After a seven-year hiatus from Kendo due to my wrecked shoulder from 2014. My journey back into Kendo has been far from straightforward! The medical-legal system had its share of delays and frustrations, but eventually, I found a brilliant surgeon who identified a posterior split labrum (previously missed by 4-5 other 'experts'). This was completed in 2021 and required three stitches to fix the joint. I was also suffering longhead bicep tendinopathy, leading to a biceps tenodesis surgery in February this year.
Mid-2022 marked my return to Kendo and while I was slowly regaining my fitness, I had to take another break for the second operation, meaning I'm currently back rebuilding kendo endurance. Running also brought its share of injuries, but I'm hopeful that my shoulder is on the path to recovery.
One of the most embarrassing aspects of my return was how much Kendo terminology and kata I had forgotten. It felt like starting from scratch. Yet, the joy of being back on the dojo floor far outweighed the initial awkwardness.
One noticeable change since my return is the impact of age on my practice. Even though I had stayed fit through other sports, Kendo has a way of reminding me of the years that have passed. Using a wrist strap allowed me to resume practicing chudan, making my return to Kendo all the more satisfying.
In the end, my journey back to Kendo has tested my patience and determination, its also an eye opener to see a lot of my 2014 peer group are now 4-5th dan and dojo leaders (no surprise thinking about it). While I may not be as agile as I once was and I'm unsure if I'll ever reach my pre-2014 level. The love for the art keeps me going, maybe one day I'll reach 4th dan?
