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Hopes high for karate inclusion at 2020 Olympics

TOKYO – After 17 years of intensive training, Japanese university karate champion Emiko Kawasaki may be about to realize her lifelong dream and have a chance to compete at the Olympics.

Karate, a martial art consisting of punches, kicks and blocks, is among the sports Japan is considering for inclusion on the Olympic program for the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Although karate has failed to win Olympic inclusion three times before – for the Beijing, London and Rio Games – chances are a lot better this time for the traditional Japanese sport.

Tokyo organizers, who are also considering the inclusion of baseball and softball, squash and surfing, have until Sept. 30 to select one or more events to recommend to the International Olympic Committee. The IOC’s final decision comes in August 2016, when it meets ahead of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

For 22-year-old Kawasaki, having a chance to compete at the Olympics would be the ultimate reward for her daily 5.30 a.m. runs and countless hours of practice and competition.

“I don’t see anything I’ve gone through as sacrifices,” the second-degree black belt said.

“I see myself first and foremost as a karate competitor.”

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