What ever happened the Les Deniston, the cigar-smoking Glaswegian Kendoka?
 

Was re-watching "Way of the Warrior" the other day (which is ageing well BTW) and was wondering, whatever happened to that handsome and somewhat Thom Yorke-ish looking ranga with the penchant for stogies?

He seemed pretty serious about his kendo back in the 70s. He'd be 7 dan today surely. Is he still training?

b

Les is still in Kyoto. I see him every now and again when he plays in a Gaelic band at the Hill of Tara pub. He doesn't train in kendo any more, and hasn't doen for many years on account of his bad knee. He gave me all of his shinai once when I was a student. Great old fella.

He was great on that BBC special from the 80s. Shame he wasn't able to continue practicing.


cigar smoking in japan seems to be scientifically proven to improve your kendo. or so im told.

I was watching that a few weeks ago and wondered about him. It must be so frustrating to have your passion shattered by injury-that's the problem with doing physical disciplines. Knee replacements are possible-I've seen miraculous recoveries after this type of surgery-far from normal, but usable recovery.

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/att...2&d=1282672267
Here's Les a few years back at the "Hill of Tara" in Kyoto.