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#
Hometown
Fontana, CA
Quick Facts
- I started karate when I was 6 and this is the first time I have made the Junior National Team!
- Before a major competition, I train for 12 hours a week plus cross training at the gym and studying other fighters
- .I'm a music nerd. I sing, and play guitar and piano
- .My mom is my real life hero. She is extremely hardworking and has done her best to take care of her kids, even if that means working long days and extra work on weekends. She is my best friend and I wouldn't be where I am today without her
- .Nationals this year was my biggest win. I was so psyched out after looking at the roster for my division, and I was extremely nervous, but I ended up going out and winning the division with the help of my coach and the support of my whole team
- .My coach is my inspiration. He was on the US team for a couple years in the 90's, he also helped raise me growing up so he always had a major influence in my training and inspired me to try to make the junior national team this year
- ."It aint how hard you hit; its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. Thats how winning is done."
