CA Budogu Sponsored Kenshi Program

Since the beginning, our mission at California Budogu has always been about more than just Bogu—it’s about giving back to the Kendo community in meaningful ways. This initiative was inspired by our friends at Hokubei Budogu, who were the first (and until now, the only) international Bogu shop we know of supporting young Kendoka across North America in this way.

We truly believe that youth are the future of Kendo. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to announce our program for a new generation of Sponsored Kenshi—exceptional young practitioners from across the U.S. who not only represent the spirit of Kendo but also embody what it means to be part of Team California Budogu: passionate, hardworking, and full of heart. Our goal is to support them on their journey—not just as athletes, but as future leaders and role models within the Kendo community.

Meet Our Sponsored Kenshi

Kai Romero (15)
Kendo 1-Dan, Costa Mesa Kendo Dojo (California)
Southern California Kendo Federation

Kai Romero is a dojo mate of California Budogu’s Nathan, Vishwaas, Patrick, and Dennis at Costa Mesa Kendo Dojo and the Southern California Kendo Federation. Kai is a beast. While only 15 years old, he’s already competed in the AUSKF Junior Nationals multiple times and has collected countless trophies and medals throughout his years in Kendo! His energy, spirit, and talent speak for themselves.

Kai has not only competed in junior divisions across the country, but also stepped up to challenge adult divisions—most notably helping Team Costa Mesa place at the SCKF Team Championships. Following an outstanding performance at the 2025 AUSKF Junior Nationals, Kai was even selected to represent the United States at the 59th All Japan Dojo Renmei Youth Kendo Tournament held at the Nippon Budokan in Japan. Whether it's in the Shiaijo or after a tough Keiko, Kai is a constant source of strength and positivity—always lending a hand and lifting spirits with his sense of humor. We’re incredibly proud of him and look forward to supporting his journey every step of the way!

"My favorite parts of Kendo are the competitions, the friends you make, traveling, and the discipline you learn. Throughout my years of Kendo, I learned to be mindful of every practice, ensuring I get better little by little. With my added effort, I also got chances to represent my dojo and federation in important tournaments. Another plus to Kendo is that it keeps me active and prevents me from becoming lazy. GO California Budogu! Thank you for supporting me!"— Kai

Kouta Horiguchi (18)
Kendo 2-Dan, Macomb Kendo Dojo (Michigan)
Midwest Kendo Federation

Kouta, our first ever sponsored Kenshi, began his Kendo journey at the age of 11 and has been practicing for approximately six years. He is a proud member of Macomb Kendo Dojo and the Midwest Kendo Federation. Despite beginning later than some of his peers, he’s already competed in major tournaments across the U.S. and Canada, and has even won Kantosho at the AUSKF Junior Nationals. California Budogu is honored to support Kouta throughout his Kendo journey, and we are so excited to see him grow!

"Kendo is a martial art that deserves to be practiced more in the US. My favorite part of the kendo is that the practice and effort ALWAYS reflects results in tournaments. I started practicing kendo when I was 11 years old. In Japan, many people started kendo when they were in first grade in elementary school, so I was rather late starting kendo. Knowing that, I went to every practice and even went outside the dojo in order to practice as much as I could. As a result, I was able to win my first kendo tournament in my division. This feeling of accomplishment then becomes a driving force that makes you want to reach higher and higher to the point where you thought it would never get to. In kendo, effort never lies and will always help you in tournaments!" — Kouta

John Honda (11)
Kendo 4-Kyu, LOS Kendo Dojo (California)
Southern California Kendo Federation

John started Kendo just a few years ago, at age 7! He is a member of the Southern California Kendo Federation, and LOS Kendo Dojo where he practices with his brother, father, and mother Judy Honda Sensei, a former member of Team USA. Even though he is our youngest Sponsored Kenshi at 10 years old, John has made a name for himself by placing and winning at tournaments across California, including the AUSKF Junior Nationals! We love hanging out with John at events. He’s a familiar face at our booth, always full of energy and ready to lend a hand. We are truly honored to be a part of his bright and promising Kendo career!

"Kendo to me means friendship. One of the most treasured things in my life are my friends. I have friends from school, my neighborhood, pretty much everywhere I go! At least half of my friends come from kendo. I enjoy kendo because it keeps me active. Usually after school I do my homework, grab a snack, and read a stack of books. But kendo keeps me from sitting on the couch reading all day. My brother is usually busy with homework so we can’t play volleyball or do other fun activities when I want to, and when he’s available I am usually in the middle of a good book! I also like kendo because of the tournaments. I get to see all my friends and maybe get the chance of fighting them and winning! Then after I’m all done with my matches, what I look forward to seeing the most is my favorite people at California Budogu and all the cool merch!" — John

Kai Edwards (24)
Kendo 4-Dan, Sei Tou Ken Yu Kai, Canterbury Kendo Club (New Zealand)
New Zealand Kendo Federation

Our second Kai—and our first ever international sponsored Kenshi! Kai is both a model and a student at the University of Canterbury. He began his Kendo journey at the age of 11 and has since represented New Zealand at major tournaments, including the New Zealand National Championships, the Asian Open Kendo Championships, and even the World Kendo Championships. He is currently training to represent his country once again at the 20th World Kendo Championships in Tokyo.

We first met Kai at the 19th World Kendo Championships in Milan, where he was competing as a member of the New Zealand national team. His Sensei spoke very highly of him, sharing that he is not only a strong competitor, but also a great person who is well-liked throughout the region. At such a young age, Kai has built an impressive record in Kendo, while also having prior experience in the Budogu industry. Already sponsored by both protein and supplement companies, Kai may be one of the most sponsored Kenshi in the world. We’re honored to have him as part of our team and look forward to supporting his journey!

"Kendo is my way of staying connected to my Japanese roots. Growing up, I was inspired by Japanese heroes like Ultraman and Kamen Rider, putting on bogu made me feel like I could step into that world myself. My journey into kendo began after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Before that, I trained in Kyokushin karate from the age of four to ten, but had to stop due to the circumstances. Kendo became a new path forward, one that allowed me to continue my martial arts journey while deepening my cultural connection. Now, representing New Zealand at various competitions including the WKC and AOKC, kendo has taken on a deeper meaning. It’s no longer just personal—it’s a responsibility. I carry the ambition to showcase the very best of what New Zealand can offer, while pushing boundaries and challenging the rest of the world." — Kai

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We know these Kenshi will go far—not just in Kendo, but in everything they do. We’re incredibly proud to be a part of their journeys, and we can’t wait to see where the future takes them. Tag along, and stay tuned for updates from these talented Kenshi!

Want to learn more about our Sponsored Kenshi Program? Or interested in becoming a Sponsored Kenshi and part of Team California Budogu? Shoot us a message at info@californiabudogu.com!