剣道日本2023年２月号の「海外実力派剣士」に登場いただいたのは、イギリスチームのキャプテンを務めているジェームス・オグルさんです。英文を掲載します。
What do you do in your daily work?
Soft Tissue Therapist
How old were you when you started kendo and why did you start?
19 years old.
I did karate when I was a child (my father is 6th Dan in karate) and I was trying to find a karate club at University, but they only had kendo. I decided to try kendo instead and have been continuing ever since.
What do you find attractive about kendo?
The style of movement, the technical aspects but also the idea of continuous self improvement.
Is there anyone in your family who plays kendo?
My wife – she is a European silver medalist!（2022）
How many times a week and where do you practice?（Name of the dojo you belong to）
4 or 5 times a week, my dojo is called Denshinkan（伝真館）and I also train at another called Akai Ryuu（赤い龍）.
Have you participated in any world championships? Have you won any prizes in World championships?
I have participated in 3 World Championships and 5 European championships. Unfortunately I haven’t won any prizes yet.
What did you feel after participating in international championships?
Many things! Often I was frustrated for feeling I could have performed better, also pride for my team members or my wife who did achieve something or win a medal.
What are you proud of in kendo?
My wife’s achievements, but also my kendo clubs developments and it’s members and what they have achieved.
Do you have hobbies other than kendo?
I enjoy art, miniature painting and sculpting in my spare time.
What are your future goals in kendo?
I am still aiming to win the European kendo championships. I will also challenge my 6th Dan exam next year.
Do you have any kenshi（剣士）whom you look up to as your goal (target) and why?
There are quite a few. My main influence and inspiration has always been Honda Sotaro（本多壮太郎）Sensei, from Fukuoka University of Education（福岡教育大学）. He has been my sensei and has helped me with my kendo since I started. Other famous influences are Kunitomo Rentaro-san（國友鍊太朗）, I really like his kendo style and was very happy when he won the All Japan Championships.