TEAM CANADA

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19th WKC | July 4-7, 2024 | Milan, Italy

Countdown to the World Kendo Championships

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2024 Team Canada

A New Chapter of Excellence

 

The Canadian Kendo Federation (CKF) is thrilled to announce the members of Team Canada for the upcoming 19th World Kendo Championships. This year, our athletes are set to embody the spirit of perseverance, skill, and dedication on an international platform, showcasing the very essence of Canadian Kendo on the world stage.

Join us in extending a heartfelt congratulations to these exceptional amateur athletes, who have demonstrated unparalleled commitment and excellence in their journey. Each member of Team Canada has earned their place through rigorous training and unwavering passion for Kendo, reflecting the high standards and values we cherish in the Canadian Kendo community. To follow the journey of the team through the eyes of the team members, follow TeamCanadaKendo on Instgram.

Women's Team

Captain: Betty Park (Renbu Dojo, BC)
Assistant Captain: Kianna Darbyshire (Vancouver Kendo Club, BC)

Natasha Fracassi (Shidokan Kendo Club, QC)
Shannon Hiyori Kwok (Renbu Dojo, BC)
Yuka Lee (Renbu Dojo, BC)
Yura Schlegel (Renbu Dojo, BC)
Tiffany Huang (UBC Kendo Club, BC)
Juah Paik (Renbu Dojo, BC)

 

Men's Team

Captain: Kunhee Kim (North York Kendo Club, ON)
Assistant Captain: Rogerio Asato (Vancouver Kendo Club, BC)

Hyoung Joon Kim (Renshin Kendo Club, ON)
Eiji Kita (Renbu Dojo, BC)
Shingo Nicholls (Youshinkan Dojo, BC)
Kenta Muramatsu (Renfrew Dojo, BC)
Shion Miyashita (Sturgeon Kendo Club, AB)

 

2024 Team Canada Management

General Manager: David Westhead

Head Coach: Dean Ara

Assistant Coach (Men's): Shigemitsu Kamata
Assistant Coach (Women's): Juneko Kurahashi
Associate Coach (Ontario): Ryo Yasumura
Associate Coach (Prairies): Kyle Lee
Associate Coach (Quebec and East): Kenji Toida
Special Assistant Coach: Daiki Kiwada

Event information: 19th WKC in Milan Italy

Support the Kendo National Team Program

We invite the entire Canadian Kendo community and supporters from around the world to rally behind Team Canada. Your support plays a crucial role in their journey, providing the athletes with the motivation and strength to excel on the international stage. Follow their progress, cheer for their victories, and be part of their journey as they represent Canada with honor and pride.

Make a Donation

The Canadian Kendo Federation is a federally registered not-for-profit sports organization (Federal BN: 133424457RR0001). All donors will receive a tax deductible receipt and all funds will go directly to the current team.

Team Canada Prospects at JCCC Tournament

A Journey of Ambition and Dedication

Support the Men's and Women's Kendo Team Canada as they prepare for the 19th World Kendo Championships in Milan, Italy on July 4-7, 2024.

The Team has started its Fundraising Drive for $42,000. Please help the team reach their goal! All donors receive a tax deductible receipt and all funds go towards training and travel for this team. Thank you to all who have already committed their support.

Give to Team Canada

The Canadian Kendo Federation is a federally registered not-for-profit sports organization (Federal BN: 133424457RR0001). All donors will receive a tax deductible receipt and all funds will go directly to the current team.

Kendo Team Canada

The Canadian Kendo Federation manages and sponsors the development of amateur athletes across Canada under the Team Canada program. Team Canada consists of a Men’s Team and Women’s Team, who train towards the World Kendo Championships (WKC) hosted every three years.

The 2024 Kendo Team Canada selection process is underway. The team will compete at the 19th WKC to be held July 4-7, 2024 in Millan, Italy. Final team members will be announced in Winter 2024, following the final selection process.

Event information: 19th WKC in Milan Italy

Photo courtesy of Kendo Photography

Men's Team Canada at International Training Camp -December 2023

Team Canada Support

Kendo is practiced throughout the world, with 56 countries participating in the most recent 17th WKC in 2018. Canada enjoys a very high profile within the global Kendo community with an impressive record of two 2nd place finishes and nine 3rd place finishes at the WKC— most recently the Women’s Team placing third in 2018. Only teams from Japan, Korea, Brasil, Canada, and USA have placed in the top 2 over the 40-year history of the Championships.

Despite these international successes, Kendo in Canada remains strictly an amateur sport. The CKF Board of Directors, referees, instructors, and coaches even at the highest levels devote their time and resources on a volunteer basis. Athletes work regular full-time jobs or are students trying to complete degrees while competing internationally. Much of the funding provided by the CKF goes towards training, while expenses to attend the Championships is self-funded.

The CKF welcomes corporate and individual sponsorship through financial support, facility use, equipment, team wear, travel, and training expenses.  Please contact [email protected] to learn how you can help, or make an on-line donation here.

Give to Team Canada

The Canadian Kendo Federation is a federally registered not-for-profit sports organization (Federal BN: 133424457RR0001). All donors will receive a tax deductible receipt and all funds will go directly to the current team.

Team Canada Prospects and Development Program

The selection process for the 2024 Team Canada Program is completed. All inquires should be directed to Team Manager, David Westhead.

Planning for Team Canada and prospects selection for Team Canada begins two years before the next WKC. Prospects for Team Canada must hold a Canadian Passport and be a CKF member in good standing. A call for prospects is distributed by the CKF to all active members upon selection of Team Canada Management. 

Any new prospects should speak to a CKF Director or current Team Canada Management to learn more about the Team Canada Program.

Team Canada History

The first World Kendo Championships (WKC) were hosted in Japan in 1970 and is held every three years in locations around the world. Canada had the honour of hosting the 8th WKC in Toronto in 1991. Canadian teams have had great success throughout the 40 years of the championships, with 2nd and 3rd place finishes over the years.

Year Championships Hosting Country Category Medal Finish
1973 2nd WKC San Francisco, USA Canada Men’s Team 2nd Place
1976 3rd WKC Milton Keynes, Great Britain Canada Men’s Team 2nd Place
1985 6th WKC Paris, France Canada Men’s Team 3rd Place
1988 7th WKC Seoul, South Korea Canada Men’s Team 3rd Place
1991 8th WKC Toronto, Ontario Canada Men’s Team 3rd Place
1994 9th WKC Paris, France Canada Men’s Team 3rd Place
1997 10th WKC* Kyoto, Japan Wendy Nakano, Women’s Individual 3rd Place
2000 11th WKC Santa Clara, USA Canada Men’s Team 3rd Place
2000 11th WKC Santa Clara, USA Canada Women’s Team 3rd Place
2003 12th WKC Glasgow, Great Britain Canada Women’s Team 3rd Place
2006 13th WKC Taipei, Taiwan Canada Women’s Team 3rd Place
2018 17th WKC Incheon, Korea Canada Women’s Team 3rd Place
2024 19th WKC Milan, Italy
*Women’s Individual and Team matches started in 1997 at the 10th WKC.
17th WKC Women's Kendo 3rd Place

 2018 Team Canada – Women’s Team 3rd Place at the 17th World Kendo Championships in Seoul Korea

 

1991 Team Canada WKC in Toronto

1991 Team Canada – 8th World Kendo Championships in Toronto, Canada

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