Encho 2 (extension) — Sakai（酒井） wins
The first round of the men's individual event at the 73rd All Japan High School Kendo Tournament was held, and Sakai（酒井） defeated Kawasaki（川﨑）. Neither player scored a valid strike within the regulation time or Encho 1, and the winning point was a men strike in Encho 2. The match lasted 9 minutes and 29 seconds, ending when Sakai in white scored the first ippon.
Matchup
- Red Kawasaki Taichi（川﨑 泰知） / Sano Nichidai（佐野日大） / Tochigi3rd Year 3rd danSano Nichidai A 3rd-year sandan, Kawasaki（川﨑）. Known as one of the strongest boys' schools in Kanto, the school placed 3rd in the boys' team event at the 2017 Inter-High.
- White Sakai Arata（酒井 新太） / Honjo Daiichi（本庄第一） / Saitama3rd Year 3rd danSakai（酒井）, a 3rd-year sandan Honjo Daiichi. The school's kendo club, with the slogan "Isshin Furan," has a track record of winning the boys' team championship at the 2012 selection tournament.
Highlights
A tense development with no valid strikes within the regulation time or Encho 1.
A close match featuring steady offense and defense with neither side giving way.
A dramatic winning men strike decided the match in Encho 2, at 9 minutes and 29 seconds.
Live commentary video
Valid strike
| # | Situation | Red and White | Players | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Encho 2 | White | Sakai（酒井） | Men |
- Conclusion
- Encho 2
- Match time
- 9:29
- Winner
- Sakai（酒井）（White）
- Foul
- 川﨑 泰知Posted on the board (it is not clear from the flash report when the foul occurred)
Text Commentary
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
The 73rd All Japan High School Kendo Championship, Men's Individual first round, Court 3.
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
Sano Nichidai's Kawasaki（川﨑） and Honjo Daiichi's Sakai（酒井）. This match features a steady exchange of offense and defense.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
Neither side shows an opening, and a fierce exchange of strikes continues, but there are no valid strikes within the time limit.
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
Both are attacking cautiously, and neither is breaking. It is a state of equilibrium at a very high level.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
With the score remaining 0-0, the match enters encho.
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
The real battle begins now. Mental endurance and concentration will be put to the test.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
It went into Encho 1, but still, no valid strike is made.
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
Who will break first. They are preparing to strike at a momentary opening.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
And then to Encho 2. At 9 minutes and 29 seconds into the match, Sakai（酒井） in white scored a men!
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
That was a brilliant Men. It was the decisive blow that won the exchange up to this point.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
It was decided by an ippon in Encho 2. The winner is Sakai（酒井）!
Explanation
堂島 厳
堂島 厳
They fought tenaciously to the end and brilliantly landed a men. It was a wonderful victory.
Commentary
剣持 翔
剣持 翔
Sakai（酒井） of Honjo Daiichi defeated Kawasaki（川﨑） of Sano Nichidai and advances to the next match!
To both players
Congratulations to Sakai（酒井） for a splendid victory. I would also like to commend the fighting spirit of Kawasaki（川﨑）, who fought until the very end without giving up. I look forward to the further growth of both players.
Sano Nichidai（佐野日大）
- Official name
- 佐野日本大学高等学校
- Reading
- Sano Nichidai
- Division/Category of Establishment
- Private (School Corporation Sano Nihon University Gakuen). Nihon University’s affiliated high school.
- Location
- 2555 Ishizuka-machi, Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture.
- History
- On May 1, 1964, Sano Nihon University High School (General Course) was founded alongside the establishment of the Sano Gakuen Educational Foundation.
- School motto/philosophy
- The school motto is "Independent Creation," "Harmony of Literary and Martial Arts," and "Walking with Teacher and Student."
- Department.
- General Studies (Special Advancement Course α Class, Special Advancement Course, Super Advancement Course, Advancement Course)
- Kendo Club
- In the 64th All Japan High School Kendo Tournament (Inter-High) of 2017, the men's team placed 3rd (final 4). Introduced as "Kantō champions" in kendo media, they are one of the strongest men's teams in the Kantō region. They won the men's team event at the Japan University Sports Tournament (High School Division) Kendo Tournament in August 2025. In this tournament, in addition to the men's team event, 大河原靖太 and 川崎泰知 (both 3rd year, 3rd dan) will participate in the men's individual event.
- Notes
- The abbreviation is "Sano Nichidai". The school occupies both of Tochigi Prefecture's individual slots for boys.
Honjo Daiichi（本庄第一）
- Official name
- 本庄第一高等学校
- Reading
- Honjo Daiichi
- Division/Category of Establishment
- Private (junior high and high school with a Honjo Daiichi website)
- Location
- Saitama Prefecture, Honjo City
- History
- Founded in 1925.
- Department.
- General studies course.
- Kendo Club
- The kendo club was founded in 1989 and made its first appearance at the national tournament in 1998. They won the men’s team championship at the 21st All-Japan High School Kendo Selection Tournament on March 27, 2012 (Heisei 23). They placed third in the men’s team event at the 64th All-Japan High School Kendo Tournament (Inter-High) in 2017. The club’s slogan is “Isshin Buran,” and coach 相川浩一 states, “To play a tenacious match while attacking and enduring” and “To focus on how to make a draw decisive.” The club introduction on the school’s official website states, “What to learn through kendo,” and they go on training trips around the country on weekends and during long breaks. In recent years, they have participated in the team event at the 30th and 31st All-Japan High School Kendo Selection Tournaments. In this tournament, 酒井新太 (3rd year, Sandan) and 長岡律生 (2nd year, Nidan) will participate in the men’s individual event.
- Notes
- The abbreviation is "Honjoichi" or "Honichi." It is a different school from Saitama Prefectural Honjo High 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.