Probably my initial exposure to kendo was as a spectator at the 1 st European Kendo Championships, Bletchley Leisure Centre, Milton Keynes on 14th April 1974. Great Britain came first in the team event and M. Todd of G.B. won the individual title. I still have the program signed by all six representatives of the Japanese delegation.

Later, whilst working abroad, I joined the Singapore kendo Club, in January 1976, under the direction of Mr. Lim Kwa Chwee. During this time we had a visit from the 9th Japanese Cruise ship and also a seminar and grading under Ogino Sensei and Hirakawa Sensei. I also remember training at the top of the control tower of the Old Changi Airport and sweating buckets. No amount of cold tea and coke, at the end of training, seemed to quench the thirst.

In September 1984, I joined Eishinkan. Many other members of Shindokwai Kendo Club were also members of this dojo. Still as always, our dojo is led by Jock Hopson and we are fortunate to have Ishida Shizufumi Sensei from Kanagawa Prefecture as our Meiyo Shihan. Even after all this time I still get excited that it's Wednesday and the dojo is open. My thanks to all those who have helped to get me this far and will I hope stay with me for the next few hurdles.