A world champion in karate, Elisa Au was born and raised in Honolulu. She began karate training at the age of five under the guidance of master Chuzo Kotaka. Now with over three decades of experience under her belt, she has achieved numerous pioneering firsts and secured many medals, such as her title as a three-time World Karate Champion. She is the Chair of the USA National Karate-do Federation, President of the World Karate Federation’s National Federation of the United States, a passionate entrepreneur and a mother of two. Tokyo Journal Editor-in-Chief Anthony Al-Jamie sat down with Elisa Au to learn more about her achievement as the first American woman to win a World Karate Federation championship and to talk about the latest developments in karate, her journey into the sport, what she loves most about karate and her involvement with the Guardian girls Initiative.