Grace Lau Mo Sheung wins the first-ever Olympic medal awarded in karate. And with the sport dropped for Paris 2024 likely one of only four ever awarded.
Karate is making its first appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, with men and women competing in kata (forms) and kumite (sparring) events at the Nippon Budokan.
Lau’s bronze medal fight in the Kata against Turkey’s Dilara Bozan was a tight affair, as both faced off against a virtual opponent, finishing 26.94 – 26.52.
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/Grace-Lau-Mo-Sheung-Wins-Bronze-in-Karate/i-FDzXjZg
What is Kata?
Kata are demonstrations of forms consisting of a series of offensive and defensive movements targeting a virtual opponent. Competitors choose the kata they will demonstrate from 102 that are recognised by the World Karate Federation. A point-based system was adopted in January 2019 whereby the scores awarded by three of the seven judges are added then applied to a separate calculation formula to determine the winner.
Key factors include the strength, speed, rhythm, balance and power of strikes and kicks; the solidity, clarity and force of movements; and the proper expression of the meaning of each technique with beautiful, flowing motion.
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/Grace-Lau-Mo-Sheung-Wins-Bronze-in-Karate/i-7jcVzHg
