#Japan #Tokyo #Japan Karate Federation #Sosuke Mineoka #Tsubasa Ide

The National Team Selection for 2026

The Japan Karate Federation (JKF) has officially announced the members of the national team for the 2026 season, showcasing the promising talents who will represent Japan at the 14th World Cadet, Junior, and U-21 Karate Championships scheduled to be held from October 14 to 18, 2026, in Bielsko-Biała, Poland. This prestigious event is known to be a pivotal platform for the next generation of karate athletes, offering them a chance to shine on a world stage.

Overview of The Selection 2026

From May 15 to 17, 2026, the JKF will host the Selection Tournament at the Japan Karate Association Hall in Koto-ku, Tokyo, where cadets, juniors, and U-21 athletes will compete. This event aims to identify and train promising athletes who can perform at an international level, further strengthening TEAM JAPAN in their karate pursuits.

The selection is divided into various weight class categories for both genders, focusing on kumite (fighting) and kata (forms). Here's a quick look at the selected athletes in different age groups:

Cadet Team Selections (Ages 14-15)

• - Boys’ Kumite:

- -52kg: Sosuke Mineoka
- -57kg: Hinata Tobo
- -63kg: Koryu Matsumura
- -70kg: Ryoma Yamashita
- +70kg: Yutaka Noto

• - Girls’ Kumite:

- -47kg: Tsubasa Ide
- -54kg: Mao Kondo
- -61kg: Koharu Sato
- +61kg: Yui Furuya

• - Kata:

- Boys: Ryushin Shimabukuro
- Girls: Chizu Zukeyama

Junior Team Selections (Ages 16-17)

• - Boys’ Kumite:

- -55kg: Jun Mitsuie
- -61kg: Takamasa Yatoji
- -68kg: Maari Maeda
- -76kg: Takeru Ogawa
- +76kg: Kosei Kawamura

• - Girls’ Kumite:

- -48kg: Rinri Oda
- -53kg: Aguni Endo
- -59kg: Koko Sakurai
- -66kg: Wakana Karikomi
- +66kg: Maria Nishimura

• - Kata:

- Boys: Takeru Hamazawa
- Girls: Wakana Ito

U-21 Team Selections (Ages 18-20)

• - Kata:

- Boys: Soshi Okumura
- Girls: Misuzu Kobayashi

Note: The selections for the U-21 kumite representatives were conducted at the 4th JKF Weight Category Championships held in February 2026.

Anticipating World-Class Showdown

The upcoming 14th World Cadet, Junior & U21 Karate Championships will see top athletes from around the globe come together, providing a chance for Japan's young karatekas to display their skills on an international platform. Previous competitions have established Japan as a dominant force in these championships, exemplified by their outstanding performance in the 13th tournament held in Venice, Italy, where they clinched a record 12 gold medals, affirming their place at the top of the medal rankings.

JKF President Yoshihiro Sasakawa remarks, “With the completion of The Selection 2026, we have seen the emergence of a strong lineup of cadets, juniors, and U-21 athletes ready to carry the legacy of Japanese karate. The upcoming championships in Poland will be a memorable stage to showcase the tradition of karate from its birthplace, as our athletes, coaches, and staff unite in this endeavor.”

The JKC continues to work toward the development and promotion of karate, emphasizing the importance of fostering youth talent.

For further information regarding the event and the selected team, you can visit the official JKF page here or access the results PDF.

ABOUT JKF

The Japan Karate Federation is the sole governing body for karate in Japan that is affiliated with the World Karate Federation (WKF) and the Asian Karate Federation (AKF). It is dedicated to promoting and developing karate as a sport while also enhancing its competitive level for domestic and international events. JKF is based in Tokyo, Japan, at the Japan Karate Association Hall.