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
Wheeling, IL
Personal
I have one younger brother, his name is Austin...This is my first time making the Junior US Team. I made it in Elite Kumite 14-15 -70kg...My real-life hero is my fight coach Sensei Frisvold. He has pushed me to be the best possible karate athlete that I can be. He always believes in me and has been my mentor. He always makes time for me to get in extra training too. I am very grateful to have him in my life....My biggest win so far was the 2019 US Open which was in Las Vegas. I finally realized that I can be one of the best Kumite fighters in the country after I won this. It really boosted my confidence and helped me really believe in myself. ..."Everybody has a dream, but not everybody has a grind" -Eric ThomasCareer Highlights
- World Junior, Cadet & U21 Championships, Santiago, 2019 (-70kg Kumite (Cadet) - Men)
