King of Kata
As the Club hosts the 2nd National Karate Tournament this month, Japan’s most dominant karateka talks about his journey to gold.
As Ryo Kiyuna looked up at the Olympic rings on the Nippon Budokan, he knew this time was different.
The famous venue is sacred ground in the world of martial arts, but never had it hosted karate as an Olympic sport. Tokyo 2020 would mark karate’s debut, and Kiyuna had a chance to make history. Two days later, he did just that. Standing on the podium, holding a framed portrait of his late mother, he became the first Okinawan to win an Olympic gold medal.
On February 24, the kata master who won 19 straight gold medals in international competition will share his experiences and demonstrate techniques with the Club’s Junior Karate students.
How did you get started in karate?
When I was 5, I had a kindergarten friend who was doing karate. And growing up in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate, I often saw it on TV. I became interested and told my parents that I wanted to do it.
What role did your mother play in your success?
From when I was little, she was always there to cheer me on. She let me do everything I wanted and followed me wherever I went to compete. It’s thanks to her that I’ve been able to achieve the things I have.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in karate?
The first time I competed at the World Championships as a member of the Japanese national team, I finished third. There was a champion from Venezuela named Antonio Díaz. I competed against him for two or three years, but I couldn’t beat him. I worked hard to improve, and eventually I became a champion.
What was it like to compete in the first Olympic karate competition?
I had competed at the Budokan before, but this time the atmosphere was totally different. There was just one competition mat. Usually there are a few. I felt that this was a special moment. Everyone knows the Olympics, and I could sense from the foreign karateka a strong desire to win, more so than usual.
What is your greatest memory from a competition other than the Tokyo Olympics?
I had a goal to finish first in both individual and team kata at the World Championships. I was first able to achieve this in 2016, at the competition in Linz, Austria.
What are your plans now that you’ve retired?
I want to help my students become champions. I’ve learned a lot in my life through karate. I want to share what I’ve learned with kids and help them understand that it is important to continue working towards your dreams.
What advice do you have for a young karateka?
The most important thing is to continue. It’s not easy, but you must keep going day after day to achieve your goals.
Ryo Kiyuna’s Karate Workshop
February 24 | 1–3pm
Words: C Bryan Jones
Image of Ryo Kiyuna: JKFan Karatedo Magazine
