Encho 3 (extension) — Shato（社頭） wins
The first round of the men's individual event at the 73rd All Japan High School Kendo Tournament took place, featuring a match between Shato（社頭） and Suga（菅）. No valid strikes were scored within the regulation time or during the first and Encho 2s, resulting in a long match lasting 10 minutes and 7 seconds. In Encho 3, Shato scored a men for the winning point and claimed victory.
Matchup
- Red Shato So（社頭 奏） / Naradai Fuzoku（奈良大附属） / Nara3rd Year 3rd danNaradai Fuzoku 3rd year, sandan. They are active under the school motto "Effort is genius" at a prestigious school that boasts 49 consecutive appearances at the Inter-High.
- White Suga Rintaro（菅 倫太朗） / Ikuei（育英） / Hyogo3rd Year 2nd danIkuei3rd year, 2nd dan. A player from a powerhouse school that upholds the founding philosophy of "Each with their own ability" and aims to "seriously strive to be the best in Japan."
Highlights
A tense development where neither side allowed a valid strike from the regulation time through Encho 2.
A war of attrition, pushing their physical limits for a match duration of 10 minutes and 7 seconds.
The men strike by Shato（社頭） that settled a fierce battle that remained undecided through Encho 3.
Live commentary video
Valid strike
| # | Situation | Red and White | Players | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Encho 3 | Red | Shato（社頭） | Men |
- Conclusion
- Encho 3
- Match time
- 10:07
- Winner
- Shato（社頭）（Red）
- Foul
- No record
Text Commentary
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
Court 2, Match 16. Naradai Fuzoku's Shato（社頭） vs. Ikuei's Suga（菅）.
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
This is a matchup where neither side is expected to give ground, and very intense offense and defense are anticipated.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
Within the time limit, both sides look for an opening, but no valid strike is landed.
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
Both are cautiously measuring the distance. It will go into encho.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
It went into Encho 1, and then the second, but it remained 0-0.
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
They must be physically exhausted, but their concentration hasn't wavered.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
The match time exceeded 10 minutes, becoming a true war of attrition. No winner could be decided.
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
It is a clash of mental strength. It's a matter of who breaks first.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
And now, Encho 3! It's the red team's Shato（社頭） who makes the move!
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
Men! It's a point! Shato（社頭） struck the men!
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
It's finally decided. A magnificent men.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
Match time 10 minutes 7 seconds. A long battle that went into Encho 3 has come to an end.
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
It was a valuable ippon, coming after both sides stubbornly fought to outdo one another.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
The one who emerged victorious from the fierce battle was Naradai Fuzoku's Shato（社頭）. A splendid victory!
To both players
Applause for Shato（社頭）, who won a hard-fought battle and brilliantly scored a men. I would also like to commend Suga（菅） for fighting bravely and never giving up until the end. I look forward to the further growth of both players.
Naradai Fuzoku（奈良大附属）
- Official name
- 奈良大学附属高等学校
- Reading
- Naradai Fuzoku
- Division/Category of Establishment
- Private (coeducational). It is an affiliated school of 奈良大学 and has a system for internal advancement to the same university.
- Location
- Nara City, Akishino-cho, Nara Prefecture.
- History
- In June 1925 (Taisho 14), the history began with the establishment of Nantou Seikyo Middle School within the grounds of Yakushiji Temple in Tsujizato Village, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture, as a night school for working youth. Following the 1948 educational reform, it became Nara Prefectural Seikyo High School, and co-education was introduced in 1957.
- School motto/philosophy
- Founded on the spirit of "Living Correctly and Strongly" (Seikyo Spirit). School motto: "Effort is genius."
- Department.
- General Studies (Special Advancement Course, Liberal Arts Course, Standard Course)
- Kendo Club
- Inter-High for 49 consecutive years (total of 44 appearances), and the All-Japan High School Kendo Tournament in the spring for 22 consecutive years (total of 29 appearances). They have won the prefectural Inter-High qualifier 44 times in a row for 16 consecutive years. They have been runners-up twice, placed third four times, and reached the top 8 eleven times in national tournaments. They placed third in the All-Japan High School Kendo Tournament in March 2025. The women’s team has won the prefectural tournament 47 times in a row and the overall championship 96 times, and have reached the top 8 at Inter-High four times.
- Notes
- The participating schools from Nara Prefecture, the host location of this tournament.
Ikuei（育英）
- Official name
- 育英高等学校
- Reading
- Ikuei
- Division/Category of Establishment
- Private (coeducational)
- Location
- 2-15 Nagaobimachi, Nagata-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
- History
- Founded in 1899. Renamed to "Kobe Ikuei Gakuen" in 1902, and "Kobe Type A Ikuei Commercial School" was established in 1915. The second gymnasium with a kendo dojo and judo dojo, also serving as a small auditorium, was completed in 1983.
- School motto/philosophy
- The founding principle of the school is "each individual has unique abilities." The slogan is "nurture the future, nurture the heart."
- Department.
- General studies (all courses will be reorganized from academic year 2025).
- Kendo Club
- 35 club members (10 third-year students, 15 second-year students, 10 first-year students). 29 Inter-High appearances (2 runner-up finishes, 5 third-place finishes), 21 All Japan High School Kendo Selection Tournament appearances (1 win, 2 runner-up finishes, 5 third-place finishes), 1 National Sports Festival win. They pursue activities with the motto "Seriously aiming to be number one in Japan." In the Hyogo Prefectural High School Athletic Federation tournament in June 2023, they defeated Kansei Gakuin 1-0 in the final to win their 30th consecutive team championship.
- Notes
- Saitama Prefecture's Ikuei Gakuen High School and a different school
Source: 73rd All Japan High School Kendo Tournament Official Website "Tournament Bulletin" (Match Results / Tournament Bracket)
https://inhigh.kendotaikai.jp/大会速報↗
Only facts recorded in the logs (matches, valid strikes and their order, outcomes, match duration, and presence of fouls) are listed. The play-by-play and commentary are AI-generated content.
https://inhigh.kendotaikai.jp/大会速報↗
Only facts recorded in the logs (matches, valid strikes and their order, outcomes, match duration, and presence of fouls) are listed. The play-by-play and commentary are AI-generated content.