Philippine karate banking on Fil-Japanese to enter Tokyo Olympics

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Japanese karateka Junna Tsukii could be the country’s best bet in the sport to earn a spot in the Tokyo Olympics set July 29 to August 4.

“Realistically speaking, there are three ways for Junna (Tsukii) to qualify, and her best chance is the Paris qualifiers,” said Karate Pilipinas president Richard Lim in Tuesday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association.

Lim was referring to the Olympic qualifying event in Paris, France in June where the top three advances.

There are actually several ways for Tsukii, as well as other aspirants, to make the cut — by finishing in the top four in the Olympic ranking system where one gains points from competing in the Premier League and World Championships, top two in the regionals and as a wild card.

In the ranking system, Tsukii is currently ranked 10th and while the Premier League is still ongoing, she would need to thread through the proverbial eye of the needle to qualify through it.

Tsukii, however, is closer in the regionals where she is ranked No. 3 and Lim is hoping she would be considered.

“She is No. 3 in the region right now we’re hoping she would be considered,” said Lim. “Of course, there is still the wild card.”

Tsukii has the benefit of training in Japan and in Serbia late last year. She is also scheduled to compete in the Premier League on February 14 in Portugal.

Tsukii though is not the only one the country is relying on to make Tokyo cut as the likes of Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jamie Lim and bronze medal winner Joane Orbon are also being tipped to make a big splash in Paris.

With exception of Tsukii, who is in Japan, and Orbon, who is in Orlando, Florida, Lim and the other locally based Olympic hopefuls are training with fellow aspirants from boxing and taekwondo at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.

From there, the national karatekas is hoping to join Tsukii in Portugal and Istanbul, Turkey the week after for a three-month camp.

By May 15, they will return to the country and fly to Paris for that one final shot at an Olympic spot.