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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Hometown
Scottsdale, Arizona
Quick Facts
- I started karate when I was 5 years old
- This is my first time making the Junior US Team!
- My real life superhero is: Simone Biles. She puts in so much hard work and time into her sport, always keeps a positive attitude, and seems very kind
- My biggest win happened the very first time I competed at US Nationals in 2010 at the age of 9. I took gold in intermediate kumite and bronze in intermediate kata. Competing at that national tournament motivated me to pursue sport karate even more
- I love the feeling of going out on to the mat and competing. I enjoy the adrenaline and the challenge. It gives me something to work toward in my karate training, and I love learning something new with every competition, win or lose
- "You may not realize when it happens but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." -- Walt Disney
