My name is Ajax Tadehara and currently I'm a self-funded Judo athlete representing the USA on the international competitive platform as I chase my dream of competing in the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Qualifying for the Olympics in Judo requires me to travel and compete in tournaments held worldwide including countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceana, and all across the Pan-American continent.
In 1 year of the qualification period, I have risen from a world ranking of 157, all the way down to number 42 in the world. During this year, I have also lost both of my grandmothers, my great aunt, as well as my fiance's grandmother. I've watched as my mother was diagnosed and curently still battles breast cancer.
I have just received confirmation that during the last week of August, I have been selected to represent the United States in the IJF Judo World Championships held in Astana, Kazahkstan. Once again, self funded. This is my first World Championships, and a huge opportunity to gain points in qualifying for Rio.
As a self-funded athlete it has been the most difficult aspect of my journey to overcome the stress of covering all of the expenses while training full time and keeping my performance as high as possible at every trip across the globe I take.