[Roorseprate]

just curious.

[forumsfavoriteall]

Use the door.
Trust me on this; -they for some inexplicable reason,
frown highly upon rappelling down the roof,
crashing through an open window, commando style.

[ggandibazz]

I think any public event would protest if you showed up "commando".

[xFZ3k8Mw]

I think any public event would protest if you showed up "commando".

Sorry for the n00b question...does the shinai check come before or after the "under the hakama" check

[RjkVwPcV]

As a spectator - apply for tickets and pay the fee.........

As a competitor ;
be very, very, VERY GOOD!

[Abebpabeniemo]

I think any public event would protest if you showed up "commando". Except for kendo. A lot of Japanese kendoka, especially old timers, like the whole "commando" thing.

[Nutpoode]

Except for kendo. A lot of Japanese kendoka, especially old timers, like the whole "commando" thing.

It's the only way to TRULY practice Kendo...

FREEEEEEDOOOOOOOM!!!

[Japakefrope]

I think any public event would protest if you showed up "commando".

Surprising, my local Taco Bell seems to have no issues with this,

[Arexytece]

From the perspective of a n00b kendoka who doesn't have 10% of the skill required, and has never even tried out, but who has heard a few rumors about what it takes to be a comnpetitor, you need the following:

1) Be very very VERY good (as mentioned already).

2) Spend vast amounts of time (vacation from work) and some money to attend several rounds of tryouts first at regional levels, then at national levels.

3) Spend even more time (wait, I'm out of vacation time! my significant other wants to leave me! my family thinks I joined a cult!) to travel to special training sessions for the team, for the year or so leading up to the WKC.

4) Train so much and so hard that you "hate" kendo, or at least question why the heck you are doing all this, but keep going anyways.

Although, I think it really depends on what country you're in, because each country has the authority to decide themselves how they select team members to send. But I could be wrong.

Of course, as often happens on internet forums, my post here is just another case of someone talking about something they really know nothing about. Though maybe we'll get lucky and one of the folks who has actually competed will talk about their experiences. Or maybe not, and we'll just get another round of jokes

[WGfg4CCZ]

Each country sends a mens and womens team. The team is limited to 10 members, if memory serves. The selection process is up to each country. Countries with small populations usually rely on coach's choice, in other words you get recognized for how you are performing in training and in tournaments. In bigger countries it can be a more complicated process, involving national championships, special selection camps, etc.

Your best bet is to be living and training in an area with lots of opportunity for competition and coaching.

[veizKinquiz]

So.. It is considered a good thing if no less than five of the ten from my country was from my dojo?

(Oooh, I'm so gonna get flamed for this..)

[aaaaaaaabbbby]

Except for kendo. A lot of Japanese kendoka, especially old timers, like the whole "commando" thing.

So the next time I see an old kendo geezer on youtube doing kendo.....

GAH! MY EYES! THE IMAGE WONT GO AWAY!! HALP!

[SoOW2LeA]

okay you guys...lol not helping for the most part.
If I am doing kendo in the UNITED STATES, how do i get in? Do i just win big open tournaments in the US until someone scouts me? Cause that seems like a round about way of doing things.
Is there an open tournament held every 3 years(probably after wkc) that picks out who is going or not? Or do you apply for this huge program where you train with all hopeful applicants over time in order to decide the 10 to use? I'm kinda letting my imagination go a little.
enlighten me please

[snunsebrugs]

okay you guys...lol not helping for the most part.
If I am doing kendo in the UNITED STATES, how do i get in? Do i just win big open tournaments in the US until someone scouts me? Cause that seems like a round about way of doing things.

Win against your Sempai first.
Then go from there.
The rest will work itself out.

[moopogyOvenny]

Hmm, also, if your only 25 and just started Kendo... (been in bogu for a few months) and live in the U.S... well would you even have a chance, especially since you didnt start at age 6?

I know in the past I've said I'm not talented,but honestly I dont really know how "talented" I am, and I am tired of thinking about it. I'm more interested in the time factor and age factor...has anyone who started at my age made it in the U.S. WKC team?
Anyway, whatever the case is, I'm ok. Tired of being super competitive

[Golotop]

The process is pretty much the same for any activity you want excel in.
To get to the worlds you need to be in the top in you country.
(for America) to be the top in your country you need to be in the top in your region.
To be the top in you region you need to be the top in your state.
To be the top in you state you need to be towards the top in your club.

(By the top I don't mean number 1, but you need to be up there)

So those are obvious yard sticks.

How do you hit them?
1) Natural ability helps
2) Listen to what your sensei says
3) Implement what your sensei says
4) Go to Seminars
5) Go to competitions
6) Sacrifice on other activities not related to kendo, or which will hamper kendo development
7) Train at strong clubs and with stronger opponents
8) Go to Japan and train and a sports university for a couple of years
9) Luck
10) money
11) Focus
12) Commitment

[Qauunet]

So.. It is considered a good thing if no less than five of the ten from my country was from my dojo?

(Oooh, I'm so gonna get flamed for this..)

Mmm, mine too.

[ZXRamon]

If you've just started, you're looking at about 10 years of hard practice and showing some good results in big tournaments. By that time if you are a serious prospect you'll be well aware of the formal selection process, which may have changed by then.

You could also look at this thread or this older one.

[retrahdggd]

A kendo friend of mine from France (sandan) was told 2years ago that he was too old to make it into the national team...at the age of 24. (Although he still goes to the national squad practice by invitation.)

Find out what the US (or other) criteria are.

[Lxbsvksl]

I would worry about getting onto your regional federation team first before you set our sights on the world team. If you arent on the level to even be competitive at the US championships you can forget about the worlds. Since your from the US also you should ask yourself 'Do you practice kendo in california?' If not and being on the US team is a goal you may want to consider moving there.