Too old to start kendo?

[Darknails]

Hello..
I'm 23 years old and have always been interested in Kendo somehow
never got around to do it. And now I'm not sure if it's too late for me
to start because I know a lot of people start during their teens, and
if I do it I want to be GOOD. So is there anyone who can tell me
whether it's possilble to become amazingly good (say winning
tounaments) if one starts at such age. And how much time per week
is normally required to practise to become that good?

Please excuse my somehow naive questions.. thanks in advance

[Paikea]

Your age isn't an issue (wish I was 23 again), but perhaps your motivations need examination. If you don't become amazingly good or win lots of tournaments will you quit?

[rckenshi]

Hello..
I'm 23 years old and have always been interested in Kendo somehow
never got around to do it. And now I'm not sure if it's too late for me
to start because I know a lot of people start during their teens, and
if I do it I want to be GOOD. So is there anyone who can tell me
whether it's possilble to become amazingly good (say winning
tounaments) if one starts at such age. And how much time per week
is normally required to practise to become that good?

Please excuse my somehow naive questions.. thanks in advance

Kind of depends on your definition of GOOD. If by good, you mean you plan to win the world championship, well . . . let's just say, you're at a disadvantage to those who took up kendo when they were 8 (or younger), and practiced kendo at school for multiple hours - every day.

On the other hand, our 70+ year old Sensei took up kendo in his late 30s (possibly early 40s), currently holds the rank of go-dan, and can hold his own with san-dans in their 20s. To me, that's GOOD.

I don't think it's ever too late to take up kendo. I started a few years ago when I was over 40. Do I wish I had started when I was 8 - Sure do. But I also wish I had started when I was your age. I'm at least as glad I didn't wait another 10 years to start. Guess what it comes down to is, if you want to learn kendo, start now. No point in regrets about lost opportunities. Life, just like in kendo, requires you to keep going forward.

[Gessho]

I just stated kendo last month. I'm 40 years old and I know that I have long road ahead of me. I think of it the same as traveling. The destination is just part of the experience.

If I keep at it and work hard I'll be as good as I ever could be, no matter when I started.

I once read somewhere that the body, which is mostly water, will adjust to the demands and direction placed on it by the mind.

[jasmine]

Hello..
I'm 23 years old and have always been interested in Kendo somehow
never got around to do it. And now I'm not sure if it's too late for me
to start because I know a lot of people start during their teens, and
if I do it I want to be GOOD. So is there anyone who can tell me
whether it's possilble to become amazingly good (say winning
tounaments) if one starts at such age. And how much time per week
is normally required to practise to become that good?

Please excuse my somehow naive questions.. thanks in advance

Hey,
I'm 23 and I just begin to play kendo last year.So it is not late for you.One of my sensei 7 th dan ,begin with training when he was 37.I think it is much later than you do.Anyway,woning the match and getting "dan" is not a unique purpose on playing kendo.It depends on what you think of kendo!
Let's do it!!

[baysun]

Hey,
I'm 23 and I just begin to play kendo last year.So it is not late for you.One of my sensei 7 th dan ,begin with training when he was 37.I think it is much later than you do.Anyway,woning the match and getting "dan" is not a unique purpose on playing kendo.It depends on what you think of kendo!
Let's do it!!

-------

Very very true. There are many cases like your teacher in Japan. I know someone who started when he was over 40 and is now a 5th Dan. Another man at the last promotion test got his 5th Dan at 85yrs. !!!, 2yrs. ago. And there were women in over sixty years old who also got 5th dan. There was a very long applause for them. I will never forget it. All of them had very good movement.

[Nanbanjin]

Hello..
I'm 23 years old and have always been interested in Kendo somehow
never got around to do it. And now I'm not sure if it's too late for me
to start because I know a lot of people start during their teens, and
if I do it I want to be GOOD. So is there anyone who can tell me
whether it's possilble to become amazingly good (say winning
tounaments) if one starts at such age. And how much time per week
is normally required to practise to become that good?

Please excuse my somehow naive questions.. thanks in advance

I started kendo when I was 16 (which should have been young enough) but I really suck! I still like playing kendo though.

[Mike]

I started in January at the young age of 30, and although I can't say I'm good, I at least have a good time and 23 sounds young enough to me to become good, if you have enough motivation and skill and practice hard enough.

[Usagi San]

Hell, I started at 33. THAT'S OLD.
Give it a try. You'll be surprised how enjoyable it can be.

[meow]

I am 36 and started kendo about eight months ago. Probably I will never become as good as someone who started as a teenager, but I improve if I work hard enough.

The most important point is: Do you have fun doing kendo?

When your heart is really into it, then there should be no need to compare yourself with others and worry about how good you can become.

Start Kendo now!

P.S. How often you will be able to practice depends on many things like school, working hours, family and of course your dojo. If they offer practice only twice a week, then that´s all there is and you have to accept that. But you can always practice at home after you learned some basics.

[tapioka]

my brother started kendo during his college years, and altho he quit about 6 months ago, he finished off with being a ni-dan, and he's still in his twenties! go for it!

[louisvandalen]

Hell, I started at 33. THAT'S OLD.

Thanks for ruining my day. Im 31, 2 years to go before I have to retire.

Best Regards,

Louis
young at heart

[hobbit]

Thanks for ruining my day. Im 31, 2 years to go before I have to retire.

Amateur . . . I left school before you were born, and I don't consider myself old . . . yet . . .

[Nishi]

Hello..
I'm 23 years old and have always been interested in Kendo somehow
never got around to do it. And now I'm not sure if it's too late for me
to start because I know a lot of people start during their teens, and
if I do it I want to be GOOD. So is there anyone who can tell me
whether it's possilble to become amazingly good (say winning
tounaments) if one starts at such age. And how much time per week
is normally required to practise to become that good?

Please excuse my somehow naive questions.. thanks in advance

You can be good in 12 months, or you can suck after 12 years, its right down to you. Of course your own general level of coordination and motor skills will determine what you have to work with in the beginning. But, determined people almost always do well in kendo. As for your age, your probably younger than the average North American who starts kendo...your age is not an issue.

(I was 27)
Enjoy!

[Darknails]

Thanks to everyone who posted these messages! I started Kendo since two months ago and now becoming more and more involved, both physically and mentally. Though it took a year since I posted the original message, during which I felt I wasn't ready for it. Now I'm very focus and everyday looking forward to tame the shinai with my hands, making it do exactly what I want. All in all. I'm glad to have thought about it seriously and gave it a go. I've discovered a new world!