Hong Kong’s Grace Lau continues to redefine excellence in karate, and her remarkable run of form has now earned her a nomination as the Athlete of the Month for April 2026. The honour comes on the back of an extraordinary streak that has seen her dominate the global kata scene, reinforcing her status as reigning World Champion and current world No. 1.
Lau’s latest triumph came at the Karate One-Premier League event, where she secured her third Premier League title of the year—and her eighth consecutive international victory. In a thrilling final, she defeated Japan’s Maho Ono 7–0, with both athletes performing the technically demanding kata Chatanyara Kushanku. It marked the eighth straight final between the two rivals over the past year, all won by Lau.
Reflecting on the secret behind her consistency, Lau emphasized that her focus goes far beyond simply beating opponents.
“I always prioritize the journey of self-competition above all else. My main goal is to deliver a performance that truly reflects the hard work and dedication I have invested in my training,” she explained. “Ultimately, it’s about harnessing my personal journey and using each experience as a stepping stone toward excellence.”
Her connection to Chatanyara Kushanku—often referred to as the “Kata of Finals”—has become central to her success. Working closely with Olympic champion Sandra Sánchez, who is also IWGA Athletes Committee Chair, and coach Jesús del Moral, Lau has refined the kata to suit her unique strengths.
“Their guidance aims to highlight my speed, stability, and dynamic rhythm, making the journey of mastering this kata incredibly rewarding,” she said.
Despite her dominance, Lau acknowledges that competing as world No. 1 brings new pressures. Rather than resisting them, she has learned to transform expectation into motivation.
“Instead of letting pressure overwhelm me, I should concentrate on delivering my best performance and controlling what I can,” she noted. “When I maintain a positive mindset and truly enjoy the experience, I can channel that energy into my performances.”
That mental resilience has been key, particularly in her repeated showdowns with Ono. Lau credits her consistency not only to physical training but also to psychological preparation.
“I’ve relied heavily on the guidance of my sports psychologist… to enhance my focus and resilience during training and competitions,” she shared. “Once I see the vast potential for growth, it becomes much easier to stay motivated.”
Her journey has also been shaped by inspiration and breakthrough moments. Lau recalled her landmark victory over former Japanese great Kiyou Shimizu in 2017 as a turning point for non-Japanese athletes in kata.
“That victory opened the door… I realised that if I could achieve this, there would be others who could do it too—perhaps even against me someday,” she said. “This awareness drives me to continually push the limits of my performance.”
Now, with momentum firmly on her side, Lau is already looking ahead. Her next major target is the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where she aims to continue her golden run.
“I remain focused on preparing for my next major target… I understand the intensity of the competition, so I am committed to putting in the necessary work and dedication to earn that victory,” she said.