Fil-Japanese karateka Junna Tsukii has left competitive karate to join the world of professional MMA.
The 2022 Birmingham World Games champion has been lined up to fight Ruka Sakamoto in August in Odaiba, Japan.
“Thank you for your warm support,” said Tsukii, who became part of the Philippine national karate team seven years ago.
“I have decided to graduate from an active karate player for 26 years and move on to MMA. The stage will change, but I will try my best to make it exciting with all of you, so I would appreciate your continued warm support.”
Although she failed in her bid to join the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Tsukii got herself a silver medal in the Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games. She is also a silver medalist in the 2021 Asian Championships.
Despite her age and several injuries, the 32-year-old proclaimed she is “much stronger than before.”
“I just want to fly around the world and go crazy to death, and apply more to my life. Excited to do more with everyone. What’s the difference between age and the word of the body and the word of your life?” she said.
“Of course I have a lot of pain, but I want to keep pushing forward, believing that there is a story that only I can draw. Thank you very, very, very much. And thank you in advance.”
