Dear Canadian Kendo Federation members, friends, and supporters,

We are well into the year 2025 and belatedly, on behalf of the Canadian Kendo Federation and the Board of Directors, I wish you, your family, and the dojo a Happy New Year, filled with joy, health, and success.

2024 was an eventful year for CKF, including the 19th World Kendo Championships which brought excitement and joy to many thanks to the hard work of Team Canada.

In addition to that, there were many events CKF participated or sponsored in 2024

Feb 18-23: Team Canada Training Camp in Japan (Oita, Japan)
Mar 26-31: 51st Kaiseiki National High School Kendo Tournament (Akita, Japan)
May 18-19: Canadian Junior National Kendo Championships (Vancouver, BC)
June 8-10: Team Canada Training Camp in Japan (Osaka, Japan)
July 1: FIK Board of Directors Meeting (Milan, Italy)
July 2: FIK General Assembly (Milan, Italy)
July 4-7: 19th World Kendo Championships (Milan, Italy)
Aug 24-26: Canadian National Iaido Seminar and Exam (Vancouver, BC)
Sep 21: CKF Annual General Meeting (Online)
Dec 14~15: All Japan Student Kendo Open Tournament (Miyagi, Japan)

Already in the first two months of 2025, events have taken place all across the country and I look forward to continued growth of our community.

Sincerely,

Hyun-June Choi
President, Kendo Canada

18th Pacific Northwest Intercollegiate Kendo Tournament – January 18, 2025

University of Victoria Kendo Club hosted the 18th Pacific Northwest Intercollegiate Kendo Tournament. Teams from University of Washington, Simon Fraser University and UBC as well as hosts University of Victoria participated in a memorable tournament.

Intercollegiate Kendo Tournament – January 26, 2025

University of Waterloo Kendo Club hosted the 2025 Intercollegiate Kendo Tournament.  It was attended by teams from across Ontario, McGill University from Quebec as well as from Michigan State University.

With over 200 students and alumni competing, it was a testament to the growth of university kendo in Canada. This year, Carleton University Kendo Club (Ottawa, Ontario) made history, winning their first Intercollegiate Tournament. 

61st Annual Steveston Tournament – February 8, 2025

Steveston Kendo Club hosted this annual event, attended by clubs/dojos from across Canada and the West Coast of US. Congratulations to Whistler Kendo Club (Whistler, BC) on the Team Championship.

Congratulations to Terry Kondo sensei for continuing the tradition and success of this tournament as well as succeeding Ray Murao sensei as head instructor of the historic Steveston Kendo Club.

This March 29–31, 2025, Junior Team Canada – U18 Boys – will represent our nation at the prestigious Kaiseiki High School Tournament in Akita, Japan. For these young athletes, this is more than just a competition—it’s a chance to showcase their dedication to the sport of kendo on an international stage. Last year, Junior Team Canada made an unforgettable impression with their dynamic and gritty performance, earning the admiration of spectators and competitors alike. This year, with five returning players and a renewed determination, the team is ready to aim higher, push harder, and exceed expectations.

Under the Canadian Kendo Federation, the Junior Team Canada Program selects young talents, offering them national-level training and the chance to experience high-level competition both domestically and internationally.

But they can’t do it alone. Your support is the key to making this dream a reality. Donations will help cover travel expenses, accommodations, equipment, and training costs, allowing the team to focus on what they do best—representing Canada with honour and pride.

By supporting Team Canada’s U18 Junior Boys, you’re not just contributing to a trip; you’re investing in the future of these athletes and the sport of kendo in Canada. You’re helping to build bridges between cultures and fostering the growth of young individuals into ambassadors for kendo. The Canadian Kendo Federation is a federally registered not-for-profit sports organization and all donors will receive a tax deductible receipt.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/canadian-kendo-federation-fdration-kendo-du-canada/p2p/jrteam2025/#

Spring/Summer Grading 2025

The Spring/Summer Grading Examinations will be announced soon.

Please check our website https://kendo-canada.com/gradings-2025-springsummer/ for further updates.

Procedure for taking grading exams outside Canada

Please refer to the updated process in CKF Members Grading in Foreign Countries. For applications to take exams with the All Japan Kendo Federation, the deadline to send in the permission request and application form is 2 weeks before the deadline for FIK affiliates. Any application received after this deadline will not be accepted, and individuals should not contact FIK/AJKF directly, but contact CKF for any inquiries.

Following a harassment complaint received in September 2024, regarding aspects of the 19WKC Team Canada program, the CKF has completed a full and formal investigation and review of the complaint as per the CKF Harassment Policy. It was determined that the circumstances did not warrant disciplinary action. Specific recommendations to further enhance, formalize, and socialize the administrative procedures, as well as the responsibilities and expectations for management and membership of the National Team were raised, and the CKF is proceeding with implementation of those recommendations. 

CKF will conduct a review of the existing policies governing harassment and abuse to continue to fulfill its stated commitment of creating and maintaining a martial arts and work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

In addition, CKF will work to protect its staff and volunteers from possible malicious/false accusations.