Welcome back to the USYD Kendo interview. This time, we invited two of the most remarkable members in 2017 beginners. Remember them? Tanya and Tanton won the most remarkable prize for 2017 semester 1 beginners in the cocktail party. This time, let them to introduce Kendo training and talk about USYD Kendo club.
Still remember them?
Me: Hello, Tanya and Tanton, can you introduce yourself firstly?
Tanya: Hey, I’m Tanya and I’m in my first year of uni and I’m studying a Bachelor of Laws!!
Tanton: My name is Tanton Nguyen, and I am a second-year science student, majoring in psychology and plant science! My hobbies include skating, sewing and now Kendo!
Me: Cool, may I ask why did you start and continue doing Kendo?
Tanya: I started Kendo because I found it really interesting after my curiosity was walking past the PCYC in Burwood where people were practising it so I thought I’d try it out. Also when I was younger I did karate but I quit really quickly so I wanted to redeem myself.
Tanton: I met one of the seniors, Christopher Chon, early in the semester and he told me all about kendo. The main thing that drew me to it was the opportunity for self-development. I enjoy the philosophy of kendo, with the self-awareness and discipline it encourages. Also, it is very refreshing to let out all your stress with a loud kiai during training!
Alongside this, I am grateful to take part in Japanese culture. The aspects of tradition and history are very interesting to me and I appreciate it very much.
And most importantly, through Kendo I have met good friends, who I am able to train alongside and hopefully someday compete against! (Watch out Michael and James!) Being part of a community with strong work ethic and common goal has been a great experience.
Me: Wow! You really have good understanding of Kendo now. Do you have any expectation for your future training?
Tanya: I expect future training will get harder and that it’ll be a long time before I get on any level to effectively spar with anyone but I look forward to the challenge. I also heard that your basics more or less disappear after you get Bogu so I might wear it around to the house to get used to the weight?? I look forward to interacting with all the seniors that I see loitering around after training who I’m too shy to talk to right now.
Tanton: As always, I want to learn. Learn how to better my kendo, and how to better myself. It’s important to learn lessons from training and apply them to your life. We haven’t started Bogu training right now but I’m beyond excited to enter that phase of training.
I am very grateful to be a part of this amazing community.
Me: Thank you very much!
Through a training lesson from USYD Kendo, you can find easily why everyone loves it.
Here are some photos showed by Tanya and Tanton about their Kendo training.
Tanton: After changing and prepare to enter Dojo…..with my slide plate.
Paolo just arrived and caught by my camera 😛
During the training. As semester 1 beginners did’t recive their Bogu yet, they have to help each other with blocking by shinai. Kihon (basic) is very important!
When lesson finished and time to leave Dojo. However, semester 1 people will have Kendo exam by our club to test what they’ve learned in this semester. They still have many questions to ask Ervin, our instructor. Good luck for them!
After their tutorial time, I finally find a chance to take photo on our interviewee. Hello Tanya and Tanton, how is your feeling after training?
Tanton (left): Oh, I feel so tired after 2 hours training…
Tanya (right): Eh, too weak
After training, tired and prepare to go home. We usually spend some good time in the cafe in Aquatic Center to chat with friends.