Thread: 3rd Dan coming up

Quote from MikeT

Folks,
This weekend I sit my 3rd Dan in Kendo, I have wanted this for the last 25 years I've been involved with Kendo.
It allows me to pass my knowledge on to those younger than me.

We don't have "belts", they were only used in karate and other lesser "martial arts".

A friend of mind once said "There is no superior martial art, it's all in how you use it."

Man, that's awesome!

I've done a bit of kick boxing & karate and even some Judo when I was younger, but it's all too much for me.

I wish you the best for this w/end, MikeT... Hope to see a copy of the certificate floating around at some point

Good luck for the weekend Mike. Well done to staying focused for 25 years.

Best of luck Mike, knock'em dead and remember always beileve in yourself.

Quote from Marx

Hope to see a copy of the certificate floating around at some point

Damn am I sore!!
I had a little sleep after I came home from the grading, it hurts to even type at this point in time.

Stacey freaked out the other night, upon coming home from the day-shift at 9pm, seeing me in full Kendoka uniform (something she has never seen) concentrating on attacking a single cotton thread hanging from the rafters in this workshop.
Shinai placement is all important at this level of the craft.

Zuberi,
Sorry that was a faux-pas on my part, there is no such thing as a lesser martial art.
I did try karate when I was still at school, but I'm afraid that the idea of you being submissive to your teacher (Sensei), never really wore off on me that well.
At least with Kendo, you don't know who you are fighting (because there are no rank markings and once you have your "Men"(mask/shield) on you can't see their face either.

Marx,
You don't get a certificate, this isn't the education system, what you do get, is the kudos in being able to stand and fight and be proud of your efforts.
You can't put that on paper.

Just as a note, this event was shifted to Christchurch in the South Island.

It was supposed to be held in Wellington, in the North Island, some group of feminists and the Womens Refuse campaigned against it, mainly because it (get this) "could incite males watching it to be violent when they got home"

I'm tired, I'm sore all over, I need a hot bath and some sleep.
Thanks for your wishes, folks.

Mike T,
3rd Dan Kendoka/Instructor.

Congratulations, Mike.

I always found a Browning 9mm did the job better, but each to his own.

Quote from Percy

I always found a Browning 9mm did the job better, but each to his own.

Percy,
It is all about self-control and self-preservation.
Any idiot can use a hand-gun or rifle.
Those that learn to use the body's attributes are the real winners at the end of the day.

Wish I had the guts to do something like that , I guess at 46 , I am too old and flabby now
Well done , Mike , best of luck !!!

Ossymos - no way!

When I was doing my MA's there were guys in their 60s just starting up - slowly, sure, but they were starting.

Our sensia took everyone at their own pace.

I'd love to get back into it to be honest.... but I suspect I'd have a heart attack now if I tried.

Quote from ossymos

Wish I had the guts to do something like that , I guess at 46 , I am too old and flabby now

Nah, as Marx said, age is never a barrier as far as the martial arts go.
To be perfectly honest, all it takes is a good amount of self-esteem and the willingness to try something new.
Don't worry, the first few classes might be a shock to the system, but, so is starting anything else for the first time.
Mate, you'll never know if you don't try it, to not have a go would be the real shame.
So you're 48, I have fought against 1st Dan's of 65 years old
that have given me a bloody good run for my money.... and won!
Age means nothing in the martial arts, it is all about your attitude and what you are looking to get out of it.
It also has to be said, the more (or less) you put into a martial art the more (or less) you will get out of it.

Personally mate, I'm of the opinion "Go hard or go home"

Well done Mike, keep up the hard work !!!