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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PH kendo team joins historic Asia-Oceania championship in Tokyo

PH kendo team joins historic Asia-Oceania championship in Tokyo

Published May 29, 2026 02:17 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippine Kendo Team is set to test its mettle against the region's elite as they compete in the highly anticipated, first-ever Asia-Oceania Kendo Championships (AOKC), happening this weekend, May 30 to 31, 2026, at the historic Tokyo Budokan in Japan.
The Philippine Kendo Team at Tokyo Budokan, Japan
The Philippine Kendo Team at Tokyo Budokan, Japan
The Philippine Kendo Team is set to test its mettle against the region's elite as they compete in the highly anticipated, first-ever Asia-Oceania Kendo Championships (AOKC), happening this weekend, May 30 to 31, 2026, at the historic Tokyo Budokan in Japan.
Organized by the newly formed Asia Oceania Kendo Federation (AOKF) and hosted by the All Japan Kendo Federation, this landmark tournament serves as the premier continental stage for the martial art. Over 20 countries and territories from across Asia and the Pacific are sending their finest kendoka (kendo practitioners) to battle for regional supremacy.
The PH Team Official Roster
The PH Team Official Roster

The United Kendo Federation of the Philippines (UKFP) finalized its national roster following an intense selection process, blending seasoned international competitors with rising stars from across local clubs:

Women’s Team:
  • Xylia Alzate
  • Melduen Castillon
  • Janelle Dacumos
  • Arlene Maurillo
  • Czarina Miñoza
  • Fin Villa-Abrille
  • Diane Virgula
  • Suji Yu
Men’s Team:
  • Sebastian Bangoy
  • Marco Cainglet
  • Robert Carabuena
  • Yuta Inoue
  • Paul Miñoza
  • Ian Navarro
Delegation Managers/Coaches:
  • Tomoyuki Akita
  • Yuta Esaki
  • Masamichi Itoh
  • Keitai Shingaki
  • Andre Brillantes
Carrying a Wave of Historic Momentum
The Philippines enters Tokyo riding an unprecedented wave of international momentum. After making a stellar debut at the 19th World Kendo Championships in Milan, Italy, the national team made history late last year at the 13th ASEAN Kendo Tournament in Singapore, where the Men’s Team clinched a sensational silver medal—narrowly missing out on the gold in a nail-biting, buzzer-beater finish against the hosts.

What is Kendo?

Derived from the fighting techniques of the samurai, Kendo ("Way of the Sword") is a modern Japanese martial art that combines fierce athletic discipline with deep spiritual values. Competitors wear protective armor (bogu) and strike specific target areas—the head (men), wrists (kote), torso (do), or throat (tsuki)—with a bamboo sword (shinai). Points are scored only when a strike is delivered with perfect accuracy, posture, and a spirited vocal shout (ki-ai).
For a sport that has quietly grown in small local dojos through sheer passion, self-funding, and relentless volunteer work, stepping onto the floors of the Tokyo Budokan represents a major victory for the local community. Team Philippines has proven they no longer just participate—they compete.

The 1st Asia-Oceania Kendo Championships will be livestreamed globally via the tournament’s official broadcasting channels at https://1aokc.jp/en

Related Tags

Philippine Kendo Team Asia-Oceania Kendo Championships
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