By Myris Lee
Filipino-Japanese karateka Junna Tsukii is back to the grindstone for the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam that will start next week.
The stronger and bolder Tsukii aims to grab two gold for this edition of the biennial meet in addition to her first gold from the women’s 50 kilogram kumite in the 2019 Manila SEA Games.
Tsukii will defend her gold medal in the category, while her second target is a gold medal from the women’s team kumite with 2019 SEA Games gold medalist Jamie Lim, bronze medalist Mae Soriano, and the new Filipino-Japanese member of the national team Lemon Misu.
“I must get gold because I need to show my experience in the world. I did a lot of sacrifice, gave all my energy and life for that, so my preparation is perfect,“Tsukii said in an exclusive interview with PTV Digital.
After her failed Tokyo Olympic Bid last year, Tsukii will make it up in the 2022 Asian Games and World Games after Hanoi, since karate is not included in 2024 Paris Olympics
The country’s pride also plans to surpass her fourth rank in the World Karate Federation 50-kilogram kumite category.
“They removed Karate after Tokyo. World Games, they chose based on ranks and after that Asian Games is also an important tournament for us. After Hanoi, I have to prepare, tuloy-tuloy just like last year,” she said.
Meanwhile, The Philippine National Karate Team is set to begin their Hanoi SEA Games journey on May 18 until 21 in Ninh Binh Gymnasium. – ag
