James Wright, 22, started kendo at the age of six at Wakaba Kendo Club. He joined the Great Britain squad at 16 years old and has since represented his country at both junior and senior levels across Europe and the world. He currently holds the grade of 4th Dan and is a Master’s student at UCL.

James has represented Great Britain at the European Kendo Championships in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as the World Kendo Championships in 2024. His results include silver in the junior individuals at the 2019 Europeans, Best 8 in the men’s individuals at the 2023 Europeans, where he also received the Fighting Spirit Award, and Best 8 in the men’s individuals at the 2024 World Championships, again earning the Fighting Spirit Award. Most recently, in 2025, he achieved silver in the men’s individuals at the European Championships. In teams, he also reached the Best 8 at the European Championships in 2022 and 2023.

To further his development, James trains in Japan every year at Tsukuba University, Kokushikan University, and with the Metropolitan Police Kendo Tokuren, continuing to refine his skills and gain experience against some of the strongest kendo practitioners in the world. With nearly two decades of dedication to the art, James remains committed to competing at the highest level and contributing to the success of Team GB on the international stage.