clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Karate Is Now an Olympic Sport. It’s Not What You Think.

It’s time to familiarize yourself with kata—and with a group of Olympians who put the art into martial arts

By Rodger Sherman
Lima 2019 Pan Am Games - Day 14 Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images


There will be 60 gold medals awarded in fighting events in Tokyo. But only one of these events features competitors who fight against nobody. It’s time to familiarize yourself with kata—and with a group of Olympians who put the art into martial arts.

Host: Rodger Sherman
Guest: Ariel Torres
Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo
Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal, Megan Schuster
Fact Checker: Mike Itchue
Talent Booker: Allyson Turner

Subscribe: Spotify

Next Up In The Ringer Guide to the Summer Games

The Latest

Dan Hurley’s New Beef, Cooper Flagg’s Options, and a Battle of the Brands

Tate Frazier and J. Kyle Mann discuss Coach Prime’s haters, the 2024 recruiting class, Adidas’s latest move in the battle of the brands, and more

By Tate Frazier and J. Kyle Mann
New England Patriots v New York Jets
Play

Patriots Beat the Jets, Bears Drama, and Previewing the Undefeated Eagles on ‘MNF’ 

Brian Barrett and James White break down the New England Patriots win, the New York Jets’ commitment Zach Wilson, and all the drama in Chicago

By Brian Barrett, John Jastremski, and 3 more

Week 3 Blowout Reactions. Plus, ‘Monday Night Football’ Doubleheader Preview.

JJ, Raheem, and House cover the Miami Dolphins’ thumping of the Denver Broncos, Jordan Love and the Packers’ fourth-quarter comeback against the Saints, Eagles vs. Buccaneers, and Bengals vs. Rams

By John Jastremski, Raheem Palmer, and 1 more

The Writers Strike Is Over. Can We All Be Friends Again?

What needs to happen for the new WGA deal to be finalized? Where did the WGA and AMPTP land on key issues? And what does this mean for the SAG-AFTRA strike?

By Matthew Belloni
Arsenal FC v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Play

Spurs and Maddison Are the Real Deal! Newcastle Score Eight Goals!

The lads are back to delve into the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur continue their dominance, Liverpool are looking more and more like title contenders again and Brighton just keep impressing.

By Ben Foster

The Return of the WSL and an International Window No One Was Ready For

Flo Lloyd-Hughes, Gilly Flaherty and Jessy Parker Humphreys discuss England’s Nations League clash with Scotland, a traumatic international break for Spain and the end of an era for a U.S. great

By Flo Lloyd-Hughes