Grow up, grow

Yesterday at Taipei Kendokan we had a shiai-geiko. I fought two matches and lost all... The first against Chung-Li Lin (林正立) (0-1) and the second against a visitor Wong (翁) (0-2) from San-Shin (三星) Kendokan in Yi-Lan.

In my first match, we held equal for a long while until I attempted a men strike at close distance, and Chung-Li was able to make a kaeshi-do. When I think back, I should have just striked with my foot at the same spot instead of making a step forward, because I could reach his men already and moving forwards only slowed me down, and also sent a signal to my opponent.

Feedback from Ho Sensei:

• strikes and postures all looked good, but timing wasn't right, because I haven't trained for a while.
• find every possibility to strike.

This a good occasion to think about how to improve the competitiveness of my kendo. In training I should:

• observe the weaknesses of my opponents.
• use their weaknesses.
• use more continuous strikes.

Though I haven't lost so badly for a while, and maybe I should feel more ashamed than I did. But actually I'm more motivated to build up more shiai experiences and become strong.

Back from the camp

Many friends aboard wrote me about the aftermath caused by the typhoon. I want to tell everyone that my family and I are very fine, since we live far away from the most affected area. Watching the news reports on the lives and homes that have been lost, I feel very fortunate to live unaffected.. If you can please donate for those whose homes have been lost..

Today was my first training in a month, and I went to the Hsinchu Kendokan. My goal was to do good basics and let my body recall the movements. I didn't disappoint myself, though my speed wasn't fast. It was the first time I fought as the motodachi during the jigeiko until the end without break. Obviously in this climate, my head felt so much cooked towards the end of the training.

Most of my opponents were less experienced than I am, so I got to practise some wazas, and some uchikomi-geiko towards the end of each jigeiko. The foot-stomp of my hiki waza is still too light, so the overall sharpness of the technique is lacking.

A short break

No training since the start of this month.. and there's nothing I can do about it - because I'm in the 3-weeks compulsory military training! Next week will be the last one. Finally! It's like a prison in the base. Extremely boring and full of nonesenses. Really bad for the brain..