Sanada Hiroyuki
Born in 1995 in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. After graduating from Kyushu Gakuin Junior and Senior High School, he attended the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya. Upon graduation, he joined the Kanagawa Prefectural Police. His achievements include winning the Division I Team Championship at the National Police Kendo Championships, placing third individually on two occasions at the same tournament, and competing in the All Japan Kendo Championship. He holds the rank of 6th Dan in Kendo.
A Place on the National Team After Ten Years of Pursuit
The First Asia-Oceania Kendo Championships will be held over two days, on May 30 and 31, 2026. More than 20 countries affiliated with the Asia-Oceania Kendo Federation are expected to participate in the event. With powerhouse nations such as South Korea, which has long been one of Japan’s fiercest rivals on the world stage, and Australia, which has made remarkable progress in recent years, already confirmed to participate, Japan is expected to face a tough challenge in the tournament.
Among the athletes selected to represent Japan is Sanada Hiroyuki, one of the leading competitors of the Kanagawa Prefectural Police. This will be his first appearance at an international championship as a member of the Japanese national team.
“When I received a phone call from Hirao Yasushi Sensei (Head Coach of the Japan Men’s National Team and Chief Kendo Instructor of the Metropolitan Police Department) at the end of February, he told me, ‘You have been selected to compete in the Asia-Oceania Championships’ and ‘I’d like you to do your best as a member of the team from here on.’ Honestly, I could barely process what he was saying. All I managed to reply was, ‘Thank you very much. I look forward to working with you,’” Sanada recalled.
Competing against some of the country’s most accomplished Kendo practitioners, he had naturally wondered whether he would earn a place on the team. However, the call from Coach Hirao removed any uncertainty. There was only one thing left to do.
“After that phone call, my resolve was set. I would be carrying the Hinomaru on my back.”
To “carry the Hinomaru” is a phrase often used in Japan to describe the responsibility of representing one’s nation. At the moment his long-held dream became reality, Sanada felt the weight of that responsibility more vividly than ever before. What came first was not joy, but a profound sense of duty. The burden and pride of representing Japan is something only those who have experienced it can truly understand.
Sanada was first invited to join a national-team training camp as a candidate athlete during his third year at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya.
“When I was invited to my first national team training camp, I found myself surrounded by athletes with incredible achievements. I felt frustrated because I wasn’t able to stand out among them,” Sanada said.
“At the time, I knew I still lacked the necessary ability, and part of me felt that it couldn’t be helped. But at the same time, I was disappointed with myself for not being able to make the impression on the coaches and instructors that I had hoped for.”
Watching his juniors and peers excel on the international stage at the 17th World Kendo Championships in 2018 and the 19th World Kendo Championships in 2024, Sanada felt mixed emotions. While he genuinely wanted them to succeed, he also felt frustrated that he was not there alongside them.
“I realized that the only thing I could do was continue to improve and prove myself through results,” he said, renewing his determination.
Last year, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police captured the team title at the National Police Kendo Championships for the first time in 15 years. It was Sanada who turned the tide in his team’s favor with a crucial point during the preliminary round. He also finished third in the individual division, firmly establishing his presence within the highly competitive world of police Kendo. Those results over the past year undoubtedly played a role in his selection for the national team.
“I wasn’t fully satisfied with my results because I failed to qualify for the All Japan Kendo Championship. However, since entering the world of police Kendo, I had never achieved this level of success before…”
Even while reflecting on his accomplishments, Sanada spoke with the mindset of an athlete who still sees himself as a work in progress. Yet earning a place on the team for the Asia-Oceania Championships has clearly given him added confidence.
“Being selected has certainly given me confidence, but this is only a milestone, not the goal. Coach Hirao, Coach Teramoto, and Coach Uchimura all told me that this is merely a stepping stone, and I completely agree. Now that I have been given this opportunity, I want to perform well and become a driving force behind Japan’s victory.”
Sanada has been entered in the team competition. With his international debut now approaching, his focus is on one thing alone: contributing to the success of Team Japan and helping secure the championship title.
Flexibility in Thinking Is Essential for Creativity and Improvement
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