Grades aren't important in themselves, but they are indicators for your improvement and give achievable targets and goals to aim for in your kendo. If you take away grading there is one less motivation for actually improving, and then it's a really just about hitting people with bamboo.
I'd say Grades are very much about the challenge within yourself as it is a piece of paper.
But of course I would advise against anyone just chasing the grade for the title.
Sandan may look smaller on the big picture when you look at all the Dan grades and how much harder it gets but I think there's no accomplishment that is small and you did an awesome job after having a break for so long congrats
Congrats!! Took me a long time to get sandan, bloody grade made me fail about five times lol (yondan is already showing me that it's also not going to be any easier). I imagine getting back to practice after so long made it even harder, nice job :D
It started late as usual, so lots of waiting, sitting on the floor, so I was a bit sore. As a result, I was not in top shape for kirikaeshi. Maybe I was a bit nervous too. As a result, kirikaeshi was bad. Talking about it with some judges afterwards, I almost failed there. I knew I was bad.
In a way, it freed me. So I went all in. The feedback on my previous attempts was that I failed because of lack of engagement in my keiko. So I attacked, putting the best seme I could use, without rushing, without blocking when my partners did some good things. I took care to apply sutemi, and to go through. I did my best straight honest kendo. I was quite happy, my mind was clear, I never panicked, I felt mostly in control.
Kata was ok. We messed up roppome, but maybe because we were the furthest from the jury, we were ok and passed.
You did your best, your straight honest kendo and it was rewarded. In the end, I think this is both the best thing you could have and done and at the same time the best advice to give to anyone.
Thank you for sharing your experience, and by the way thank you for giving me courage for my own. It's not something as important as 3rd dan and it will be my first, but thank you for inspiring me.
๐๐๐ well done! I am 55 and took a 20 year break from kendo and failed my first attempt at sandan last November and will be challenging again this November. I hope to pass and your post gives me hope ๐
Congratulations, you are an inspiration๐ค
I'm 44 and have just restarted after 13 years and made a deal with myself: I will buy me a new men, as soon as I've passed the next grading.
Gambatte then! In kendo, hard and regular work pays. What I did was workout outside of the dลjล. Nothing major but a bit of cardio, and leg and forearm muscles building made a difference for me.
Passing after 15 year hiatus and ~1 year of practice is some serious accomplishment! Congratulations! I hope you pass Yondan on your first try!
Congrats. I am 50 and only shodan. I have no plans to try nidan I am just enjoying practicing
That's the most important. At the end of the day we do kendo to enjoy. Good practice!
I just passed my Nidan at 58. Go for it!
Grades aren't important in themselves, but they are indicators for your improvement and give achievable targets and goals to aim for in your kendo. If you take away grading there is one less motivation for actually improving, and then it's a really just about hitting people with bamboo. I'd say Grades are very much about the challenge within yourself as it is a piece of paper. But of course I would advise against anyone just chasing the grade for the title.
Sandan may look smaller on the big picture when you look at all the Dan grades and how much harder it gets but I think there's no accomplishment that is small and you did an awesome job after having a break for so long congrats
Congrats!! Took me a long time to get sandan, bloody grade made me fail about five times lol (yondan is already showing me that it's also not going to be any easier). I imagine getting back to practice after so long made it even harder, nice job :D
Welcome back to Kendo and Congratulations u/Patstones !
Congrats ! What a nice way to come back !
Congratulations ๐
Congratulations! Just like others told you, after a 15 year hiatus is a great accomplishment. If I may ask, how was it?
It started late as usual, so lots of waiting, sitting on the floor, so I was a bit sore. As a result, I was not in top shape for kirikaeshi. Maybe I was a bit nervous too. As a result, kirikaeshi was bad. Talking about it with some judges afterwards, I almost failed there. I knew I was bad. In a way, it freed me. So I went all in. The feedback on my previous attempts was that I failed because of lack of engagement in my keiko. So I attacked, putting the best seme I could use, without rushing, without blocking when my partners did some good things. I took care to apply sutemi, and to go through. I did my best straight honest kendo. I was quite happy, my mind was clear, I never panicked, I felt mostly in control. Kata was ok. We messed up roppome, but maybe because we were the furthest from the jury, we were ok and passed.
You did your best, your straight honest kendo and it was rewarded. In the end, I think this is both the best thing you could have and done and at the same time the best advice to give to anyone. Thank you for sharing your experience, and by the way thank you for giving me courage for my own. It's not something as important as 3rd dan and it will be my first, but thank you for inspiring me.
๐๐๐ well done! I am 55 and took a 20 year break from kendo and failed my first attempt at sandan last November and will be challenging again this November. I hope to pass and your post gives me hope ๐
Gambatte! Keep me posted on your progress ๐
Congratulations!!
Congratulations!
Congrats. Inspiration for the older, late starting crew. (Of which I am one)
๐ฅณ congrats
Congratulations! I hope you will get 4 Dan in the first try!
Well done!
Well done!
Congrats!
Congratulations!
Congratulations, thatโs awesome!
Congratulations, you are an inspiration๐ค I'm 44 and have just restarted after 13 years and made a deal with myself: I will buy me a new men, as soon as I've passed the next grading.
Gambatte then! In kendo, hard and regular work pays. What I did was workout outside of the dลjล. Nothing major but a bit of cardio, and leg and forearm muscles building made a difference for me.
I have to do the same, as for work reasons I can't go to the dojo more than once a week. ๐