Univerisity Championships @ Imperial College, London UK Mar 27, 2004
06.
Statistics
for participants in each division as follow (approx):-
Kyu = 30
Dan = 10
Ladies = 3 (!)
Team = 8x5-men team
So it was around 40 people fighting on the day. I was disappointed that
Oxford/Cambridge didn't send a team, or even an individual (ah com'on...).
Besides, the host, Imperial College, had 3 teams out of 8 in total on
the day. But then again, people weren't too informed about the event (I
only know about it 1 month before...)
Also the Ladies division was a bit sad... Should I blame this on other
universities not having handsome guys in their club? Hmmm.
07.
One important thing about kendo in university, especially in countries outside
Japan/Korea, is that you'll never get the amount of "youth"
from the same club. Everyone was around the same age and they progress
together.
08.
I suppose the majority of those in National Teams (not just the British
one) started around this age. Maximum amount of leisure time, maximum
level of energy - with their bodies still flexible.
So - university kendo is important to the growth of kendo in a western
country, should be treated seriously, and introduced to as many students
as possible!
(sorry it sounds like some essay... as I had long discussion with the
others before...)
09.
In case you didn't notice: by forming a club under the sports federation
of your own university means that YOU WILL GET FUNDING!
Been there, done that. The club at my univerisity can book the gym for
FREE, and also they said our registration for the national governing body
(British Kendo Association) will be paid by the student union as well.
Whoo-hoo!
10.
(You know the text here has nothing to do with the photo on the left, but it rather like commentary on the whole situation. Yeah, why not?)