Japanese CrossFit champion Yuko Sakuyama says ‘exercise is medicine’ as she guns for Games spot

The 34-year-old originally wanted to be a doctor, but received her master’s in sport medicine and now coaches

Yuko Sakuyama says her ultimate goal is to get to the CrossFit Games, and be the ‘best in Asia’

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Yuko Sakuyama of Japan said the ultimate goal is the CrossFit Games. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:00am, 21 Sep 2021

Yuko Sakuyama has been doing CrossFit for close to a decade, a long time in the sport given it is relatively young – the first iteration started in 2000. Sakuyama’s entire life has been about helping others through fitness, as far back as she can remember.

The Japanese women’s CrossFit country champion has always had a love for being active, but wanted to become a doctor. When that did not work out, Sakuyama said she went for the next best thing: making sure people stay out of the hospital in the first place.

“I wanted to be a medical doctor. Because my father is a paediatrician and my mother used to be a nurse,” said the 34-year-old. “But unfortunately I couldn’t become a doctor. Then, I thought I would be able to prevent diseases even if I couldn’t treat patients as a doctor.

“That’s why I became a CrossFit coach. I’ve dedicated my life to health and fitness. Because I want to be the role model for our members. I believe that exercise is medicine. It’s important for me to have an active lifestyle. Because it saves my life mentally and physically.”

Sakuyama did receive her master’s degree in sport medicine and a number of high-level coaching credentials in health and fitness. As Japan’s country champion for CrossFit (she finished first in the entire country at the 2021 CrossFit Open), Sakuyama can also add another title to her resume.

Yuko Sakuyama said she originally wanted to be a doctor, but now wants to help people stay active so they can avoid going to one. Photo: Handout

However, she said when it comes to competing in the sport, being the country champion does not mean anything unless you achieve the ultimate goal – reaching the CrossFit Games. Sakuyama finished fourth in the Asian semi-final earlier this year (CrossFit’s Asia Invitational), which meant she narrowly missed a spot in the Games, or a chance to qualify for the Games through the Last Chance Qualifier.