More than 450 guests were invited to Tokyo by the Japan Karate Federation (JKF), including many of those who have supported the sport’s Olympic campaign and officials from domestic organisations.

World Karate Federation (WKF) President Antonio Espinos was present, along with his Asian Karate Federation counterpart Kuang-Huei Chang and WKF general secretary Toshihisa Nagura.

Following a karate demonstration by Japan’s national team, JKF President Takashi Sasagawa and Espinos both delivered speeches.

The celebration is said to have provided an opportunity to state karate’s passion for the Olympic Games, not only for the 2020 edition but also for the 2024 Games and beyond.

Karate has never been contested at the Olympics, leaving the sport in the shadow of its fellow home-grown martial art, judo.

Judo was first included on the Olympic programme in 1964, when Tokyo last hosted the Games, and despite missing out on the 1968 edition in Mexico City, it has been ever-present from Munich 1972 onwards.

Baseball and softball, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing were the four other sports recommended for Olympic inclusion in September as bowling, squash and wushu missed out.

A final decision is due to be made at next summer's International Olympic Committee Session in Rio de Janeiro.


Related stories
September 2015: Five sports recommended for inclusion at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
September 2015: Sports federations poised for decision on potential Tokyo 2020 inclusion
September 2015: Date set for decision on additional sports for Tokyo 2020
June 2015: Shortlisted sports hail "first base" on road to Tokyo 2020 inclusion
June 2015: Baseball and softball lead eight sports shortlisted for Tokyo 2020 inclusion