San Diego Kendo Bu

San Diego Kendo Bu is absolutely ecstatic to announce two new rankings among our sensei!

Matt Schultzel Sensei passed 6-Dan (Dr. Matthew Schultzel)

Manabu Uto Sensei passed 5-Dan (Manabu Uto) - proxy thru Salinas Kendo

Congrats to both and let’s celebrate when you guys get home!

Happy 30th Birthday Uto Sensei from all of us at San Diego Kendo Bu !!!

Although you’re not officially part of our dojo on paper (yet), we have always considered you one of us as we appreciate your presence and teachings to all of us! You quickly became family and thank you for making each of us better kendoka and better people.

Happy birthday!!!

Thank you to Victor Chen for practicing with us the last few weeks! We sincerely hope you had a great time and please come back anytime. We promise, no sayonara kakarigeiko this time (maybe)

Also thank you to alba (A. Ueno) of OSULA dojo for joining as well last night!

Always great to have visitors and enjoy keiko with people you normally wouldn’t have the chance to!

Jeff Maruyama Maruyama Kendo Supply

Last night at dojo practice … “where are all the girls at???”

After practice some of us joined in on the group with FOMO

Now for the huge announcement and recognition of San Diego Kendo Bu ‘s kenshi, MS. KANON SAITO!!! A huge congratulations to Kanon (Kanon Saito ・齋藤花音 ) for winning the WOMENS AUSKF NATIONAL INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

This incredible achievement reflects the countless hours of training, the sacrifices made, and the relentless pursuit of improvement. Kanon’s success is a testament to what is possible when talent is matched with humility, perseverance, and an unshakable work ethic.

No one reaches the top alone. Everyone at SDKB contributed to her success, and especially to her mom and family, whose love, encouragement, and endless support have been the foundation of this journey. Their belief in her has helped make moments like this possible.

At SDKB, it has been our privilege to fully support Kanon’s training and development along the way. Every strike, every point, and every victory was earned through her own determination and commitment. We are proud to stand behind her as she continues to pursue excellence and represent the true spirit of kendo.

Kanon, your journey reminds us all that greatness is built through consistency, resilience, and the willingness to challenge yourself every single day. Congratulations on this well-deserved championship. This is not the finish line.. . . . You have a much bigger goal in 10 months! Many of us from SDKB will be there in person to cheer you on!!!! We love you and all of us are inspired by your humility and determination!

We are incredibly proud of you. Congratulations, Champion! 💙🥇

sckfkendo


📸: Kendo Photography , California Budogu

Kikunaga Sensei had the honor and privilege to be the coach of the SCKF Mudansha team for the 2026 AUSKF National Championships.

These “Samurai Cowboys” showed up and showed out! Their immense amount of training from SCKF Team trainings, Gasshuku in texas, beach workouts, and always had the mentals right by staying laser focused to this past weekend, ….. culminated and resulted in incredible results.

Individuals:
FIRST PLACE: Daisuke Hanaoka (COSTA MESA KENDO DOJO)
THIRD PLACE: Ryan Tokumoto (San Diego Kendo Bu)
THIRD PLACE: Dr. Mori Fukunaga-Taylor (San Diego Kendo Bu)

Team:
FIRST PLACE AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!
- Daisuke Hanaoka (Costa Mesa Dojo)
- Ryan Tokumoto (San Diego Kendo Bu)
- Dr. Mori Fukunaga Taylor (San Diego Kendo Bu)
- Len EinDar (San Diego Kendo Bu)
- Ryan Kouadri (Plano Kendo Dojo )
- Breland Gibson (Plano Kendo Dojo)

Thank you to all for supporting the whole team, words of encouragement, and mutual practice. For them, the whole TEAM made each other better. Iron sharpens iron!!!. Thank you to the rest of the coaching staff of SCKF Kendo , the parents & friends.