The Days of Japanese Culture are taking place in Odessa, marking the 60th anniversary of the city's friendship with Yokohama.

On this occasion, a thematic meeting for school-age children was held at the I. Ya. Franko Central Library, featuring a karate demonstration supported by the Odessa Regional Karate Federation.

With the assistance of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Odessa City Council, athletes showcased kata (a systematic sequence of techniques in Japanese martial arts) and kumite (a sparring match between two athletes according to competition rules).

The young aspiring athletes were so inspired by the master class that at its conclusion, they asked the athletes to sign their origami creations, which were given to all participants.

Karate is an art of self-defense through strikes and blocks. Currently, about 100 million people across five continents and in 192 countries practice various styles of karate, making it a truly global sport. The Ukrainian Karate Federation was established in 2009, and in 2011 it held its first national championship. Notably, in 2014, members of the Ukrainian national team ranked among the TOP-5 strongest athletes in Europe.
In August 2016, the 129th session of the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board in Rio de Janeiro made a historic decision to include karate in the program of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where Ukrainians won two medals: silver for Anzhelika Terliuga and bronze for Stanislav Horuna.