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 her dedication to staying connected with her Japanese culture and language, including through the Hoshuko Vancouver Japanese School, and in continuing her pursuit of karate.
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 served 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 Language School 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
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.