The “2014 34th National Invitational High School Karate-Do Tournament” was held from March 25 to 27.
On the opening day, the 25th, Ambassador Rika Usami called for signatures in support of karate-do to be an official Olympic sport, and received cooperation from many people at the arena.
President Antonio Espinós of the WORLD KARATE FEDERATION attended the opening ceremony, and we received the following congratulatory speech:
“I believe that at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 5 years from now, Olympians will arise from the athletes gathered here. I pray for the success of the Olympics, and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2020.”
Also, over 700,000 signatures in support of “karate-do as an official Olympic sport” were gathered, and was handed by Nami Suzuki (Teikyo High School, Winner of 2014 Asian Championships Junior Kumite Female -53 kg) representing the athletes, to Takashima Naoki, president of Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.
Upon receiving the signatures, Mr. Takashima gave us a strong speech: “I will responsibly deliver your heartfelt signatures to Governor Masuzoe Youichi of Tokyo, and Mori Yoshiro, chairman of the organizing committee.”
