Kouichi Fukazawa

You can take the kid out of sports, but you can never take the sports out of the kid. For Kouichi Fukada, football wasn’t just a game—it became the foundation of his journey from a student-athlete in Cagayan de Oro to a practicing doctor. The discipline, teamwork, and perseverance he developed on the field shaped his mindset, helping him chase his dream beyond the pitch.

Football isn’t the easiest sport to access in the Philippines, but Kouichi’s small school had a football field—and that made all the difference. What began as a fun and friendly match with friends turned into serious competition, participating in the national inter-school competition of MILO, the MILO Little Olympics. Though their school was small and unassuming, Kouichi and his teammates refused to let size or circumstance define them. With grit as their game plan and a support system of passionate coaches and teachers cheering them on, they battled their way through the tournament, proving that heart can outplay resources any day. Kouichi and his team defied expectations, securing second place in a national tournament against larger, highly resourced schools from metro areas.

Football didn’t just teach Kouichi how to win; it also gave him the resilience to serve where he was needed most—healthcare. Seeing loved ones struggle with medical issues ignited his passion to become a doctor. With the same determination he once applied on the field, Kouichi pursued medicine at Xavier University - Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine, focused on giving back to his community.

Now a resident at Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Kouichi is on track to becoming an anesthesiologist. He supports his community by working in local hospitals and offering consultations to friends and family. With plans to join government healthcare programs in the future, Kouichi remains committed to giving back. Drawing from his sports journey, he encourages the youth to embrace challenges and see mistakes as opportunities for growth.