Nikkei Youth Sports, Arts, & Culture Bursary Recipient Announced at Nikkei Matsuri 2026
The Nikkei Youth Sports, Arts, & Culture Bursary celebrates exceptional Japanese Canadian young leaders making a difference in their communities, providing them with essential assistance to pursue their goals. This year’s 2025-26 recipient was announced at Nikkei Matsuri, giving festival-goers the chance to share in the excitement.
The Bursary committee joined in the celebration and opened by speaking about the history of the bursary. The recipient, Ayaka Gushiken, then gave a speech in both Japanese and English. She highlighted the importance of karate in keeping her rooted and forming a community for her when she had a hard time first adjusting to new life in Canada. She hopes to continue giving back and being a proud member of the Japanese Canadian community as she begins her journey as a student at SFU. Read on to find her full speech below.
Congratulations to Ayaka Gushiken!
Ayaka Gushiken is an athlete and community leader pursuing a Bachelor of Science at Simon Fraser University. She started karate at the age of 5 in Okinawa and has been a member of the Karate BC Team for 5 years and the Karate Canada National Team for 2 years. She is a 2 time Bronze medalist at the Karate Canada National Championships (2023, 2025) and has placed first at multiple international tournaments, including the Steveston International Invitational Karate Tournament (2023, 2026), the West Coast Open International Karate Championships in the USA (2022 champion, 2024 bronze medalist), and the Satocup Karate Tournament (2023).
Outside of competing, Ayaka is actively involved in the karate and Nikkei community and at school. She has volunteered as an assistant instructor at the Steveston Karate Club and as a certified judge at karate tournaments. She received the MLA John Yap Award at the 51st Steveston Invitational Karate Tournament (2024), recognizing sportsmanship and contribution to the event community.
The Vancouver Japanese School (Hoshuko/バンクーバー補習授業校) has been one of the most important communities for Ayaka since moving to Canada in Grade 5, allowing her to continue speaking Japanese and stay connected to her Japanese heritage. She served as the school’s Student Council President (2025–2026), where she organized school-wide events including the annual “Hyakunin Isshu Tournament” (a traditional Japanese poetry card game competition) and sports festivals, encouraging interaction across grades and groups.
Ayaka believes that the Nikkei community is built by people who give their time with the simple wish to help others feel connected. She wanted to become a part of this positive cycle, especially for students who are adjusting to a new environment like she once was. She believes that leadership is about helping others take steps in areas they may not feel confident in and creating environments where people feel included and supported. Her experiences have shaped her interest in pursuing pharmacy, a field where clear communication and understanding patients’ needs are essential.
Nikkei Youth Bursary recipient Ayaka Gushiken with the Bursary committee
Ayaka’s Acceptance Speech
皆さん、こんにちは。
まず、このような素晴らしい機会をくださった日系プレイスファンデーションの皆様に、心から感謝申し上げます。このような名誉ある賞をいただけたことを、本当に嬉しく思います。
私が小学五年生でカナダに移り住んだ時は、英語も話せず、新しい環境の中で自分を見失いそうになっていました。そんな中、私が唯一自分らしさを取り戻せたのは13年間続けてきた空手の稽古でした。思い通りにならない時や諦めそうになった時も、空手を続ける仲間達との出会いや日々の稽古が私の大きな支えになってくれました。日本で練習を重ねていた空手が、遠く離れたカナダでも、日本文化を重んじる人々によって受け継がれている事に感動し、私もこの文化を正しく引き継いで後世に伝えていきたいという気持ちも生まれてきました。
これから私はSFUで新しい生活が始まりますが、これまで支えてくださった方々への感謝を忘れず、日系コミュニティの一員として誇りを持ち、文武両道の精神を忘れずに邁進(まいしん)します。
改めまして、このような名誉ある賞をいただき、本当にありがとうございました。
具志堅 彩華
Good afternoon. My name is Ayaka Gushiken.
I would like to sincerely thank the Nikkei Place Foundation for giving me this award. I am truly honoured and grateful to be here today.
When I moved to Canada eight years ago, I couldn’t speak English and had a difficult time adjusting to my new life. During that time, karate, which I started in Japan as a child, became something that kept me going.
I saw everyone at the dojo practicing the same movements over and over, always trying to improve. Seeing their dedication reminded me that I should keep trying too, even when things were difficult.
Karate also helped me find a community where I felt that I belonged. Now, I want to give back and support others who may be going through similar difficulties.
As I start my new life at SFU, I hope to continue being a proud member of the Japanese Canadian community and share the Japanese culture and martial arts that have meant so much to me.
I will always be grateful to everyone who has supported me.
Thank you again for this great honour.
Ayaka giving her acceptance speech on stage
Each bursary recipient was selected not only for their achievements but also for their commitment to strengthening community connections, reflecting core values of Nikkei Place.
Congratulations once again to Ayaka — her dedication and leadership inspires us all! We look forward to seeing all the amazing contributions she will continue to make in the years ahead.