Junna Tsukii is a Filipino-Japanese karateka who represents the Philippines in various international competitions. Just recently, she won the silver medal in the women’s 50kg kumite at the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia—powering through despite some alleged controversy.
Four years earlier, she won the gold medal in the same event of the biennial meet. The 31-year-old martial artist’s biggest victory to date is her winning it all at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, USA.
Despite all the glory she has brought to the country, there are still those who go out of their way to criticize Tsukii’s Filipino heritage. Fed up with all unfair, sometimes mean-spirited comments, the bemedaled athlete responded to one of her detractors.
"Paano naging Pinay 'yan? Pangalan at histura walang bakas ng pagiging Filipino," one netizen wrote on Facebook.
On Saturday, Tsukii answered back.
“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 Philippine karate team for 6 years," Junna posted on her page.
"We wear the Filipino flag on our chest and work hard every day,” she added.
The hateful message seemed to have pierced through the five-time SEA games medalist as she had more to say on the comments section.
“More people will continue to be hurt by shallow actions like this. He should think hard about the foolish actions he took,” the athlete said.
Thankfully, Tsukii’s supporters, which included Hidilyn Diaz’s husband and trainer Julius Naranjo, came to her aid.
“Trust me, I know how you feel. I didn’t choose to look this way. Nor did I choose my nationality. At the end of this day, I am fighting for the Philippines, even if I’m not wanted nor recognized," Naranjo wrote.
"We are Filipino by blood, and giving our all to represent the country,” added the trainer, who's also currently busy in Diaz's Paris Olympics bid.
For good measure, Junna’s mother Lilia Tsukii also gave the bashers a piece of her mind.
"Ako ang mother ni Junna Tsukii. Siya ay half-Filipino. Japanese ang father niya na naging international coach ng karate sa Philippines for how many years.”
“Tigilan n'yo na ang mga sinasabi n'yo laban sa kanya,” Mrs. Tsukii pleaded.
(GM)