Odesa is currently hosting festive events dedicated to Japanese culture, marking the 60th anniversary of its partnership with Yokohama.

In this regard, a themed meeting for school-aged children was held at the I. Ya. Franko Central Library, featuring a demonstration performance supported by the Odesa Regional Karate Federation.

With the support of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Odesa City Council, athletes from the Odesa Karate Federation showcased kata (a sequence of techniques in Japanese martial arts) and kumite (direct combat between two athletes).

The young aspiring athletes were so inspired by the master class that they asked the athletes to sign their origami creations after it concluded, which were given to all participants of the event.

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