Sakura Kokumai

How many gold medalists do you have in your life? We have one, and we get to try self defense with her.

Sakura Kokumai operates from self confidence, not fear. Growing up in both Hawaii and Japan, she talks about how she had a sense she was different, how work ethic overrides pure talent, and what it takes to be a karate champion, in real life.

Photography by Leslie Colon

If you want to read the entire interview with Sakura, please get your hands on a copy of It’s Okay to Try, our newest magazine!

β€” Sakura Kokumai