The International Olympic Committee Executive Board today approved the venue for the Karate event at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The Karate competition at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be held at Nippon Budokan.

Considered the mecca and the heart of Karate and martial arts in Japan, the Nippon Budokan will be the ideal stage for Karate’s debut at the Olympic Games programme in the birth nation of the ancient discipline.

The Nippon Budokan also holds a deep sentimental value for Karate fans worldwide, since the magnificent sports hall was the venue where the first edition of the Karate World Championships was held in 1970. No less than 50 years later, the ancient discipline and the World Karate Federation will come full circle with the celebration of the first Olympic Karate competition at the Nippon Budokan.

Click here to read the full IOC press release.