Tsukii eyes more glory
Junna Tsukii is craving for more success following her victorious stint in the women’s 50-kg kumite event of the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
Tsukii said she is far from done as she is determined to win the gold medals in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 19th Asian Games next year.
The 30-year-old Tsukii said she is now more confident to compete and regain the glory she used to have in the regional and continental levels.
“Of course, I want to get back the gold medal in the SEA Games. Back when I got the bronze in the Asian Games, I was just training in the Philippines and didn’t have international experience at that time,” said Tsukii, the second Filipino athlete to win a World Games gold medal, during her thanksgiving dinner to select reporters late Saturday.
“Now, I am confident that I can get the gold medals since I beat athletes from Japan, Chinese Taipei and all the best players in the World Games. I am more confident for next year’s competitions.”
Of course, I want to get back the gold medal in the SEA Games.
Aside from the World Games gold, Tsukii had also won a pair of gold medals in the Karate1 Premier League, a competition where only the top 32 karatekas from all over the world were invited.
She is now at No. 5 in the women’s 50-kg kumite ranking of the World Karate Federation.
Tsukii said she is not just more confident, but she is also calm and focused whenever she heads for crucial matches.
“Being confident and relaxed helped me out. During tournaments, there’s a chance you might get pressured, making me feel stressed and affecting my diet,” Tsukii said.