Fencers Try to Keep Up with Kendōkas | SELF

We challenged a group of talented fencers to try to keep up with skilled kendōkas (kendo artists). Zimo, Tasha, and Cody train to complete three kendo challenges and combine them into a synchronized routine. Will Tasha tap into her kiai and find her war cry? How well can Zimo maintain his posture while striking? What similarities does Cody see between kendo and fencing? Find out as these amazing athletes try to keep up with their talented kendōka instructors, working together to adapt to new techniques.



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Fencers Try to Keep Up with Kendōkas | SELF

[mayflowers]

Tasha feeling scandalised about making a noise when attacking because it's a no in fencing is absolutely cute

[a-blivvy-yus]

"It felt like I was watching a Star Wars lightsaber fight" - in the original trilogy, the fight choreography was based on kendo, so that's not a surprise.

[chestersnap]

This is really cool! I find it interesting that Cody seemed to struggle the most with the first challenge. I wonder if his longer time fencing made it more difficult to switch to the different stances

[zlyntudteam]

soccer and american football players keeping up with each other would be so fun!! or archers and shooters or table tennis and tennis players could do it too!!

[willcookmakeup]

So cool to see an Olympian on an episode. It was interesting to see he struggled the most. But when you’re among the best in the world in discipline I’m sure it’s hard to break habitual and muscle memory things when trying something new

[adeleedyrssen]

It would be cool to see Archery vs Kyudo
Also for some lesser known sports, trick riding vs equestrian vaulting

[hauntedshadowslegacy]

1:22 For those who don't know, 'rei' is also used in Japanese classrooms at the start of class. One student leads the others in standing, bowing, and sitting. The verbal command to bow is 'rei'.

[whinto]

I want a follow-up series where the athletes all have a roundtable discussion about the differences, similarities, and nuance required between both sports.

[ddot]

I loved Tasha so much! She reminds me of how I was when I first started karate but it took me way longer to feel comfortable with the yelling. She did so good going against the two guys. Kendo seems very intense and deliberate. I loved the different phrases used and the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Well done!

[matthewdbickel]

The first Kiai in Japanese martial arts is always so special. It is the beginning of a journey to explore part of your spirit that maybe you never knew existed.

[kiapet]

This was really cool to watch! At first to my ignorant westerner sensibilities the whole thing looked kind of silly (doing large overhead strikes while yelling out exactly where you're going to hit, then continuing past the person with your back to them?) But then as they started to increase the speed and intensity and to introduce things like counter attacks and dodges, it became clear that this very much is a serious and competitive martial art, just one that uses slashing motions as opposed to fencing's piercing ones. It actually looks really fierce and difficult, not to mention fun, and I'm glad I was able to learn about it through this video.

[TheZGonzales]

I'm glad I saw this. I've met all 3 of these people at competition, they're all super nice and strong! :)

[mattattack]

I really liked the philosophy behind a score-able hit. It cant just be an accident, you have to intentionally swing, call out the shot, and land it before turning around. You cant accidentally score a point in Kendo and I think that matches the purpose of training to fight with a sword. You cant accidentally clip someone, your whole mind body and spirit have to behind the hit for it to count.

[nickcalingo]

Mom has some really great Kiai. Especially if I forget to wash the dishes.

[davidrancibia]

what impresess me the most is just how loud and strong they steps are, it echoes just as loud as their screams
they have to be quick but at the same time focus so much power when they charge

[pyehrra]

You can definitely see Cody's growth through the video. He seemed a little uncomfortable at first having to not only have a different stance but then also shout the movement. But once it was all applied you could see how confident he was at the end. It seemed like all the parts clicked together

[SF-loob]

I love how much they'd found their voice by the tournament.

[purpurr]

Kyudo x Modern Archery seems like a dope idea. Anyone else?

[briannadau]

Learned so much about Kendo today! This series continues to be superior

[LilithZephirus]

As a former kendo practitioner, that keiko was ✨chaotic✨ you don't really do keiko until a couple months at least, so I get why. This made me feel very nostalgic, I wish I had time to pick it up again.