Improvement Is About Hard Work and Effort

This past weekend I completed in the All California North/South Kendo Championship tournament, competing against the best in the State. Of the 37 competitors in my division, I got to the Elite 8, two points away from the medal podium, although I'm actually REALLY happy I made it that far, just couple years ago I was completely out of shape, overweight, winded just walking up a couple flights of stairs...

What is Kendo?

Kendo is a Japanese martial art, Samurai sword fighting practice. You compete with bamboo sticks and whack your opponent to score points with a proper strike to the head, hands, or torso. Typically a 4-minute match, whoever gets 2 points first wins. (below is a point I scored in a match last year, I'm on the right with the white tassel...)

My family traces its roots to samurai warriors that protected the Shogun, so it's more than just a sport, it's a family tradition. I started learning when I was 8-years old, got Black Belt as a teen, dropped out for decades only to pick it back up 3-years ago when I got my youngest involved. He's now 12, got to compete in the Junior National Championships last year, so he's working his way up the ranks.

Being a Blackbelt is More Than Knowledge and a Skill

In Asian martial arts, advancing to the rank of Blackbelt is more than just taking classes and attaining a title after a few months. To advance to the rank of Blackbelt takes years of practice and face-to-face combat with others to prove your skill at a certain rank level. It's overcoming mental and physical obstacles to truly be the best in the art.

As a Samurai, it's being prepared to sacrifice your life to protect your warlord. It's about winning and losing with honor, dignity, and integrity.

My Journey These Past Two Years

As I've gotten myself off the couch and away from the computer screen a couple times a week, my return to Kendo has been to prove I'm still worthy to be called a Blackbelt. I got beaten in the first round of every tournament I competed in for my entire first year back in the sport. Last year (year 2 of my return) I won my first bout at each tournament. The second half of the year I made it past two bouts scoring decisive wins. And at the tournament this weekend, I got to the Top 8 in my division, in my mind a huge accomplishment.

More Practice, More Development

Each week I work to strengthen my skills and moves to get a notch better so that each month at a tournament, I'm even more disciplined, skilled, and competitive against my opponents.

But win or lose, at the end of each match, I run over to my competitor, thank them for the battle and recognize them for their skills. I then reflect on my performance and what I can do the next time as I work to do better and be better in my journey.

Wrap-up

My return to Kendo is no different than anything else I've done in life. Everything has been about working hard, getting better, living with honor and integrity, not worrying about being crowned the best but simply knowing what I'm doing every day is one (or more) steps better than I did before.

I'm enjoying the mental challenge, and I most certainly have shaved a few inches off my midsection. And now I run up and down stairs without getting winded, I'm sure I've added a few extra years to my life in the process, something I know my wife and family appreciate.