Tokyo-born Rika Usami began her karate career at just 10 years old when she joined a local dojo. Progressing through a number of minor competitions during her teenage years, she soon began winning medals in tournaments in multiple countries, ultimately becoming one of the most well-known female karateka in the world and officially recognised as female kata world champion.
When it comes to kata – the performance of choreographed routines intended to demonstrate proficiency in the execution of learned movements – Rika is simply unmatched, and is admired the world over for her dazzling skills. As you can see in the following video taken during her performance at the 21st WKF World Karate Championships in France last year, her movements are fast, powerful and starlingly accurate.
Prepare to be blown away as Rika performs kata “Chatanyara Kusanku”.
Okay, our minds are officially blown.
▼ That, ladies and gentlemen, is true focus
▼ And here’s Rika performing the kata at a local dojo overseas
Sources: YouTube WKFKarateWorldChamps via Kotaku US, Karate by Jesse
Additional video via YouTube Jesse EnKamp
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