Tell us about yourself
I recently moved to Sydney from Cairns and am currently in my second year of uni studying medicinal chemistry at the University of Sydney. I would like to continue with postgrad research if possible. At the moment I am 6th kyu.
How long have you been practicing Kendo and why did you begin?
I’m coming up to 6 months of practicing kendo. To be honest, the reason I began Kendo is because there was no Karate club at uni. I’ve been interested in Kendo since I was small so when I saw the stall at O-Week I decided right away that I wanted to try it out.
What do you like about Kendo and what do you get out of training?
Kendo (despite how it looks) is so relaxing! I can just clear my mind and focus on the training. I also find that it builds so many skills which can be used not just in training, but also in everyday life which makes so many things in life much easier.
What are your thoughts on reaching the next level of training?
It’s a great feeling. I’ve reached so many milestones in my life already and I’ll always be reaching the “next level” of something whether it’s Kendo, Karate, education or anything else in life but every single time, I’ve felt a rush of excitement.
Has your opinion of Kendo changed since you began?
Not particularly, however I didn’t expect the amount of time I put into maintaining my equipment.
Is there anything else you would like to say about your Kendo experience?
I’m not too sure whether this is specific to our club or Kendo players in general but everyone has been far more friendly and welcoming than I expected. It’s been such a great experience for me and I hope to continue training with everyone well into the future.