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
Derby, KS
Quick Facts
- This is my second year trying out for the team and my second year making it. I received super bronze in 16-17 Elite Kata and received silver in 18-20 Elite Kata!
- My heroes are my parents because they work hard in everything they do which inspires me to do the same
- I listen to Indie/Pop and my favorite artist is Khalid
- A hidden talent of mine is that I can play the ukulele
- I love the way competition pushes me. The level of kata being performed is constantly improving and it pushes me harder to improve my kata as well
- I get my inspiration from Sandra Sanchez, Shimzu, Grace Lau, and Ariel Torres. They are all hard workers and have beautiful kata. My coach, Jarrett Leiker, is also a big inspiration to me. He always pushes me, and instills confidence in me
- I love working towards the goals that competition brings. I am constantly working to place higher, score better, and improve my katas
- “She believed she could, so she did.”
