The world champion in kata, Sandra Sánchez, will receive the MARCA Legend Award this Wednesday, January 24, at the Victoria Theater in Talavera de la Reina
The MARCA newspaper will recognize the professional career of the Olympic champion, Gold Medalist in Tokyo 2020, two-time world champion in 2018 and 2021, and seven-time European champion. She is also the only karateka in history to achieve the triple crown in the same year (Olympics, World Championship, and European Championship) in 2021.
Starting this Wednesday, January 24, at 6:00 PM, Sandra Sánchez will become the first Martial Arts athlete and the eighth female athlete to receive the MARCA Legend Award. This recognition glorifies the hard work done by the karateka, collecting 60 consecutive medals and being on the podium for seven years straight.
Sandra Sanchez celebrates Olympic gold in karate at Tokyo 2020
More than 30 years of practicing karate
Sandra started her journey at the age of four, begging her parents to unenroll her from dance classes to be with her brother. This was how she discovered a way to control her temperament and channel her energy on the tatami. Karate meant much more than a simple martial art to her at a very young age.
She faced various obstacles along the way, and for years, Spain did not offer her the opportunity to develop her professional career. Therefore, she had to make the decision to first emigrate to Australia and then to Dubai. It was at the latter place where a club finally granted her the opportunity that had previously been denied. At the age of 32, she won her first title at the Spanish Championship, marking the beginning of her sports career.
Sandra Sanchez celebrates Olympic gold in karate at Tokyo 2020
“Sandra is nothing without karate, and karate is nothing without Sandra”
With emotion, Sandra bid farewell to competitions at the World Games in 2022. At the age of 40, she achieved her goal, but her commitment to karate goes beyond competitions – “Sandra is nothing without karate, and karateis nothing without Sandra.” In 2023, she started her new project, Club Chikara, with the collaboration of Jesús del Moral, her coach, and husband, with the purpose of sharing her karate knowledge worldwide.
Over the years, Daedo has witnessed many of her achievements and merits. For this reason, Chuen Wook Park and Sam Park, representatives of Daedo, will attend the MARCA event to celebrate and support this karate legend, embodying the spirit of overcoming challenges in her golden age.
Sandra Sánchez and Jesús del Moral sharing the progress of the Chikara club on Instagram.
“Don’t tire of trying, and you will turn the impossible into a reality” – Sandra Sánchez’s motto reflecting her spirit of overcoming challenges.