Karate at the 2020 Summer Olympics
The karate competitions at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo will feature eight events. It will be the debut appearance of karate in the Olympics. Karate is part of the 2020 programme as one of five sports added specifically for 2020 rather than as a permanent sport. Two disciplines karate will be featured. Kumite ("grappling hands") is the sparring discipline and will have three weight classes each for men and women. Kata (martial arts) is the form discipline and will have one event each for men and women. Every event will consist of 10 competitors.
Thomas Carroll (martial artist)
Carrol was a former jiujitsu practitioner before learning Karate under George Cofield. Carroll was a member of the USA Karate Hall of Fame, chairman of USA Karate New York as Treasurer, and holding positions as head coach. He was key in getting karate recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Considered by some to be an American martial arts pioneer he defeated many famous martial artists including Bill "Superfoot" Wallace in tournaments. He also trained actors Gregory Hines and Ralph Macchio of Karate Kid. He is considered to be a contemporary of the Chuck Norris and Joe Lewis An 8th degree blackbelt he was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1969. Thomas was also featured in various magazines including Black Belt Magazine and Official Karate Magazine.