Karate at the Summer Olympics facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Karate at the Summer Olympics |
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Karate made its exciting debut at the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, during the 2020 Games. It was a special moment for the sport. Even though it won't be in the 2024 Games, there was hope for 2028, but it wasn't chosen in the end.
Olympic karate had two main types of events: Kumite and Kata. Kumite is the fighting part, and Kata is about showing perfect forms. Sixty athletes competed in Kumite, and twenty in Kata. Both events had an equal number of male and female competitors. The sport is managed by the World Karate Federation (WKF).
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Karate's Olympic Journey
People started working to get karate into the Olympics way back in the 1970s. It took a long time! In 2009, karate didn't get enough votes to become an Olympic sport. Later, in 2013, it was again not chosen for the 2020 Olympics.
The Big Bid for Inclusion
In September 2015, karate was one of several sports considered for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Other sports included baseball, softball, skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing.
Finally, in August 2016, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved karate and the other sports for the 2020 Games. This was a huge win for karate fans! However, karate will not be part of the 2024 Olympic Games or the 2028 Games.
How Olympic Karate Works
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, karate offered eight gold medals. Six of these were for Kumite (fighting), split into three weight groups for men and three for women. The other two gold medals were for Kata (forms), one for men and one for women.
Here are the main rules for how Kumite and Kata competitions work:
Kumite: The Fighting Event
In the Olympics, Kumite fights were divided into specific weight classes. This makes sure athletes compete against others of similar size.
- Men's Weight Classes:
* Under 67 kilograms (about 148 pounds) * Under 75 kilograms (about 165 pounds) * Over 75 kilograms (over 165 pounds)
- Women's Weight Classes:
* Under 55 kilograms (about 121 pounds) * Under 61 kilograms (about 134 pounds) * Over 61 kilograms (over 134 pounds)
Kumite Rules: Scoring and Warnings
Kumite fights are "semi-contact." This means athletes hit each other, but they must control their strength. Hitting too hard can lead to a warning or even disqualification. Each fight lasts up to three minutes.
A winner is declared if one athlete scores eight more points than their opponent. If not, the person with more points at the end wins. If the score is tied, the first person to score an unopposed point (senshu) wins.
How Points Are Scored
- Ippon (3 points): Given for a kick to the head or neck, or for a technique used on an opponent who has fallen.
- Waza-ari (2 points): Given for a kick to the body (belly, side, back, or torso).
- Yuko (1 point): Given for a punch or strike to the head, neck, or body.
Strikes below the belt are not allowed. Athletes must always control their power. If an athlete causes a serious injury, they can lose points or even be disqualified.
Understanding Warnings
Referees give warnings for rule breaks. These warnings can add up:
- Chukoku: A first warning for a small mistake.
- Keikoku: A second warning for the same small mistake, or a first warning for a medium mistake.
- Hansoku-chui: A third warning for the same small mistake, a second for a medium mistake, or a first for a major mistake. This often happens with too much contact or hitting below the belt.
- Hansoku: The final warning. This means the athlete is disqualified, and their opponent wins.
Warnings are given for things like hitting too hard or for technical fouls. Technical fouls include leaving the fighting area (koto) or pretending to be injured.
Kata: The Forms Event
In Kata, athletes perform a series of moves against an imaginary opponent. They are judged on how powerful and correct their techniques are.
Traditionally, judges use a flag system. Five judges each hold a blue flag and a red flag. They raise the flag of the competitor they think performed better. The athlete with more flags wins. Only Katas from a list approved by the WKF are allowed in the Olympics.
Olympic Karate Medalists
Medal Table
* Host nation (Japan)
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Japan (JPN)* |
1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 |  Spain (ESP) |
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 |  Egypt (EGY) |
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
 Italy (ITA) |
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| 5 |  Bulgaria (BUL) |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
 France (FRA) |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
 Iran (IRI) |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
 Serbia (SRB) |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 9 |  Azerbaijan (AZE) |
0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 |  Turkey (TUR) |
0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 11 |  China (CHN) |
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
 Ukraine (UKR) |
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 13 |  Saudi Arabia (KSA) |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 14 |  Kazakhstan (KAZ) |
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 15 |  Austria (AUT) |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
 Chinese Taipei (TPE) |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Hong Kong (HKG) |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Hungary (HUN) |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Jordan (JOR) |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 United States (USA) |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Totals (20 entries) | 8 | 8 | 16 | 32 | |
Men's Medal Winners
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kata |
Ryo Kiyuna Japan |
Damián Quintero Spain |
Ariel Torres United States |
Ali Sofuoğlu Turkey |
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| 67 kg |
Steven Da Costa France |
Eray Şamdan Turkey |
Darkhan Assadilov Kazakhstan |
Abdelrahman Al-Masatfa Jordan |
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| 75 kg |
Luigi Busà Italy |
Rafael Aghayev Azerbaijan |
Gábor Hárspataki Hungary |
Stanislav Horuna Ukraine |
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| +75 kg |
Sajjad Ganjzadeh Iran |
Tareg Hamedi Saudi Arabia |
Ryutaro Araga Japan |
| Uğur Aktaş Turkey |
Women's Medal Winners
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kata |
Sandra Sánchez Spain |
Kiyou Shimizu Japan |
Grace Lau Hong Kong |
| Viviana Bottaro Italy |
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| 55 kg |
Ivet Goranova Bulgaria |
Anzhelika Terliuga Ukraine |
Bettina Plank Austria |
Wen Tzu-yun Chinese Taipei |
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| 61 kg |
Jovana Preković Serbia |
Yin Xiaoyan China |
Giana Farouk Egypt |
| Merve Çoban Turkey |
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| +61 kg |
Feryal Abdelaziz Egypt |
Irina Zaretska Azerbaijan |
Gong Li China |
| Sofya Berultseva Kazakhstan |
See also
In Spanish: Karate en los Juegos Olímpicos para niños
