Elisa Au

Elisa Au-Fonseca
Born (1981-05-29) May 29, 1981
Hawaii United States Honolulu, Hawaii
Residence Illinois United States Chicago, Illinois
Nationality United States American
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[1]
Weight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)[1]
Style Shitō-ryū Karate
Teacher(s) Chuzo Kotaka
Rank      3 degree black belt in Shitō-ryū
Website http://www.elisaaufonseca.com/

Elisa Au-Fonseca (born May 29, 1981 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an Asian-American martial arts instructor and karate practitioner.[1]

Biography

Elisa Au was born on May 29, 1981 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Gary and Jane Au. With the encouragement of her parents she began taking karate lessons at 5 years of age under the tutelage of shitō-ryū karate master Chuzo Kotaka. In 1990, Au competed in her first major tournament the AAU/United States National Karate Championships in New Orleans, Louisiana. She won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the event.[2]

In 1991, Au would receive her black belt under Kotaka and his International Karate Federation.[2][3] As a teenager in her native Hawaii, she began teaching after school karate programs. Several of her students went on to become national champions, including one who would win two junior world championships.[4]

By the age of 18, Elisa had won 3 WKO World Championships and 2 WKC World Championships. In addition to her demanding karate schedule, Au also participated in figure skating, gymnastics, canoe paddling, and track and field, while attending Punahou School — an elite college preparatory academy in Hawaii. She also excelled academically and maintained honor roll status throughout high school.[5] In 2003, Au graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in civil engineering.[4]

Au continues to compete and make national and international appearances. In addition to competition, Au also teaches seminars around the world, including Japan, Canada, Australia and the U.S. She also stars a 6 set DVD series, entitled "SECRETS of Championship Karate" that shares her training methods and ideas along with tips on how to succeed in karate competition.[6]

DVD

Championships

Personal

In 2006, Au met fellow karate champion John Fonseca. The couple married in February 2008, and currently run a martial arts school in the Chicago area.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Karate Athlete >> Elisa Au-Fonseca. URL accessed on April 11, 2010.
  2. 1 2 Elisa Au Bio. URL accessed on April 11, 2010.
  3. ↑ International Karate Federation >> ITF Head Instructor Profiles. URL accessed on April 11, 2010.
  4. 1 2 Fonseca Martial Arts. URL accessed on April 11, 2010.
  5. ↑ The Honolulu Advertiser >> Elisa Au: Putting up a fight. URL accessed on April 11, 2010.
  6. ↑ Rising Sun Productions >> DVD >> Karate. URL accessed on April 11, 2010.
  7. ↑ Elisa Au: Secrets of Championship Karate - Kihon (Media notes). N/A. North Hollywood, California: Rising Sun Productions. 2006. RS-0232.
  8. ↑ Elisa Au: Secrets of Championship Karate - Kata for Beginners (Media notes). N/A. North Hollywood, California: Rising Sun Productions. 2006. RS-0233.
  9. ↑ Elisa Au: Secrets of Championship Karate - Kata for Int/Adv (Media notes). N/A. North Hollywood, California: Rising Sun Productions. 2006. RS-0248.
  10. ↑ Elisa Au: Secrets of Championship Karate - Kumite Beginners (Media notes). N/A. North Hollywood, California: Rising Sun Productions. 2006. RS-0249.
  11. ↑ Elisa Au: Secrets of Championship Karate - Kumite Black Belt (Media notes). N/A. North Hollywood, California: Rising Sun Productions. 2006. RS-0250.
  12. ↑ Elisa Au: Secrets of Championship Karate - Conditioning and Speed Drills (Media notes). N/A. North Hollywood, California: Rising Sun Productions. 2006. RS-0258.
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