YouTube Star Rika Usami Appointed to Boost Japan's Tokyo 2020 Karate Medal Chances

~~ ~ The Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF)’s player strengthening committee has appointed former world champion and YouTube star Rika Usami (5th Dan) (35) as its chairperson in the buildup to the Tokyo Olympics. Usami was crowned world karate champion in the women’s kata discipline in 2012. On top of that, a YouTube video of Usami’s winning performance has stacked up a staggering 17 million views. The former world champion has been appointed with the goal of helping Japan win medals in all eight karate kata and kumite events at an Olympics that will feature karate for the first time. Her appointment comes in the wake of her predecessor’s sacking over physical abuse involving a bamboo sword. Usami’s kata has been described as the “most beautiful in the world.” “As the country that invented karate, Japan is not in a position to lose. I will use all my experience (as world champion),” says Usami. Support from her Husband “Although I feel nervous, I want to create a good environment for the athletes. I will try my best to fulfill my role,” Usami said to Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai – her most senior boss – when she reported that she was leaving…
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