Karate has been a popular sport worldwide since the 1950s. Fans and athletes have tried to make it an Olympic sport since the 1970s with no luck. But that will change when karate events take place during the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (Note: As Scholastic MATH went to press, the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed to 2021 because of the rapid spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a disease with flu-like symptoms that is caused by a new coronavirus.)
Karate is a martial art that originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom, which today is called Okinawa. Martial arts are traditional systems of combat, used today mainly for self-defense and self-discipline. Some forms are also considered part of various nations’ cultural heritage and are practiced as a way to preserve it. Karate joins five other martial arts events in the Summer Olympics: judo, taekwondo, wrestling, boxing, and fencing.
Karate has been a popular sport worldwide since the 1950s. Since the 1970s, fans and athletes have tried to make it an Olympic sport. For years, they were unsuccessful, but that’s finally changing. Karate events will be part of the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (Note: As Scholastic MATH went to press, the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed because of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a disease with flu-like symptoms. It is caused by the new coronavirus that has spread rapidly.)
Karate is a martial art that originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Today this part of Japan is called Okinawa. Martial arts are traditional ways of fighting. They’re now used mainly for self-defense and self-control. Some martial arts are also considered part of a nation’s cultural heritage. People practice them as a way to preserve these traditions.
Karate joins five other martial arts events in the Summer Olympics. Athletes will also compete in judo, taekwondo, wrestling, boxing, and fencing.