Tengu Cup 2014
Shjo, having to think back to something that had happen almost 2 years ago is a lot harder than you might think. Since our website got a breath of fresh air, I have been trying to inform old and potential new members about most of our adventures in kendo, be it in the dojo our someplace else.
The Tengu Cup of 2014 was a big thing for myself and I'm sure Marcas too. Neither of us had competed internationally before and we were still dreaming big, of being part of the SA team and one day going out into the world to do kendo. I remember the night we were asked to be part of the team that SA was sending over to Frankfurt. It felt almost surreal, and the excitement was unbearable. How some of the other members financed this expedition I'm not too sure about, but I know that I was basically crawling around on my knees begging my parents for some financial support. I was very fortunate that they were so understanding and supportive, because on the same night I was able to tell Andre that I was in all the way.
Committing to something like this takes a lot out of a person, and really brings into focus how you sometimes have to make extra time for kendo. Training for Tengu cup took place in Johannesburg on every other night and on Saturday mornings. It took a lot of effort having to drive to Johannesburg and back on a regular basis while not neglecting studies of any kind. The effort was worth it though, with the guidance that Brendan gave to our team before departing I could actually feel a difference in my own personal level of kendo.
The actual trip and tournament was a blast. A part of our group arrived in Frankfurt the Friday before the competition and had the whole day free to explore Frankfurt and enjoy the local culture, drinking beer at local beer gardens, enjoying the most wonderful market that had everything from food, cheese, meat and drink in it. Until finally at 22:00 at night (the sun was still shining) when we finally settled in to our accommodation at the competition venue. The next day flew by as the excitement took over. There were so many countries present at the tournament and so many kendoka. I had never seen so many kendoka gathered in one place at the same time.
Warm-up and training was electric with so many faces and voices chiming in at the same time. The competitions were also of a different caliber all together. Even though we had trained and gave it our all, our kendo was not yet of such a level that we managed to progress further than the round-robbin stages. But the experiences that we learnt will stay with us forever. The team event was just as exciting facing off against some very strong opponents. And before we even knew it the day was over, and the fun was about to start.
Apparently, to all the locals the Tengu Cup is seen as a fun competition with the social event of the year that follows, and it is this social event that everybody makes the trip for. And what a fun time that was, there were tables filled with salads, sides and meat all for free (that might sound a bit shallow, but to a bunch of South Africans with our wonderful Rand, free food and drink was like a gift from heaven). I also had never seen the salad table outranking the meat stand, coming from a country where our national vegetable is chicken, seeing so many men eating all kinds of salads was a bit weird. The food though was amazing, and the company even better.
We made so many new friends, and I finally understood what the other seniors speak about when they talk about the friends that you make. We are all birds of the same feather, and you never had to worry about fitting in. After a bout of wonderful food, and drinks, it was time for bed...HA what bed. That night a soccer match was going on (who against who I didn't know) but a big screen was erected on an open wall and everyone cheered and enjoyed the match while us poor South Africans tried to get some shut eye.
The next day we got ready to pack and move back to central Frankfurt while observing the gradings that took place. It was sad to think that all that preparation and money only got you one day of brilliant kendo, but in the end it was worth every minute and cent.
My journey was unfortunately cut short compared to that of my teammates. I only had the weekend to spend in Frankfurt, on the Monday I had to fly back early due to tests and studying. The others had a chance to train in Frankfurt with the local dojos, including Kumpf sensei's dojo. I wish i could have stayed longer but in the end all good things must come to an end.
So this is more a formality: but the whole experience was thanks to Kumpf's sensei who extended the invitation for a South African team, as well as Kumpf sensei and his wife that were able to pick us up from the airport and provide us with bedding for the stay at the venue.
Hopefully a Tengu team will become a regular feature from now on, and all I can say is that if you ever get an invitation to attend, do not hesitate It is worth it all the way.
For another perspective (one that was typed up closer to the event) please read the article posted by san-kawa members Grant, Kimberly and Lerato
