Karate Day in Okinawa: A Celebration of Tradition and Peace
This weekend, the island of Okinawa, Japan, once again became the heart of karate, celebrating the annual Karate Day on October 25, 2024. This event, a staple in Okinawa’s cultural calendar, brings together karate practitioners and enthusiasts from around the world to honor the island’s martial arts heritage. Hosted at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan Special […]
Sandra Sánchez: From Olympic Podium to cinema
As the world eagerly anticipates the release of “Karateka”, a biopic centered on the remarkable life of Olympic gold medalist Sandra Sánchez, details about the film’s production have begun to surface. Directed by Aritz Moreno, known for his work on “Advantages of Traveling by Train”, “Karateka” promises to bring to life the struggles, perseverance, and […]
SEA Games 2025: The Puzzling Omission of Karate, Jiujitsu, and Wushu
As the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games prepare for their 2025 edition in Thailand, a surprising development has left athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts across the region scratching their heads. The host nation recently released a proposed list of 40 sports to be included in the games, and to the dismay of many, karate, jiujitsu, wushu, […]
Alizée Agier: An Inspiring Icon at the Olympic Flame Relay
Yesterday, the town of Semur-en-Auxois had the honor of hosting a leg of the Olympic flame relay for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Among the participants was Alizée Agier, an exceptional athlete whose journey is a true source of inspiration. A Steadfast Will in the Face of Adversity Diagnosed at the age of 18 with […]
Tribute to Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi
Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi passed away on July 3, 2024. Kancho Kenneth Yoshinobu Funakoshi, born on September 4, 1938, in Honolulu, Hawaii, was a prominent karate master and the founder of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association (FSKA). A fourth cousin of Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern Shotokan, Kenneth Funakoshi dedicated his life to teaching […]
Dakar 2026: The Dawn of the African Olympic Dream
As the world looks forward to Paris 2024, it’s important to remember that the Olympic spirit will continue its journey to Dakar 2026, where Senegal will have the honor of becoming the first African country to host the Olympic Games. The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) promise to be a landmark event, showcasing the […]
Embracing the Future: Karate’s Inclusion in the 2027 European Games
The 53rd General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), held in Bucharest, Romania, marked a pivotal moment for European sports. This assembly brought together key officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs), setting the stage for significant discussions about the future of various sports within Europe. A Crucial Meeting […]
Junna Tsukii: From Karate Champion to MMA Contender
World Games karate champion Junna Tsukii is set to make a sensational debut in mixed martial arts (MMA) at the 2024 Deep Jewels Summer Festival in Odaiba, Japan, on August 31. Tsukii, who has recently retired from karate, will face fellow debutant Ruka Sakamoto in the women’s -54kg category. The event, featuring both local and […]
Announcement of Kiyou Shimizu’s Retirement
In a heartfelt and emotional announcement, Kiyou Shimizu, one of the most esteemed and accomplished karatekas of our time, has declared her retirement from competitive karate. This announcement follows closely on the heels of Sandra Sanchez of Spain, who won gold in Tokyo 2020 and also recently retired, marking the end of an era for […]
Tribute to Sensei Antonio Oliva Seba: A Life Dedicated to Karate
Today, the martial arts world mourns the loss of a giant. Sensei Antonio Oliva Seba, recently honored with the 10th dan in karate by the Spanish federation last March, has passed away. His death marks the end of an era, but his legacy will endure through the generations of karatekas he trained and inspired. A […]