Atsuko Wakai
| Atsuko Wakai | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 12, 1971 Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan |
| Residence | Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan |
| Style | Seigokan Goju-ryu Karate |
| Teacher(s) | Akira Shiomi |
| Rank | 5th dan karate (JKF) |
| Website | www |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women's karate | ||
Representing  Japan
|
||
| World Games | ||
 |
1997 Lahti | Kata individual |
|
2001 Akita | Kata individual |
|
2005 Duisburg | Kata individual |
| Karate World Championships | ||
|
1998 Rio de Janeiro | Kata individual |
|
2000 Munich | Kata individual |
|
2002 Madrid | Kata individual |
|
2004 Monterrey | Kata individual |
| Asian Games | ||
|
1998 Bangkok | Kata individual |
|
2002 Busan | Kata individual |
Atsuko Wakai (若井 敦子 Wakai Atsuko?, born September 12, 1971) is a Japanese practitioner of karate who has won many international and Japanese national competitions in kata (patterns), including unprecedented numbers of consecutive titles in World Karate Federation (WKF) and All Japan Karatedo championships. She holds the rank of 5th dan black belt from the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF), training in Seigokan Goju-ryu karate.
Wakai was born on September 12, 1971, in Gifu, Japan. When she was 4 years old, she was involved in an automobile accident; the severe head injuries forced her to recover in hospital for four months. When she had turned 6 years old, her parents enrolled her at the Goju-ryu karate dojo (training hall) Chusetsu Gifu of Seigokan, under the leadership of Yasufumi Ono Shihan (8th Dan) to help her regain strength and coordination.
Wakai graduated from Kyomachi Elementary School in 1984, Inaba Junior High School in 1987, and Gifu Dai-Ichi Girls' Senior High School in 1990. She then studied business for two years at Kinki University, graduating in 1992. While she had competed in karate locally, it was while at university that she began competing intensively. Originally, she competed in both kata and kumite (sparring), but after taking a third place in kata at an All Japan tournament, she focused on that aspect of competition.
Unusually, Wakai did not make it onto the Japanese national karate squad until after she graduated from university—the time when most Japanese karate competitors retire from competition to focus on their professional careers. Wakai has identified Suzuko Hamasaki (née Okamura) as her main inspiration. In an interview in 2000, she said, "Suzuko 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." Wakai has been coached by Akira Shiomi, JKF Gojukai Chief Technical Director, and also Yoshimi Inoue at one point.
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