The Spirit of the Sword. GNS Teen Triumphs in Kendo

Most sports come with at least a few transferable skills, those that serve you just as well in life as they do on the court or in the rink.

The Japanese martial art Kendo, is no exception. GNS Student Fiona Huang ’26 should know. She just placed first in her age category at the 4th annual Canadian National Junior Kendo Championships in Calgary in May. 

The Grade 11 student is currently ranked number one in Canada, in girls under 19.

The Victoria Kendo Club where Fiona trains describes Kendo as, “a Japanese martial art based on the use of the samurai sword. The primary purposes are to develop awareness, centeredness, wholeheartedness, endurance, concentration, respect for others, and self-confidence”.

Fiona more or less agrees. “When I was demonstrating Kendo at this Japanese festival here in Victoria, the announcer described it as getting hit with bamboo sticks, but with consent! At the time, I thought it was kind of a strange way to put it, but at the same time, I was like, yes, that’s kind of what it is!”

Fiona says Kendo involves sparring with an opponent in front of three judges in a three-minute match. The target areas include the head, the wrist, the arm and the stomach area. Whoever gets a good hit first, gets a point.

Participants get into the court in heavy protective gear, but even so, Fiona has collected some good bruises over the years. But she says they become a kind of badge of honour.

“I started when I was seven. And I would practice with other kids my age, but I guess we didn’t really get the notion that when we hit it’s supposed to be like a snap, so it doesn’t hurt as much because there’s a recoil—a bounce to it. But I don’t think as kids we really got that memo. And so I would show up after practice with bruises on my arms and I would cry to my mom. And I quit for a little bit. But I think after COVID, I tried again and yes, it hurts sometimes, but at the same time, it’s a learning experience and it’s part of the sport. When you do well, you see the bruises and you’re like, yes, the hard work paid off. It’s a tough experience, but in the end, it’s super rewarding.” 

Bruises aside, Fiona says she applies what she learns in the dojo to the real world every day.

“It grows you as a person because it’s a very humbling experience. There will be people that are three times as old as you, who can absolutely destroy you in a match, even though they might not be as strong mobility-wise, for example. It shapes you as a person in how it trains your mind to not give up. I think physical skill is part of it, there’s also the techniques and what you do. But it’s also just how focused you are. You could be super slow compared to someone else, but as long as you’re in complete focus and you’re able to react well to what they’re doing, it’s like a battle of the mind, rather than strength and speed.”

Her dedication to her sport has paid off with a first place finish in Calgary in May. “It was kind of surreal because I’ve come close to first, but I’ve never actually gotten the feeling of holding that trophy, and people saying your name and congratulating you after. It was—whoa!” 

Fiona has one more year at Junior Nationals before heading to university. She plans to keep working hard. “I’m going to keep practising hard and I guess devoting myself to what I do best. And then we’re going to try and win. It will be difficult, but we’re gonna try our best.”