There is no doubting that in just my 3 months of study so far that my balance, focus, strength and endurance have improved significantly. All of these factors

There is no doubting that in just my 3 months of study so far that my balance, focus, strength and endurance have improved significantly. All of these factors in themselves will probably make me better prepared to stand up to an attacker in a dark alley than I was before I started the study. However, the finer techniques of grip and striking style - while beneficial for honing and improving all of the above, have little relevance in a street fight situation. But even if my Kendo study gives me the balance and a millisecond better reaction time to be able to pivot out of harms way and dodge a blow, and if it gives me the endurance to run the heck away from a danger scenario, then it is all worthwhile.