Regarding the first question: you start at 30. Persist for 20 years and reach maybe 5dan. By 50 you will be able to compete in the master division at the US Nationals. And no reason you can't do well there then!

I started at 52, now i'm 60 and in few months I'll attend for sandan. I am satisfied if I squeeze a bit of sweat from opponents three times younger than I am, and I often do.

Thanks so much for all that you do for the Kendo community.

I'm not trying to speak for those with "expert" Kendo experience, but I hope I can share some useful experience based on my age. I started at 53 and I"m hanging just fine with folks half my age who have been training longer than me. I try to go to training class at least twice a week, but I do swings every day with my Suburi Shinai and try to read and watch videos on Kendo often (Thanks to The Kendo Show!). I also have a training partner (my son) who I practice with on days we don't have class. He's also progressing much faster than others in class. I'm not trying to compete at the National Level, but I think it's possible for anyone that commits to more time to Kendo.

I started at age 47. I'm dragging trying and trying for 3 dan for 2 years. Now 57.

New to kendo and just got your Kachi synthetic kendogi/hakama from Kendostar. I'm surprised at how unpopular Kendo is in the west, your channel definitely deserves more views, love all the stuff you put out Andy!

Inspiring Work you do for the Kendo Community !!

There really needs to be a competition that is just an open.... but something tells me the people who do kendo don’t want that so newbies don’t win lol

Thank you 👍👍!!

Do you have a video of this gold do with arrows? It sounds like the most gaudy premium skin ever.

that last question was brilliant and I guess many know that situation pretty good. I know I've had my fair share of shiai vs. that type of enemy and it's really tough to score solid points because they seem react to nothing at that stage. Not easy to setup a waza if the other guy is just randomly throwing swings at you. Andys advice is spot on imo, watch and read their movements... sometimes it's also pretty easy to get them right after they completed a swing.

Hi sensei, I was wondering if you have recommendations for removing scuffs from the do. Normally, I wouldn't mind but I have a few large scuffs across the front of the dodai that look pretty bad. Any remedy or is that the cost of doing kendo? Thank you

8:06 is there really no such word as gi? I practice jujitsu (japanese and brazilian) as well as judo, and the word gi is very widespread. I've heard people use the term "judogi" before, to refer specifically to a judo specific gi. I've also definitely read the term "aikidogi" as well.