Kaori Hernandez | Jujitsu World Champion
What got you involved in the sport, and who were the people who helped you get into the sport?
I got involved in the sport because of my younger brother. He was going through some issues in school and we found the gym because one of my parents customers was the owner of the gym. He invited us in and started training. The customer is now my professor. His name is Orlando Sanchez. He is the owner of the school, and he is a very decorated athlete to date.
What has been your biggest achievement to date, and what is your ultimate goal in martial arts?
My biggest achievement is winning the World Championships for the fifth time as an adult in the blue belt division. My ultimate goal in martial arts is winning many more world championships but now as a purple belt, brown belt, black belt and hopefully owning a school in the future.
Who has been your biggest role model outside the sport, and who is your biggest in the sport?
My biggest role model outside of the sport is perhaps my mother and father. They are very strong people. They have taught me very important lessons. They have taught me to respect myself, to keep going, don't give up and don't forget who you are. My biggest role model in the sport is my professor. He has gone through a lot of obstacles in his life, and thankfully he has surpassed them. He is now one of the biggest stars in the jujitsu community. Another role model is Ron Le, my personal trainer. He is a very professional and successful trainer who does an excellent job motivating me.
How has jujitsu helped your self-esteem?
Jujitsu helped my self-esteem by making more confident. When I started I was very insecure, however it taught me how to take risks and I got involved in a lot of things I never thought I was capable of doing.
What do you do to prepare for a competition? How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle?
When I prepare for competitions it is very intense. I compete at 107lbs which means I need to maintain my weight. I start eating healthy two months before, and it's pretty much protein, vegetables and fruits. I'll have a cheat meal every month but I can't have too many because if not my weight can go up. I train a lot, twice a day actually. I go to the gym and lift with my personal trainer, Ron Le.
Why do jujitsu and not other forms of martial arts?
I actually tried Karate for awhile, but it didn't really appeal to me probably because I was a lot younger. I didn't like it as much so after a few weeks I stopped going. However, once I started jujitsu it made me realize jujitsu isn't all about strength and force but it's more about leverage. You need to be thinking. If you want to get out of a difficult position, you need to think fast. Luckily it doesn't have to do with your size, but it has to do more with your brain.
For people starting out in the sport, what are some tips you would give?
I would say for people starting out in the sport just go with your instincts. Do whatever what comes naturally to you. You probably aren't going to get it in the beginning and that's fine, just keep going. You're going to love it. Anything that comes naturally to you if it's like pushing away from them or getting on top, just do it. It will slowly start coming to you, it will naturally come to you after while. You just need to keep going to understand it. Also have a lot of patience with it, don't give up.