Markus Arfert Wins Sweden's First Kendo European Championship Gold in 32 Years

Markus Arfert, a 26-year-old kendo practitioner from Stockholm, has made history by winning Sweden's first European Championship gold in kendo in 32 years. This milestone victory took place on June 10, 2025, in Leiden, Netherlands, where Arfert triumphed over British competitor James Wright in a thrilling final. Despite falling behind early in the match, Arfert recovered to secure a 2-1 victory, expressing that the win felt surreal and reflecting on the strong support from his teammates: "No one becomes strong in a vacuum."

Kendo, known as 'the way of the sword,' is a traditional Japanese martial art, emphasizing discipline and respect while utilizing bamboo swords called shinai. In Sweden, the sport has around 500 practitioners, compared to over 1.6 million in Japan.

Arfert’s rigorous training regimen includes six sessions per week, which he manages alongside his career as a nurse, where his colleagues view his accomplishments with admiration. His victory marks a significant moment for Swedish kendo, as the country has not seen individual success at this level since Mats Wahlqvist won in 1993. Looking to the future, Arfert aims to further improve, eyeing wins at upcoming championships and planning to achieve higher dan ranks within the sport. He emphasized the importance of emotional control during matches, stating, "You never finish with kendo; there is always more to learn and develop."

Arfert's gold medal not only resonates with his personal journey but represents a resurgence in Swedish kendo as a respected competitive sport.