Fukuoka, Japan July 22-24, 2026
Hawaii Tenri Judo high schoolers competed at the Kinshuki Tournament in Fukuoka on July 2026.
We want to extend a huge Mahalo to Rev. Tad Iwata who secured our invitation, organized the trip, and accompanied the team to Japan! Also a big Mahalo to Bishop Jiro Ohara who also helped to organize and plan the trip.
Battling on the mats of Fukuoka and training at the historic powerhouse of Tenri Japan, Hawaii Tenri Judo proved that spirit and technique know no borders. Out of five international squads, our athletes secured the only foreign team member’s victories of the entire tournament.
Few competitions in the world command the same level of respect, history, and pure intensity as the Kinshuki High School Judo Tournament in Japan. This year, our dojo took a monumental leap forward, packing our gi bags and boarding a flight to Japan to experience this legendary event firsthand. It was a journey filled with fierce battles, deep cultural exploration, and an unprecedented milestone for our squad.
What Makes the Kinshuki So Special
For the uninitiated, the Kinshuki is not your average tournament. It is one of the largest and most prestigious high school judo events in Japan, drawing hundreds of elite teams from every prefecture and across the globe.
What makes it truly electric is its traditional “King of the Hill” (Kachinuki-shai) format. Five-member teams square off in open-weight divisions. When a judoka wins a match, they stay on the mat to face the next opponent from the opposing team. This setup demands incredible stamina, strategy, and pure grit, as a single dominant fighter can theoretically tear through an entire lineup.
For the men’s judo tournament division alone where Hawaii Tenri competed, the field typically spans hundreds of teams split across eight massive competition brackets (Blocks A through H) fighting on 10 separate mats simultaneously.
Standing Alone: Hawaii Tenri Makes History
Stepping into the arena, the atmosphere was thick with intense focus, rhythmic cheering, and the thunderous sounds of heavy throws meeting the tatami.
While the nerves were present, our athletes stepped onto the mat with immense courage. This year, five foreign teams from around the world traveled to Japan to test their skills against the absolute best. Out of all the international competitors, a total of only three matches were won by foreign teams—and all three victories belonged entirely to the Hawaii Tenri High School team.
Our fighters left everything on the ultimate stage, showcasing incredible technique to capture these spectacular victories and a gritty battle:
- Carson Suzuki executed a flawless, tactical sacrifice throw (Sutemi-waza) to catch his opponent off guard and secure his win.
- Eli Suan dug deep in a grueling tactical battle, fighting his tough opponent from Yokohama all the way to a hard-earned draw.
- Skylor Chan using explosive power, launching his opponent with a beautiful Harai Goshi for a clean full point.
- Navi Kageyama fought with relentless spirit, closing out his match by driving his opponent straight into the mat with a dominant hip throw for a spectacular Ippon.
- Cole Fukuda fought hard but unfortunately lost his match to his Yokohama high school opponent.
Each encounter on the tatami was a profound learning experience. While the local teams showcased why Japan remains the epicenter of world judo, our squad proved that Hawaii judo belongs on the world stage. We are incredibly proud of how these young athletes carried themselves and represented the spirit of Hawaii Tenri!
Immersing in Culture and Heritage in Nara
Our journey was about connecting with our dojo’s deep roots just as much as it was about athletic competition. While traveling through Nara Prefecture, the entire team took a meaningful pilgrimage to visit the Tenrikyo Church Headquarters.
Stepping into this spiritually profound and architecturally stunning landmark provided a beautiful moment of peace and reflection for our athletes. It allowed us to slow down, appreciate the cultural foundations of our dojo’s heritage, and understand the deeper philosophical values of respect, harmony, and community that ground everything we do on the tatami. Of course, no trip to Japan would be complete without bonding over incredible bowls of local ramen and sharing a few laughs off the mat!
To test our conditioning, the team tackled one of Japanese judo’s most grueling traditions: running the famous Tenri training hill steps. Charging up the massive flights of stairs—a legendary conditioning routine designed to build explosive leg power and unshakeable lower-body endurance—pushed every athlete to their absolute physical limit. The burning in our legs was intense, but reaching the top together forged a level of mental toughness that we immediately carried onto the competition mats.
The Ultimate Preparation: Training at a Judo Powerhouse
Our performance at the Kinshuki didn’t happen by accident. Before and after the tournament, we had the immense honor of training at the world-renowned, prestigious Tenri Middle School and High School. Known across the globe for producing Olympic champions and legendary technical mastery, the dojo environment was an absolute wake-up call for what world-class judo looks like.
Some of our junior players who accompanied the team trained at the local dojo in Tenri the Junseikan Dojo.
We are returning home to Hawaii with more than just sore muscles and souvenirs; we are bringing back a completely elevated standard for our training. Seeing the level of dedication, respect, and technical precision in Japan has inspired our entire roster to push harder in our own dojo. We want to extend a massive thank you to our coaches, families, and sponsors who made this dream trip a reality. The lessons learned at the Kinshuki, the steps conquered at Tenri, and the memories built in Nara will shape our team’s mindset for the rest of the season and beyond.
“Drafted with the assistance of Claude AI.
