About.

Dr. Kate Sylvester is an adjunct fellow of Victoria University, Australia and is currently based in Stockholm, Sweden.

Kate started kendo as an high school exchange student in Japan and has trained at elite university and police institutions in Japan. A kendo practitioner of 33-years, she is ranked 6 dan renshi. As head coach of the women and men’s Australian National Kendo Team (2015-2018), she led the women’s team to place 3rd, which was Australia’s first medal at a World Kendo Championship. In her recent leadership role, Kate was head coach of the Swedish Women’s National Kendo Team (2021-2024). She has represented her country at 8 World Kendo Championships as a player and coach. She is a head instructor at FSKA in Stockholm and is the head co-ordinator of the Stockholm Women’s Kendo Camp.

Kate advocates for co-creating safe and inclusive spaces in kendo and other MACS (Martial Art and Combat Sport) communities through her writing, research, and leadership.