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.

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.

Coming so agonisingly close is just fuel for the fire, Sakuyama said.

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“I proved that my opponents are not Japanese CrossFitters in the semi-finals. I always compete against the other countries’ athletes. I want to be the best in Asia.”

Part of her success she credits to following retired five-time CrossFit Games winner Mat Fraser’s HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off) plan. Through this, she does specific training blocks throughout the week with two rest days, and also swimming and trail running to top it off. For recovery, she visits a chiropractor once a week and regularly uses an electric muscle stimulator for pain relief from minor injuries.

When it comes to her diet she said not being perfect, but remaining healthy, is the key.

“I’m not strict. I don’t weigh the amount of food. I eat rice with raw egg almost every day. I don’t eat junk food and I don’t drink soda. I know I should eat vegetables, but I don’t eat vegetables often. So I drink vegetable smoothies every day. I treat myself to a hamburger once a month too.”

She wants to help inspire the next generation of Japanese kids to get into CrossFit, but knows there are a number of barriers standing in her way. Fewer than 700 Japanese people competed in the CrossFit Open, from a country of 126 million, and there are fewer than 50 CrossFit “boxes”, which affiliated gyms are known as, in the Asian nation.

Sakuyama added she thinks the biggest barrier to entry right now is pricing, as CrossFit memberships can run upwards of HK$2,000 a month.

“People think it’s too expensive,” she said. “That is one of the reasons why CrossFit is not popular in Japan. I think we need to teach CrossFit to teenagers who will be athletes in the future. I hope young people can do CrossFit at a lower price.”

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