Kai Senda

Major achievements: Currently a third-year student at Meiji University. While attending Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School, he placed third individually in the Inter-High School Championships. He placed in the top eight individually in the All Japan Student Kendo Championships in his second and third years. He won the Miyagi Prefecture qualifying round for the All Japan Kendo Championships and is scheduled to compete in the All Japan Kendo Championships to be held on Friday, November 3, 2017.

Career

—Can you tell us which dojo you came from? 千田"It was at a dojo called Tagajo Central Kendo School in Miyagi Prefecture. When I was in elementary school, I was so weak that I would lose in the first round of the Miyagi Prefecture tournament for my grade level." --That's true! What do you think was the trigger that made you gain strength? 千田"I went on to the private Shuko Junior High School, and gradually started to achieve good results from there. Although there were only four members, we managed to come in second in the Miyagi Prefecture qualifying round for the All-Japan Junior High School Championships. I would have liked to have competed in the All-Japan Junior High School Championships with just the four of us (laughs). As an individual, I managed to make it into the top eight in Miyagi Prefecture." —Shuko Junior High School is an affiliated school of Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School, so kendo is also popular there. Did you want to change your environment? 千田"No, I was invited by a senior. The son of the head coach of the Sendai Ikuei Kendo Club, Aoki, is a senior at the dojo. When Aoki invited me, I was hesitant, but I decided to give it a try." -You went on to Sendai Ikuei High School. When did you become a regular player? 千田"At the Inter-High School Championships in my first year, I took part in the team as vice captain. I'm grateful that I was given the opportunity to play at such an early stage." —You were a regular player at the powerful Sendai Ikuei High School from your first year. 千田"Sendai Ikuei's teaching policy values ​​independence, so no one is forced to practice. This means that there is a clear difference between those who become strong and those who don't improve much. I always practiced while thinking about how to become stronger. I didn't think there was much point in practicing without thinking about it, or practicing because I was forced to." The coaching policy at Sendai Ikuei was a perfect fit for you. Were you also blessed with good seniors? 千田"At the time, there was a senior student named Komatsu who was two years older than me and from Ishinomaki City. I faced off against him in the Miyagi Prefecture qualifying final for the right to compete in this year's All Japan Championships. His sister won the individual championship at the Inter-High School Championships while at To-o Gijuku High School and went on to enroll at Meiji University (laughs). I really feel a connection between us." —It seems like you two are related (laughs). You placed third individually at the Inter-High School Championships. Were you confident at the time? 千田"No, I really had no confidence. But I focused on each and every match and was able to achieve amazing results. I think it was almost a miracle (laughs)."

Grades at Meiji University

-Can you tell me your grades since entering university? 千田"I was able to make it into the top eight in the All Japan Student Individual Championships during my second and third years of university." -You've been consistently achieving good results! How do you feel about those results? 千田"I feel like I'm just one step away. People around me often tell me, 'You're just one step away.' You only get featured in the pamphlet from third place onwards. I want to break through that wall." -This year, the All Japan Student Team seems to be aiming for victory. 千田"That's true. I'd definitely like to aim for that." *The tournament was held on October 29, 2017, and he placed third. -You also have a good classmate at Meiji University, Yamada. 千田"Yamada is such an incredible player that he has been a member of the Japanese national team since he entered Meiji University. I feel so lucky to have been able to be his classmate." —What kind of person is Yamada? 千田"...I think he's someone who helps me grow. We have a relationship where we can work hard and improve together. For example, last year at the All Japan Student Individual Championships, Yamada won and I was in the top eight. This year at the All Japan Student Individual Championships, I was able to achieve better results. We are conscious of each other and work hard at training so that we can achieve good results." —Could you tell us about the training you do at Meiji University? 千田"Meiji University places great importance on basic training. We often practice things like turning, striking, and grabbing. Sometimes I get tired and end up just doing the training because I'm being forced to, but I try to think as much as possible about what I'm doing." —It's clear that you really love kendo. What do you like about kendo? 千田"I think it's fun to read each other's minds. Until I was in junior high school, I didn't practice by thinking independently. It wasn't until I became a high school student that I realized how interesting kendo is, being able to read each other's minds." Are you good at coming up with strategies? 千田"I think I'm good at it. I also like shogi. I think several moves ahead before attacking."

Taking on the challenge of the All Japan Championships as a student

—Congratulations on qualifying for the All Japan Kendo Championships. 千田"Thank you. I also took part in the qualifying round last year, but I wasn't strong enough and came in second place. To be honest, I didn't think I'd make it that far last year... But making it to the finals definitely gave me confidence. I think it was good that I aimed clearly for the right to participate this year." -As a student, it seems like it would be difficult to get into the right mindset to compete against police officers for the right to participate. What do you think? 千田"In my case, even if the other person is a police officer, I put pressure on myself to not lose. This often results in good results." — Weren't you nervous? 千田"I think I was nervous, but I had been practicing every day, so I was confident." -The All Japan Championships are approaching. Are you nervous? 千田"I'm nervous (laughs). I get nervous when the matchups are announced, and then a week before the match. As the match gets closer, the nervousness decreases." —Is that because you can simulate the match in your mind and get into the right mindset? 千田"Yes. I do a lot of image training."

Goals as a player

—Do you have any goals as a player? 千田"My goal is to compete in the All Japan Championships for the 10th consecutive year. I'll get a commemorative torso (laugh)." --That's a wonderful goal! Are you hoping to join the local Miyagi Prefectural Police? 千田"That's right. I would like to spread my name from my hometown to the whole country. I would be happy if people remember Miyagi as Senda Ari." - This interview made me realize that if you train and think every day like Senda, you can grow in any environment. It's important for working adults to not just go through each day aimlessly, but to be creative and spend each day thinking about what to do, so the BUSHIZO staff learned a lot from this. We wish you the best of luck at the All Japan Championships!