PORTRAITS OF

the winners. The waves are forever Okinawa Islands until the end of competitive discipline within changing with the wind and tides, the 19th century. Today, karate is that of kumite. While so no surfer ever rides the same is practiced in more than 190 in kata, the two competitors kind twice. In addition to showing countries. A key element of karate score points for the quality of off their skillful maneuvers atop in Japan, reflecting its origin as a their movement, in kumite, the board, surfers also have to pick form of self-defense, is its focus on they gain points when landing the right wave to seize, a talent training the mind. For this reason, punches, kicks, or strikes on their that requires a winner’s instincts. taking karate lessons is popular as opponent, and win by amassing The event at the 2020 an extra-curricular activity. more points than their adversary. Games will have a four-person heat Remarkable for its mental Karate at the Tokyo 2020 Games structure, where four surfers ride toughness is the discipline of kata, is based on a traditional style that it out in the water at a time and a set of offensive and defensive observes sundome (non-contact) the best two of each heat advance movements. Competitors, or rules, which impose penalties to the next round. As only one karateka, choose the kata they if a karateka should make full IGARASHI Kanoa, who represents Japan at the Tokyo 2020 rider can ride a surge at any given wish to demonstrate from among contact with his or her opponent. Games. Surfing is a unique sport in which athletes ride the waves in an ever-shifting natural environment. Watch how the surfers display time—a common rule among the 102 that are recognized by The speedy exchanges of blows their skills so effortlessly that they seem to be one with the wave. surfers—a big highlight of the the World Karate Federation. attempting to catch one another event is watching the surfers jostle The karateka then demonstrate off guard, as well as the stunning for position to catch the best wave. these kata as if they are fighting agility of their high kicks and While surfing is all about an adversary. Their punches and other bold moves, are a sight not maneuvering a surfboard on a kicks are judged on a range of to be missed. wave, karate fascinates audiences criteria, from conformance and New events brimming with EXCITING with its impressive control of the timing to strength and speed. The youthful energy and traditional body. This Japanese martial art is fluid motions of the karateka are a skills should bring a fresh breath thought to have originated from the thrill to see. of air to the Olympic spectacle NEW SPORTS self-defense techniques developed For those who want to see and take it to a new stage. All TO DEBUT AT TOKYO 2020 by the warrior class of the Ryukyu karateka actually fighting it eyes will be on these exciting Kingdom, which ruled over the out with each other, the more competitions.

Four new events have been added to the Tokyo 2020 Games, all of them showcasing the power and grace of movement. The Japanese martial art of karate and the aquatic sport of surfing are two of Karate Skate- Sport Surfing boarding the additions bringing a fresh sparkle to the Summer Games.

Starting with the Tokyo 2020 Spectators will be dazzled by the is not only a sport, but an entire Games, a new policy has been skateboarders’ spectacular aerial culture of beach music, art, and inaugurated that allows host moves and the physical prowess of fashion, and is especially popular cities to propose additional the climbers. with the younger generation. sports for the Olympic programs. With the splash of rolling waves The surfing event at the Tokyo At this year’s Games, karate, comes the feel of summer. The 2020 Games has athletes in the sport climbing, surfing, and sport of surfing involves athletes water for 20 to 30 minutes, during will make their riding waves on shortboards 170 to which they catch as many as 10 Olympic debuts. All four of these 190 cm in length, competing with waves or more. Points are scored sports feature graceful agility one another on such criteria as for each wave caught, with the best SHIMIZU Kiyou (left), representing Japan inkata , KARATE and SAGO Naoto (top, on the right), representing and dynamic maneuverability. technique and originality. Surfing two performances determining Japan in kumite. Karate features two disciplines; kata is a choreographed pattern of moves against an invisible adversary, while kumite involves two fighters sparring with one another to decide the winner.