Photo from Junna Tsukii Facebook
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino-Japanese karateka Junna Tsukii clapped back at netizens who questioned her Filipino heritage following her loss in the women’s -50kg kumite final at the Southeast Asian Games on Saturday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
In a post on Facebook, Tsukii hit out at one particular commenter, who crossed the line.
“What is your idea of Filipino-ness? First of all, my mother is Filipino. I was born in Pasay. I have been a member of the Filipino team for 6 years. We wear the Filipino flag on our chest and work hard every day,” Tsukii, the World Games champion, wrote.
“But unlike these people, I am proudly fighting with my face and name. I am proud of my brave heart and of my mother who gave me Filipino blood,” she added.
The post was Tsukii’s response to a comment that read, “Pano naging pinay yan? Pangalan at hitsura walang bakas ng pagiging Pilipino.”
(How is she a Filipino? There’s not a hint in her name and face that show semblance of a Filipino.)”
Tsukii had every reason to be upset on Saturday after she felt robbed of the gold medal match against Malaysia’s Chandran Shahmalarani.
“I am sorry I could not meet your expectations. I lost the final by the referee’s decision,” Tsukii said in a separate Facebook post.
“I am sorry but I did not stand on the podium because I do not want to be able to accept the unfair judges this time. But all athletes have sacrificed and walked for this moment, and I want to honor and congratulate everyone,” she added.