An Interview with Ms. Atsuko Wakai

By Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– Congratulations on defending your World Championship title, and thank you for taking the time to meet with us this afternoon.

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– You’re welcome.

Atsuko Wakai Today

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– When did you begin Karatedo, and why did you decide to study this art?

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
 – When I was very young, about 4 years old, I was in a terrible car accident. I was in the hospital for a long time, about four months, with a serious head injury.

The injury affected my nervous system, and I couldn’t move my body. My recovery was very slow. After I was released from the hospital, my parents enrolled me in a Karatedo dojo to help me regain my strength and coordination.

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– What were your classes like? Were boys and girls in classes together or were they in separate classes?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– Boys and girls had classes together.

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– Did you do other sports in school?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– No… I only did Karatedo. It was something I really enjoyed.

Atsuko Wakai Superinpei Kata at the 17th World Karate Federation WKF Championships in November 19th 2004 in Monterey Mexico

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– What made you begin competition?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– In the beginning, it was just something that everyone was doing. We would train and then compete in various events. I never won anything, though.

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– What made you continue to compete?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– At first, I competed because everyone else was… but… when I did not do so well… I continued because I wanted to win at least once. After that… it just became something that I enjoyed.

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– In the United States, many Karatedoka focus on either Kata or kumite for competition. Did you have the same experience?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– No, actually, early in my competitive career, I did both kumite and Kata. In fact, I did kumite more.

Wakai Sensei keeps winning

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– When did you decide to focus more on Kata?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– I can’t remember which All Japan tournament it was but… I took third place in Kata. It was the best I had done at that level. After that… I concentrated more on Kata.

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– We heard, at one time, you seriously considered retiring. What’s the story behind this?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– Several years ago, there was a period when I seemed to have reached my peak. No matter what I did, I couldn’t break into the top two. It was a very frustrating time, and I seriously considered retiring. Then, a good friend and fellow Japanese Team member, Shinichi Hasegawa, told me I couldn’t quit. He thought I was very close to taking my skills to the next level, getting past the plateau. In order to do that, I had to recommit myself to my training and my goals. It was shortly after than when I won the All Japan Championships and a number of subsequent tournaments.

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– Now that you’ve successfully defended your title and won your second consecutive World Kata Championship, what are your plans and future goals?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– I still have a few tournaments left this year, the All Japan Championships in December and one or two others. After that we’ll see. I’m not ruling out the World Championships in 2002!

Atsuko Wakai keeps winning 17th World Karate WKF Championships Monterrey Mexico November 19 2004

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– How often do you train?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– I’m very lucky. The construction company I work for, Ichikawa Komuten, has been very supportive of my training and competition schedule. They have a company Karatedo club and allow me to teach. A few of the club members (Akiko Takasaki & Midori Nishgaki) are here in Munich to support the Japanese team.

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– Several of your students at the Ichikawa Komuten club have done quite well in competition and are ranked in Japan. Didn’t a few of them go to America with you earlier this year?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– Yes… we were fortunate enough to do well. Three of my students (Akiko Takasaki, Kiyomi Yabuta and Yuko Nagao) joined me on my last trip to the United States and competed. We all enjoyed our visit and hope to return there in the coming year

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– Do you use any traditional training methods or equipment?

Atsuko Wakai Karate Legend

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– I use the sashi to train (with supplementary equipment).

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– How do you prepare for Kata?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– I prefer to understand the meaning behind the Kata and the techniques being done. My intent is to know the Kata so well that it becomes a part of me. The timing, focus, speed and power throughout the Kata have to be ingrained, that’s how consistency is developed. Then, I just do what I’ve practiced to the best of my ability at each competition.

Atsuko Wakai

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– Who do you look up to or admire?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– Suzuko (Okamura) Hamasaki is someone I really admire! She was the first Women’s World Kata Champion in 1980. The first time I saw her, I wanted to be just like her.

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– What words of advice do you have for children and teenagers who want to become world champions?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– Listen to your sensei and follow their instructions. Develop strong consistent basics. Stay focused on your goals. Believe in yourself, even when you get frustrated or disappointed. Most of all, you have to really enjoy Karatedo, deep down. That will get you through the rough times.

Atsuko Wakai orange jacket

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
 – Do you have any long range goals you would like to share with our readers?

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– When I retire from competition, I plan to work with children as a coach. I really enjoy working with children. I think I can share some things that will help them improve their Karatedo and have fun in the process.

Mrs. Teru Enomoto-Heyl [A.S.]:
– Thank you very much for this interview and the best of luck in your upcoming competitions

Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei:
– You’re very welcome.

More about Ms. Astuko Wakai.

Born September 9th 1971, Ms. Atsuko Wakai Sensei has been the most reviewed member of Seigokan [Gifu Dojo] Gojuryu Karatedo in recent years. At only 163 cm and 57kg her primary winning focus has not been Kumite however the elite International level Women’s Kata Divisions. For competition training she travels to Osaka for coaching with her male counterpart Mr. Ryoki Abe with the JKF coach Mr. Akira Shiomi Sensei. Mr. Shiomi Sensei is also the Chief Technical Director of the JKF Gojukai.

Ms. Atsuko Wakia Sensei recent credits include:

http://www.atsuko-wakai.jp/