Meet Aja!

@itsmymove_nz

Aja trains at Fushin Ryu Karate in Auckland.

Every story is unique, this is her story:

“I began karate in my home town, originally with shukokai karate. There were flyers around town advertising to join karate, so I tried it out and have loved it ever since!

Some of my main achievements have been being selected into the New Zealand team from the age of 11, being awarded Central Otago spirit award for karate and being awarded sportswomen of the year at my school. I have also been national champ for the past 3 years, bit cheeky as 1 year was cut due to covid!!

Some things that have definitely kept me going is my amazing support system, and my friends who I do the sport with. They motivate me to train. A obstacle in my sport has been the passing of my Sensei, Chris McGregor, which was a huge set back for me. When I moved to Auckland to study away from home, I chose to join Fushin Ryu, because they treated me like one of their own.

Another set back for me was definitely at a stage where my mental health was at rock bottom. I almost completely quit karate, but then thought what I was going to lose…the family and supportive environment. A great motivation for me was realising what I had to lose after working so hard to gain it.” - @_ajatatebell_

#itsmymove #shemoves #karatenewzealand #worldkaratefederation #sportnz

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgIl2pGN1Dr/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Article added: Monday 08 August 2022