A Budding Judo Force: Introducing Arita Kenshinkan

Nestled in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture, a remarkable team of young judoka – 33 children aged from infants to junior high students – are dedicating themselves to the sport. Arita Kenshinkan is a testament to the power of youth, discipline, and a shared passion for judo.

Impressive Tournament Results Fueling Growth

The team’s dedication is already yielding impressive results. In 2024, Arita Kenshinkan athletes showcased exceptional talent at numerous prestigious tournaments:

• Kyushu Judo Tournament: 14 representatives proudly represented Saga Prefecture.
• National Judo Tournament: Several athletes competed nationally, including two participating in the 33rd National Judo Tournament for Saga Prefecture representatives.
• Saga Newspaper School Olympics: The team secured 4 wins, 2 runner-ups, 6 third places, and 3 second places.
• Other Notable Wins: The team achieved success in the Minamioguni Town “Kiyora no Sato” Crime Prevention Judo Tournament (3rd and 4th Grade Group 3rd place), the USA Cup (2nd and 3rd place), the Saga Prefecture Judo Tournament (3rd place across multiple age groups), the Hinomaru Kids Kyushu Elementary School Judo Tournament (1st place – 6th Grade Women’s Lightweight Class), the Kanmon Strait Judo Tournament (2nd place in two age groups), and the Ogizaka Prefectural Shimojutsu Judo Tournament (2nd place in group, 6 individual winners, 3 runner-ups).

“Dreams are not something you can see, you can grasp them with effort,”

– A motto embodying the team’s dedication.

Supporting the Next Generation

The impressive achievements are not without challenges. Traveling to national tournaments like the Kodokan in Tokyo – the home of Judo – requires significant financial investment, encompassing transportation and accommodation. Recognizing this, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to alleviate the burden on the team’s families and coaches, ensuring continued access to competitive opportunities.

Voices of the Team

These young athletes are driven by a shared dream and a passion for the sport. Here’s what some of them have to say:

• Yamazaki Koshin (5th Grade): “I will do my best! Please support us.”
• Kondo Seiya (5th Grade): “All wins! Please support us.”
• Kaneda Yutora (5th Grade): “I’m going to test my strengths at my first national tournament!!”
• Iwanaga Hidesei (5th Grade): “Fight any opponent with a strong attitude!!”
• Nishizawa Kazumi (5th Grade): “I’ll go and get one with my shoulder throw. Please support us.”
• Hori Fuyuma (6th Grade): “Everyone goes to win. Thank you for your support.”
• Sakaguchi Rua (6th Grade): “We’ll all work together to work hard. Thank you for your support.”

Looking Ahead

The ultimate goal is to participate in the National Judo Tournament qualifying round on May 5th, 2025, held in the 45th National Judo Judo Tournament. The team continually strives to advance through the qualifying rounds to the national tournament.

Project Target: 1,000,000 Yen

The funds raised will cover travel, accommodation, and other tournament-related expenses, ensuring that Arita Kenshinkan can continue to grow and compete on the national stage.

Support Arita Kenshinkan and witness the incredible journey of these dedicated young judoka!