 While in the Tokai University, she was first introduced to the Karate-Do Zendokai association and began studying karate at 18 years old.She got her black belt in Karate in 2009.Sugiyama participated in the Japan Open 2007 Vale Tudo Real Fighting Karate-do Championship Series, placing second in the general category for women, being defeated by Saori Ishioka.