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
Hialeah, FL
Personal
I started karate at the age of 6...I have made the Junior US Team 3x, the first was when I went to Ecuador in 2016 which I got first place. Then in 2017 I got gold in my division and went to Pan Ams as well as worlds in Tenerife. In 2018, I unfortunately came up short and did not make team but in 2019 I came back on top of my division and will be representing my country in the Pan Ams and the World Championships....My dad is my hero because he is so dedicated to his work and anything he does. He is always trying to make my life the easiest and the best it can be....My biggest win was the 2016 Nationals because it showed me that when you put in the work, anything is possible. Making the USA Team for the first time and seeing how good it feels to be on the team - I didn't want to lose that feeling. ..."You can't break the unbreakable"Career Highlights
- World Junior, Cadet & U21 Championships, Konya, 2022 (-67kg Kumite (U21) - Men)
- World Junior, Cadet & U21 Championships, Santiago, 2019 (-61kg Kumite - Men)
- World Junior, Cadet & U21 Championships, Tenerife, 2017 (-52kg Kumite - Men)
