Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
1 week ago
Japan Emiri Iwamoto has transitioned from a world-ranked karate champion to a respected instructor and entrepreneur, sharing her deep knowledge and passion for martial arts.
Emiri Iwamoto was featured in an interview titled 'Kicking It Up a Notch: Interview with Emiri Iwamoto a Karate Champion and Fitness Instructor' on the Arigato Travel blog, discussing her karate journey and aspirations.
Emiri Iwamoto was part of a 'dream collaboration' featured by budojapan_bab, an Instagram account associated with 'Monthly HIDEN' magazine, focusing on Japanese martial arts.
Emiri Iwamoto was interviewed by The Tokyo Talk in an article titled 'The Spirit of a Champion: Emiri Iwamoto,' discussing her karatie journey, achievements, and future goals, including blending tradition and innovation in her teaching.
Emiri Iwamoto's competitive records, including her appearances and rankings in Karate1 Premier League and Series A events, are documented by the World Karate Federation.
Emiri Iwamoto, originally from Sapporo, Hokkaido, began her karate journey at the age of eight, demonstrating an early dedication to the sport. Her commitment led her to become a member of the All-Japan National team in her third year as a working adult. Over a decade, she represented Japan in numerous domestic and international competitions. Her career culminated in 2017 when she achieved the world’s number one ranking in karate, a testament to her persistent training and strategic approach to performance. Iwamoto officially retired from competitive karate in December 2023, subsequently establishing Tokyo Katete Tours LLC to promote karate culture.
Throughout her competitive career, Emiri Iwamoto balanced intensive training, sometimes up to 10 hours a day, with academic pursuits. She earned a Master’s in Sports Science Research from Waseda University, applying scientific principles to optimize her training methods. This period taught her to prioritize efficiency and effectiveness, reducing training sessions to 3-5 hours while maintaining and even improving performance. Post-retirement, Iwamoto has dedicated herself to teaching, holding classes at NERGY Karate Club in Harajuku and Kids Duo International Shinonome. She also coaches for the Waseda University Karate Club and the International Budo University Karate Club, sharing her expertise with emerging athletes.
Iwamoto’s career is marked by significant achievements, including multiple victories in the Karate1 Premier League in France (2015), Netherlands (2016), and Germany (2017). A particularly memorable milestone was winning the Asian Championships while representing Japan, an experience she describes as both nerve-wracking and thrilling. Beyond her competitive success, Iwamoto aims to promote ‘martial arts tourism’ and establish her own permanent dojo to offer both traditional karate and karate fitness sessions. She envisions blending traditional karate with innovative approaches, striving to make the sport accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience, particularly women, and fostering personal growth through its principles.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
