Whiz Kid Wins National Fencing Championship

Since he was a child, junior Kaito Streets loved playing with toy swords. It was then that his mother tried to steer him in the direction of fencing with classes through the Redwood City . He wasn’t interested.

Luckily for him, he decided to stick with it because he has won multiple national fencing championships, most recently the 20 and Under National Championship and the Team National Championship in Dallas back in February.

“I love fencing,” Streets said. “It’s allowed me to travel to places that most people wouldn’t be able to go.”

Tournaments have brought the 16-year-old across the Atlantic to countries like Poland, Hungary, France, Germany, Russia and England, as well as several cities within the United States, according to his father, Simon Streets.

“I liked London. It was a whole other world,” Kaito said. “Just to see the other side of the world was very interesting. People had such different personalities.”

But with all this country-hopping comes a price. Kaito said he’s had to miss several days of school. And as a student in the International Baccalaureate program, which offers a more rigorous courseload, Kaito said it’s been difficult to keep up. But teachers have been flexible and understanding. 

Though he finished first in the most recent tournament, he didn’t receive enough points to land in the top three of his age group, which would have catapulted him to the World Championships in two weeks.

But he said he isn’t discouraged. He also is on the varsity baseball team at Sequoia High and has begun the spring season.

But fencing is still his focus, and he said he’s looking forward to starting again in July.

“I’ll be fencing with older guys, which is good,” Kaito said. “There’s always a lot to improve.”

Precisely what college recruiters look for, Kaito said. Two colleges, Ohio State and Notre Dame, have already sent emails regarding recruitment and Kaito is exploring his other options, including Ivy League schools like Harvard, Columbia and Princeton.

“We’re just so thrilled that he’s found his passion,” Simon said. “It’s not only fun but it really helps with development and growth.”

But for a student who has excelled so much in a sport, he said academics are still his top priority. Simon said that Kaito is preparing to take the SATs in May and June, important tests for any college applicant.

“It’s always school first,” Kaito said. “It’s tough to balance, but I manage my time well, doing my work on planes.”