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SEA Games: Karate's Tsukii responds to netizens questioning her nationality

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt=" EPA-EFE/file" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/overseas/07/11/junna.jpg"/><figcaption>Junna Tsukii of Philippines in action. Adi Weda, EPA-EFE/file</figcaption></figure></div>Karateka Junna Tsukii responded to netizens questioning her nationality shortly after settling for a silver medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.A netizen posed a question at the Filipino-Japanese on social media, citing that Tsukii did not look Filipino at all.“Pano naging pinay yan? Pangalan at hitsura walang bakas ng pagiging Pilipino,” said the netizen in a post.Tsukii came back online with a response: “What is your idea of Filipino-ness?&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/06/23/sea-games-malaysian-stuns-ph-karateka-tsukii">SEA Games: Malaysian stuns PH karateka Tsukii</a></li></ul>&quot;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,” said the decorated karatea.She pointed out that she proudly represents her country in international competitions.“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,” said Tsukii.Tsukii won a silver medal in the women’s 50kg kumite after her defeat against Malaysia&#x27;s Shahmalarani Chandran in the finals.The Filipina-Japanese was apologetic following her defeat especially after she felt robbed of the victory.“I am sorry I could not meet your expectations. I lost the final by the referee’s decision,” said the karateka who won a gold medal in the 12th World Games.“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.”Tsukii has won SEA Games gold for the Philippines in the 2019 edition of the event. She is also a bronze medalist in the 2018 Asian Games and won gold in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham.<div>For more stories on the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, click <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/seagames2023">here</a>.</div>

Karateka Junna Tsukii responded to netizens questioning her nationality shortly after settling for a bronze medasl in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.