April 11th
Saturday - Day 8
It’s become the norm for me to focus completely on Kendo Taikai (tournaments) and today’s events were typically full on. This time however I was not full on with refereeing duties, in fact, I only had to do the Women’s Individual and the Open Individual which gave me time to watch. What have I been missing!
The Immanuel College is a very prestigious private school in the suburb of Novar Gardens. It’s a Lutheran institution and promotes itself as a Sports College as well as it’s academic excellence. A number of photos of ex students who have done well on the National and International sport stages decorated the entrance to a huge sporting complex. Leyton Hewitt and his sister featured amongst the successful.
The venue was great and the decore and organisation by the S.A.Kendo Renmei was outstanding. And, it was their first National Championship as hosts. I chilled with a number of old friends and enjoyed talking to our kyu team (below Black Belt) as they entered the frey.
Glenda passed the day or three hours of it walking around the Shopping Centre but didn’t purchase much. Not surprising, she’s particular and becoming quite selective as she approaches retirement and a reduction in our income.
I spent a lot of time talking to colleagues from around the country about Kendo matters. I’m becoming concerned however at the number of “Veterans” who in our dialogue kept fixating on their age related ailments. Some remarked jokingly about not being as fast or recuperating as quickly as they could. Others almost whinged at their problems. It seems to me that as Elders of our discipline we should be presenting as good role models and personify the benefits of Kendo training and all it’s advantages. What image do we present as people who have practiced Kendo for most of our lives? Do you want to do Kendo and end up as a whinging old guy like them?
We have a responsibility.
We have a responsibility.
Glenda picked me up around 4.30 p.m. and we returned to our van for a quiet night. I phoned Tony Pickering, Kata partner to reassure him that I’d be there at 7.30 a.m. to pick him up at the airport. His wife, Andrea is pregnant and due in just over a week so I let him know that I’d be okay with him not coming. No way he’d miss it so tomorrow might have an extra level of stress.
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