Hachioji CampusRising Star Aoi Funada Secures 3rd Place in Prestigious All Japan Karatedo Championships

Aoi Funada, a fourth-year student from Teikyo University's Faculty of Medical Technology, showcased exceptional skill and determination on Sunday at the 51st Emperor's and Empress's Cup All Japan Karatedo Championships held at the iconic Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, last December 10th. Competing in the men's individual kata event, Funada faced stiff competition in the qualifying round, featuring talented athletes, including Teikyo University alumni. Undeterred, he advanced through the semi-final round to secure an impressive third place in a tightly contested battle.

Notably, this marked Funada's first appearance in a domestic competition since his triumphant win at the All Japan Student Karate Championship in July, where he clinched victory for the third consecutive time. Despite narrowly missing out on the finals, Funada's performance in the semi-final round, executing the Chatanyara Kusanku, demonstrated a remarkable level of perfection, highlighting the precision and sharpness of his techniques. The 51st Emperor's and Empress's Cup All Japan Karatedo Championships is a prestigious gathering, bringing together representatives from prefectural governments, school federations, high school athletic federations, and business corporations. The competition aims to determine the top karateka in Japan, transcending ranks. As this tournament marks the culmination of Funada's student competitive journey, it also signifies the beginning of a new chapter. Keep a watchful eye on Aoi Funada's continued evolution beyond the tournament arena, as he transitions into the next phase of his karate journey.

Main results (students/graduates)
Male Individual Form
3rd place: Aoi Funada (4th year Faculty of Medical Technology), Ken Okamoto (Graduated in 2022, Aomori Prefectural Office)
5th place: Masaru Motoichi (Graduated in 2017, AGP Co., Ltd.)
7th place: Ryuji Moto (Graduated in 2019, E-Guarantee Co., Ltd.)

Women's Individual Kumite
5th place: Miho Miyahara (2nd year Graduate School, Teikyo University)

Click here for tournament results
Click here for information about Teikyo University Karate Club

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