Mid-October, the Nippon Budokan, which will host Karate and Judo during the 2021 Olympics, hosted its first major event since the Covid outbreak in March. It was a Karate competition that occurred with special shields (Menho). Is it the solution for the coming years ?

By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo : WKF

500 athletes from 60 teams celebrated the opening of the new Nippon Budokan hall last week-end, after its renovation started one year ago. The Kanto Region Karate Tournament was also the first Karate major competition since last spring.

All the competitors were required to wear a special mouth shield and face guard (Menho) during their fights to limit the transmission of particles through the air. According to our colleagues from Inside the Games, this shield prevents 98% of the contaminants in the air. The tournament was held behind closed doors.