The Selection 2026 National Team Members Announced – Japan Representatives for the 14th World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships (October / Poland) Decided

The Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF / Location: Koto-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshihiro Sasakawa) held 'The Selection 2026 JKF Cadet, Junior & U21 (Kata) National Team Selection Tournament' over three days from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Nippon Karatedo Kaikan (Tatsumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo). Through this event, the federation decided the 2026 national team members and the nominated athletes who will represent Japan at the 14th World Cadet, Junior & U21 Karate Championships (October 14-18, 2026 / Bielsko-Biała, Poland).

Aiming for the World Junior Championships, a gateway to world-class athletes, the federation will further strengthen its efforts to nurture athletes who can excel on the global stage as members of TEAM JAPAN. We kindly ask for your support and encouragement.

▼ Official announcement page
https://www.jkf.ne.jp/info/as_ad/20260520/36786

▼ Selection results (PDF)
d46272-79-2f865dc5d6d95c7a58d8e5cb1591ea78.pdf

■ The Selection 2026 Event Overview
Event Name
The Selection 2026 JKF Cadet, Junior & U21 (Kata) National Team Selection Tournament
Event Period
Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17, 2026 / 3 days
Venue
Nippon Karatedo Kaikan (1-1-20 Tatsumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo)
Organizer
Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF)
Events
Kumite (Cadet & Junior, male and female weight categories) / Kata (Cadet, Junior, U21, male and female individual)

■ 2026 National Team Nominated Athletes (Honorifics omitted)
From left: Mineoka, Tobo, Matsumura, Yamashita, Noto
◆ Cadet (Age 14-15)
Male Kumite
−52kg: Sosuke Mineoka
−57kg: Hinata Tobo
−63kg: Koryu Matsumura
−70kg: Ryoma Yamashita
+70kg: Yutaka Noto
From left: Ide, Kondo, Sato, Furuya
Female Kumite
−47kg: Tsubasa Ide
−54kg: Mao Kondo
−61kg: Koharu Sato
+61kg: Yui Furuya
From left: Shimabukuro, Zukeyama
Kata (Individual)
Male: Ryushin Shimabukuro
Female: Chizu Zukeyama
From left: Mitsuie, Yatoji, Maeda, Ogawa, Kawamura
◆ Junior (Age 16-17)
Male Kumite
−55kg: Jun Mitsuie
−61kg: Takamasa Yatoji
−68kg: Maari Maeda
−76kg: Takeru Ogawa
+76kg: Kosei Kawamura
From left: Karikomi, Sakurai, Endo, Oda
Female Kumite
−48kg: Rinri Oda
−53kg: Aguni Endo
−59kg: Koko Sakurai
−66kg: Wakana Karikomi
+66kg: Maria Nishimura
　　※Maria Nishimura was nominated at the 4th Weight Category Championships.
From left: Ito, Hamazawa
Kata (Individual)
Male: Takeru Hamazawa
Female: Wakana Ito
From left: Okumura, Kobayashi
◆ U21 (Age 18-20)
Kata (Individual)
Male: Soshi Okumura
Female: Misuzu Kobayashi
※The U21 kumite representatives for Japan were selected at 'The Selection 2026 4th JKF All Japan Karate Weight Category Championships' held in February.

■ 14th World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships Overview
Event Name
14th WKF World Cadet, Junior & U21 Karate Championships
Event Dates
Wednesday, October 14 – Sunday, October 18, 2026
Venue
Bielsko-Biała, Poland
Organizer
World Karate Federation (WKF)
Official Website
https://www.wkf.net/world-championships/championship/!/443/

This tournament is the world's premier stage for karate competitions for athletes aged 20 and under, bringing together the next generation of top athletes selected from national teams around the world.

■ Japan's Performance at the Previous Tournament (13th / 2024 / Venice, Italy)
At the previous 13th World Cadet, Junior & U21 Karate Championships (October 9-13, 2024 / Venice, Italy), the Japanese team achieved the top ranking in the medal table, winning a record number of gold medals (12) for the tournament.

Japan Karatedo Federation President: Yoshihiro Sasakawa

■ Comment
Through The Selection 2026, the elite of Japan's next generation in Cadet, Junior, and U21 categories have been assembled. At the 14th World Championships in Poland this October, athletes, coaches, and staff will unite to showcase 'Japanese Karate' to the world, backed by the traditions of the sport's birthplace. We sincerely appreciate your warm support.
Japan Karatedo Federation

About the Japan Karatedo Federation
The Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) is the governing body for the promotion, development, and improvement of competitive skills in Karatedo in Japan. It is the only karate federation in Japan affiliated with the World Karate Federation (WKF) and the Asian Karate Federation (AKF). The JKF is involved in organizing various international and domestic tournaments, forming and dispatching national teams, training instructors and referees, and preserving and promoting the cultural value of Karatedo.
Corporate Name: Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF)
Location: 1-1-20 Tatsumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8538, Japan (Nippon Karatedo Kaikan)
Official Website: https://www.jkf.ne.jp/