Training session of Can Tho Kendo Club.
On a weekend afternoon at The Hunter MMA mixed martial arts training center in Cai Rang ward, dressed in their distinctive dark blue uniforms, the students focused on performing each movement under the guidance of coach Nguyen Hoang Minh Tam. Bamboo swords were swung continuously in rhythm with the movements, the clear shouts mingled with the stomping of feet on the training mat and the blows to protective gear, creating a lively atmosphere.
Despite being in operation for less than a year, with nearly 10 students regularly participating in training, the club maintains a regular training schedule on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings every week. Coach Minh Tam said: "Members come to Kendo hoping to experience this modern Japanese martial art and gradually become attached to the spiritual values it brings. Kendo teaches practitioners how to overcome their limitations, conquer fear and hesitation. Learners must learn to control their emotions, be proactive in all situations, and make decisive decisions."
According to Coach Minh Tam, the biggest obstacle currently is the low number of people in the local area who know about Kendo. In addition, training equipment such as bamboo swords, protective gear, and specialized accessories are quite expensive to invest in and must be purchased from large centers domestically or internationally.
However, Kendo's unique feature is its suitability for a wide range of ages, as the discipline emphasizes technique, concentration, reflexes, and body control. Therefore, young people can develop agility, discipline, and self-confidence, while older adults find mental balance, improved focus, and a healthy social environment.
Kendo student Le Huynh Nhat Nam said: "After more than 9 months of training, Kendo has helped me improve my health, become more decisive in my thinking, and more confident in my daily life."
During training, martial arts students are instructed in basic skills such as sword handling, movement, and maintaining distance, as well as offensive and defensive techniques. To be recognized as an effective strike in competition, a martial artist must not only perform the technique correctly but also demonstrate decisiveness, intense concentration, and a powerful demeanor.
Despite facing many difficulties and challenges, the Can Tho Kendo Club is striving to maintain its activities. The immediate goal of the club is to introduce the sport more widely to the community, gradually attract more participants, and build a foundation for long-term development.
Kendo is a martial art that developed from the traditional Japanese swordsmanship, Kenjutsu, around the 19th century. To date, more than 8 million people worldwide practice Kendo. The Kendo movement in Vietnam has flourished in the early years of the 21st century, and is now present in many provinces and cities such as Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, etc., with approximately 2,000 people practicing regularly. 2025 marks a significant milestone with the establishment of the Vietnam Kendo Federation, opening up opportunities for more professional development of this sport. |
Text and photos: HONG NHUNG
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/gieo-mam-kendo-tren-dat-tay-do-a207042.html
