2024.9 KENDOJIDAI
Photography: Nishiguchi Kunihiko
Composition: Yanagida Naoko, Teraoka Tomoyuki
Translation: Hoshino Maki
Overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 19th World Kendo Championships were held in Milan, Italy, for the first time in six years. The event drew participants from 61 countries and regions worldwide.
Japan aimed for victory in all four categories—men’s and women’s individual and team championships. On the first day, Team Japan triumphantly swept the Women’s Individual Championship, claiming all four medals, with Kondo Mihiro from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department taking the crown. Building on this momentum, Japan also excelled in the Men’s Individual Championship held on the third day, capturing the top four spots—a remarkable achievement not seen since 1994, 30 years earlier. Hoshiko Keita, also from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, claimed the world championship title, marking his first-ever victory in the WKC individual division. In both the men’s and women’s team championships, Japan faced Korea in the finals and emerged victorious, once again reclaiming their place at the top of the world.
Men’s Team Final
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