Atsuko Wakai

is a Japanese practitioner of karate who has won many international and Japanese national competitions in kata (patterns), including unprecedented numbers of consecutive titles in World Karate Federation (WKF) and All Japan Karatedo championships. She holds the rank of 6th dan black belt from the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF),

Early life Wakai was born on September 12, 1971, in Gifu, Japan. When she was 4 years old, she was involved in an automobile accident; the severe head injuries forced her to recover in hospital for four months. and also Yoshimi Inoue at one point.

Wakai's first international victory was at the 2nd Ladies' International Karate Cup in 1997, held in Tokyo. She won three consecutive World Games championships in women's kata in 1997, 2001, and 2005. Wakai also won titles at the Asian Games in 1998 and 2002. In 2000, she was listed at in height and in weight.

Post-competition career Following her victory in kata at the World Games in 2005, Wakai retired from karate competition. She taught in Hawaii in December 2008 and in Florida in June 2009.