Wayzata Sophomore Prepares to Represent Team USA at World Karate Championships

High school students face no shortage of challenges, from maintaining top grades to balancing extracurricular activities. But for Wayzata High School sophomore Aakya Manamperi, her pursuits extend far beyond the classroom. In fact, they stretch all the way across the globe.

Manamperi, 15, is a second-degree black belt and one of the nation’s top-ranked karate competitors in her age group.

Later this fall, she will travel to Spain to compete on the global stage at the World Karate Commission (WKC) World Championships.

Inside Dojo Karate in Medina, Manamperi serves as a patient instructor, guiding young students through fundamental martial arts skills. But don’t let her calm demeanor fool you. When she steps onto the tournament floor, she’s a force to be reckoned with.  

“It’s kind of a really male-dominated sport,” Manamperi said. “So, being a female, and a female of color, it’s really important for me to go out there and represent.”

Aakya Manamperi teaches karate to a group of kids at Dojo Karate in Medina.

Dedication to the Craft

Manamperi began practicing karate at age 6. Achieving elite national status has required years of rigorous discipline and daily training.

“I’ve been training two hours every single day,” Manamperi said. “The first hour is mostly cardio, training drills, working on technique. And the second hour is just focusing on my kata that I’m going to be competing.”

Kata, her primary discipline, consists of detailed, high-intensity sequences of movements. Judges evaluate performance based on technique, power, rhythm, balance and presentation—an evaluation process that has earned Manamperi an impressive collection of trophies and medals over the years.

Her dedication has drawn praise from local mentors, including Dojo Karate Medina owner Javier Franco, who noted the positive influence she has on younger students.

“Of course, this is a big impact on the students,” Franco said. “They always see their instructors as their heroes.”

A collection of some of the awards Aakya Manamperi has received for her karate expertise.

Empowering Others Beyond the Dojo

Manamperi’s drive to make an impact extends beyond martial arts competition. Outside the dojo, she founded The Girl Shield Project, a student-led organization dedicated to empowering young women through self-defense training, leadership development and health education.

“We do online events, we do in-person events, and so far we’ve reached around 200 different girls in around 20 different countries, and hopefully growing to some more,” Manamperi said.

In addition to her athletic and community achievements, Manamperi maintains a 3.99 GPA at Wayzata High School, where she participates in Science Olympiad and Student Council.

As she prepares to represent the United States in Spain, the weight of her accomplishments is not lost on her.

“Honestly, I appreciate it so much,” Manamperi said. “It’s amazing for me to be able to share things that I like to do and my passions with the world and kind of compete in it. It’s something that I still pinch myself to this day about.”

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