Junna sets up camp in Saitama under father’s guidance

In her pursuit of a slot in the Tokyo Olympics, ace Filipino karateka Junna Tsukii has established her own training camp in Saitama, Japan, where she will continue to hone her talent under the watchful eyes of father-coach Shin Tsukii.

This setup was approved by Karate Pilipinas president Ricky Lim as Junna prepares to compete against some of the best in the world.

“Junna has decided to train with her father. I have no problem with that. She has my support if she’s comfortable with that setup,’’ Lim told the Inquirer.Seeking spots in the Olympics, the Philippine karatedo team is currently inside a bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna province, and will fly to Turkey on March 15 for a 60-day training camp.

Two-time Pan American champion Joane Orbon, from California, will join Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist Jamie Lim, Sharif Afif, Alwyn Batican, Ivan Agustin, Jason Macaalay and Matthew Manantan in Turkey where they will see action in closed-door pocket meets.As for Tsukii, the SEA Games women’s 50kg kumite gold medalist is planning to schedule a camp in Serbia after competing in the Karate 1 Premier League in Istanbul on March 12 to raise her Olympic chances.

“She’s been performing well, I don’t want to go against her momentum,’’ said Lim.

Tsukii is currently ranked 10th in the world in her weight class.