(Photo: Meidai sports)
On September 27, the 2026 All Japan Nippon Kempo Championship was held at Asue Arena Osaka, and YAMADA Taiki (a third-year student in the School of Law) from the Kempo Club won the 66th All Japan Nippon Kempo Individual Championship. The tournament is a national championship featuring competitors ranging from elementary school students to adults across all divisions. About 100 people, including university students, working adults and foreign athletes, participated in the adult men’s event.
YAMADA advanced through the tournament and defeated KADONO Kohei of Koyukai Honbu Dojo in the final to win the title. After being eliminated in the fourth round of the previous year’s tournament, he rebounded to win this year’s championship and claim the men’s title in the men’s division. It was Meiji University’s first championship victory in two years, since TSUCHIYA Taisei (a third-year student in the School of Arts and Letters) won the title in 2024. YAMADA became the fourth Meiji University athlete to win the championship.
YAMADA also won the men’s under 81 kg division at the All Japan Weight-Class Nippon Kempo Championship held in February 2026. He has achieved strong results, including winning the Dan Division title at the 39th East Japan Student Individual Championships held in May.
YAMADA advanced through the tournament and defeated KADONO Kohei of Koyukai Honbu Dojo in the final to win the title. After being eliminated in the fourth round of the previous year’s tournament, he rebounded to win this year’s championship and claim the men’s title in the men’s division. It was Meiji University’s first championship victory in two years, since TSUCHIYA Taisei (a third-year student in the School of Arts and Letters) won the title in 2024. YAMADA became the fourth Meiji University athlete to win the championship.
YAMADA also won the men’s under 81 kg division at the All Japan Weight-Class Nippon Kempo Championship held in February 2026. He has achieved strong results, including winning the Dan Division title at the 39th East Japan Student Individual Championships held in May.