Olympic Medalist Kiyou Shimizu

Co-Presented with the Japanese American Budokan.

Olympic Silver medalist and world champion Kiyou Shimizu comes to Japan Society! Meet Shimizu during a special talk and karate demonstration followed by a photo op. Hear about her history with the martial art, what it took to be a champion and her advice for those learning karate in NYC.

Influenced by her older brother, Shimizu started karate when she was in only third grade. In her junior year of high school, she won first place at the National High School Athletic Meet. She then became the youngest person in history to win the All Japan Championships at the age of 20, and went on to win seven consecutive championships. On the world stage, she’s won three consecutive Asian Games titles, two consecutive World Championship titles, and a silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She retired from competition in May 2024 and is now actively involved in promoting karate around the world.

Follow her at instagram.com/kiyou_1.

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Support for cultural programs is provided by Anime NYC; the Sandy Heck Lecture Fund; Faith L. Taylor; and Jean Fan Colson and Daniel Colson.

Japan Society arts and culture programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).