Meet the AAU Karate National Team

Suzanne Haynes has been training in karate since 2008 in the Shito Ryu style. She loves the AAU because, through the organization, she has the opportunity to travel and compete internationally.

Taylor Kaneshiro has been training in Shito Ryu Karate since 2001. Her favorite things about the AAU are the opportunities she has to grow as an athlete. Kaneshiro has been competing in AAU competitions for many years now, and each year the organization has pushed and encouraged her to do better. She is so thankful for that.

Kaitlin Leslie has been training in Shorin RyuKarate since 2004. She loves all aspects of the AAU for different reasons. The foremost being that she takes the opportunity she has been given to represented the United States of America very seriously, as part of the National Team competing all over the world. Secondly, she loves seeing and learning about other cultures, meeting new people and forging friendships not just overseas but here at home. She hopes these friendships will last a lifetime.

Maile Nacu has been training in Shotokan Karate since 2008. Her favorite thing about AAU is that everyone is kind, friendly and always supportive of each other.

Sensei Cyndy Yu-Robinson (Coach) has been training in Karate, Shotokan style, for 34 plus years. What she loves about AAU Karate is that the organization is aligned with the progression of an athlete from 'developing' to 'elite' to veteran and next stage - coach, official, or  administrator.

Good Luck to these 5 Amazing Women who are currently in Japan to train and compete!

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