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
Brooklyn, NY
Quick Facts
- I started karate at 6 years old
- This is my 4th year making the Junior US Team. My first year was when I was about to turn 13, in the 12-13 female kumite -45kg division, then I made the team two times in the 14-15 female kumite -54kg, and finally this year in the 16-17 female kumite -59kg division
- My biggest win was getting 2nd place at the Pan American Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2017. I was extremely nervous competing in the 14-15 year old division having just turned 14. I knew I would be going against girls who were almost 16, and I knew I had to give it my all, and that is what I did, and I came out with a sliver medal
- "Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it." - George Halas
Career Highlights
- World Junior, Cadet & U21 Championships, Santiago, 2019 (-59kg Kumite - Women)
