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Karate at the Summer Olympics facts for kids

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Karate at the Summer Olympics
Karate pictogram.svg
Events 8 (men: 4; women: 4)
Games
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  • Medalists

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).

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

Karate Kumite pictogram
Kumite

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

Karate 75 kg awarding ceremony at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Karate 75 kg awarding ceremony

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
details
Ryo Kiyuna
 Japan
Damián Quintero
 Spain
Ariel Torres
 United States
Ali Sofuoğlu
 Turkey
67 kg
details
Steven Da Costa
 France
Eray Şamdan
 Turkey
Darkhan Assadilov
 Kazakhstan
Abdelrahman Al-Masatfa
 Jordan
75 kg
details
Luigi Busà
 Italy
Rafael Aghayev
 Azerbaijan
Gábor Hárspataki
 Hungary
Stanislav Horuna
 Ukraine
+75 kg
details
Sajjad Ganjzadeh
 Iran
Tareg Hamedi
 Saudi Arabia
Ryutaro Araga
 Japan
Uğur Aktaş
 Turkey

Women's Medal Winners

Event Gold Silver Bronze
Kata
details
Sandra Sánchez
 Spain
Kiyou Shimizu
 Japan
Grace Lau
 Hong Kong
Viviana Bottaro
 Italy
55 kg
details
Ivet Goranova
 Bulgaria
Anzhelika Terliuga
 Ukraine
Bettina Plank
 Austria
Wen Tzu-yun
 Chinese Taipei
61 kg
details
Jovana Preković
 Serbia
Yin Xiaoyan
 China
Giana Farouk
 Egypt
Merve Çoban
 Turkey
+61 kg
details
Feryal Abdelaziz
 Egypt
Irina Zaretska
 Azerbaijan
Gong Li
 China
Sofya Berultseva
 Kazakhstan

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Karate en los Juegos Olímpicos para niños

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Karate at the Summer Olympics Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.