No one had ever known such an ovation in Karate. In Paris, in 2012, Rika Usami lived this extraordinary moment. 15,000 people giving an ovation to the new Kata World champion, although she defeated a Frenchwoman in the final. 15,000 spectators overwhelmed by his grace and mastery. She was back in Paris as ambassador for the 2020 Olympics. We met her.

By Ludovic Mauchien