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.
Gianna Pelzer
Athlete Bio#
Hometown
Naperville, IL
Personal
I started karate when I was 5...This is my 4th time making the team and competing at PK 12-13 -35kg kumite 12-13 -40kg kumite 14-15 -47kg kumite and now 16-17 -48kg kumite...My Senseis are my heroes because they got me where I am today. Without their help and the training they provide I would not be where I am today....My biggest win was the 2016 Junior PanAmerican Karate Championships in Ecuador. What made it better is that I didn't allow anyone to score on me the entire tournament....I love competition because of the excitement of facing new people and seeing competitors and friends from other dojos around the country and world....The optimist sees opportunity in every danger; The pessimist sees danger in every opportunity - Winston ChurchillCareer Highlights
- 4x Junior US Team Member
