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.
[1][2] She holds the rank of 6th dan black belt from the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF),[1] training in Seigokan Goju-ryu karate.
[4][5][6] 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.
[5] 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 Ohno Shihan (8th Dan) to help her regain strength and coordination.
"[5] Wakai has been coached by Akira Shiomi, JKF Gojukai Chief Technical Director,[3][5][7][8] and also Yoshimi Inoue at one point.
[1] That same year, she received an Honor of Merit and Distinguished Service from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.