What to do about a Kendo bully?

I am a beginner student, barely into my third year of Kendo. I have not taunted anyone or been mean, but a guy seems to have singled me out to pick on.

He is years older, more experienced, and much bigger than me, and I find it a bit ridiculous that he picks on me.

It used to be that he would just taunt me, (my being a preteen girl might have something to do with it) and irritate me a bit. Now, it has gotten worse.

He has started hitting me really hard when we train. I realize that you are supposed to feel a strike through your armor, but he was literally beating on me.

It hurt through the men, he almost knocked me over with the do, but the kote was the worst. This guy wasn't hitting me on the wrist. He was hitting me on the knuckles, time after time, and I gather that it was on purpose.

It got so bad that it hurt to hold the shinai,not to mention bending the knuckle. This was my last practice before Christmas break, and break was halfway finished before it got much better.

However, I am not sure whether I should tell Sensei. When he was just taunting me, I mentioned something to Sensei. I was told that he is an OK guy, respect my elders, all that.

Whenever I have brought it up since then, I get the same answer. I am not sure if I should bug him again. Should I talk to Sensei, or just take my beating?

The bully is not there every practice, he just visits occasionally. What should I do? I would really appreciate an answer.

Answer: Thank you for your question. This is seen everywhere so it is very important for all of us to know what to do. And due to the limit of words we can write in one comment, I will make a comment to reply to you. OK?