KENDOJIDAI 2024.10
Composition: Teraoka Tomoyuki
Photography: Nishiguchi Kunihiko
Translation: Hoshino Maki
From conquering the All Japan Kendo Championship during his university days to representing Japan on the global stage twice, Takenouchi Yuya has emerged as the cornerstone of Japan’s kendo team.
“Am I truly worthy of bearing the flag of Japan?”
In this exclusive, we explore Takenouchi’s inner struggles with national representation and the relentless pursuit that led to world victory in Italy.
“Remove Me from the Candidates List”
The Resolve and Conviction Behind the Words
– This marked your third victory at the World Kendo Championships (WKC). How did it feel to achieve this milestone?
“When the championships ended, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief in our victory. Now, a month later, I’m fully focused on preparing for my next goal.”
– Was there anything different about this WKC compared to the previous two?
“Between the Japan and Korea WKCs, I didn’t notice a significant difference. But this time, experiencing the passionate support of the European fans, I felt for the first time, ‘This is what a WKC truly is.’ It was then that I fully grasped the immense scale and impact of the event. I couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious, wondering what kind of atmosphere would greet us when it was finally our turn to step onto the floor.”
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