With Karate’s Olympic Future Uncertain, Sakura Kokumai Eyes Strong Showing At Pan Am Games
Kokumai, a 2020 Olympian, will go from the world championships in Hungary right to Chile for the Pan Am Games.
Athlete Bio#
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Height
5'7"
Age
37
Hometown
Queens, NY
Education
Bronx HS of Science Long Island University (B.S. 2013), Queens College (M.S. 2015), West Texas A&M University (M.B.A. 2016)
Quick Facts
- I started karate because I I loved Dragon Ball Z and wanted to be just like Goku. So what better way to be like Goku than learn Karaté. In all actuality I was a very overweight kid and my mom probably only obliged to get me fit
- Leaving a positive impact on those I impact in my Karaté journey, both my personal students and the younger athletes who I can hopefully inspire to be themselves, not be confined or restricted by “the box” and conventional thinking, to be willing to outwork others, and most importantly to never give up
- Three things people may not know about me: I'm a savvy shopper and love finding deals. I was born on my grandmother's 50th birthday. Lastly, my middle name is John
- "Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise." - Kobe Bryant
Career Highlights
- 5x USA National Champion
- 2x Pan American Bronze Medalist
- Jr PKF Gold Medalist
- 3x North American Champion
- 2x US Open Silver Medalist, 5x Bronze Medalist
- Wasquehal Open Bronze Medalist
- Pan American Championships Silver Medalist (2012)
World Championship Experience
- Most recent: 2023 – 21th (-67kg Kumite - Men)
- Years of participation: -67kg Kumite - Men 2012, 2016, 2021, 2023; Team Kumite - Men 2010, 2016, 2021; -60kg Kumite - Men 2008
- Medals: 1 (1 bronze)
- Bronze – 2012 (-67kg Kumite - Men)
