On to new goals

Top kendoka (someone who practices kendo) of the Ken Yu Kai Kendo Dojo may be feeling down after their chance to represent South Africa was scrubbed, but there is much still to work towards, said the president of the dojo.

The Bryanston dojo had cause to celebrate when three of its members were selected to compete at the European Kendo Championships.

Natalie Morris, Sebastian Holscher and Michael Grice (SA team coach) would have represented South Africa during the month of April and sparred their way to success on Norwegian soil if the coronavirus pandemic had not forced authorities to cancel the event.

“Covid-19 has single handily rearranged the dynamics of daily life, ambitions and training schedules,” said the dojo’s president, Holscher.

“In the times of Covid-19, the concept of day-to-day training, aspirations for international competition and the representation of one’s country, changes on a minute-by-minute basis.”

He said the European Kendo Championships had acted as a ‘beacon’ for nationally-selected competitors around the world to meet together.

“With the event being cancelled, the world on lockdown, the South African team and various dojos sought to adapt, overcome and embrace challenges associated to the disappointing news of cancellations, flight restrictions and the new goal of 2021’s Kendo World Championships held in France.”

He said due to this, performance pressure had been extended to next year and it was important for kendoka to feel like they were moving forward in their daily development despite the lockdown.

Holscher said he completed 1 000 suburi (dedicated strikes or practice swings) on his balcony, does home cardio and focuses on visual training though kendo videos as well as mokuso (silent meditation) every day.

“Continuous training is essential,” he added.

Holscher remains focused on working towards the World Championships and his impending 5th Dan black belt grading.

Details: Ken Yu Kai Kendo Dojo info@kenyukai.co.za