Hana Furumoto-Deshaies

Biography

• In April 2023 became just the second Canadian to win a gold medal on the Karate1 Series A tour; claimed the -55kg title in Richmond, B.C. just three months after her first career Series A podium when she won bronze in Athens, Greece 
• Debuted on the top-level Karate1 Premier League tour in March 2016; reached the quarterfinals on the circuit for the first time in January 2023 in Cairo, Egypt and followed up with another quarterfinal appearance in June 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan  
• Reached a career-high of third in the WKF -55kg kumite world rankings following her silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Championships; had won bronze in 2022 
• Has competed internationally in both kumite and kata, primarily as a junior, including two appearances at the WKF World Junior Championships, once in each discipline 

A Little More About Hana

Getting into the Sport: Started in karate at age 5 and began competing locally at age 10… Her father enrolled her in lessons because he saw her being bullied at a party… She spent the first few lessons sulking in a corner… Sister, Lisa, was also a member of Canada’s Junior National Karate team… Outside Interests: Named as Athlete Director on Karate Canada’s Board of Directors… Enjoys kizomba, surfing, learning about psychology and personal development…