her kendo

[Martyn1969]

Hi Mingshi!

The Uni Championships are on the 28th February at Imperial College, London. I'm wondering too why the BKA is not announcing it, I've checked the website quite often for information but nothing so far!

My sensei was one of initial organisers of the revamped championship, my club held the first few in Cheltenham, so I'm being guided by him. I've a feeling that there may have been talk about cancelling them at one stage, but there still on at the moment!!

I'll say hi to Kaori for you - how do you know her??

[James]

University Champs

[Martyn1969]

Thanks AGAIN James!

you're helping me out a lot here! It looks like I've been given duff info about the Uni Championships, which means i get to miss them as I'll be in the US on the 27th of March - DOH!! Shame, never mind I have grading to look forward to in may.

[Ca & Me]

Well its me The Long haired fellow your Team Mate ( the Irish Guy )
Martyn shame your gonna miss the games cant believe it just saw it on the British kendo website. Good thing it gives me a little more thing to focus on the Do Cut and the six pack !
Lot more training to Do.
Gotta put myself through the Mill.

Anyone else in the Thread Going to the Uk Champs?

[twotoedgiraffe]

Curiously, is there a particular ranking that you have to be in before entering into a tournament or is it up to the discretion of your dojo and if they need you or not for a team?