With a gold medal win at the Karate Olympic Qualifiers, Ariel Torres secures his ticket to compete and represent the United States at the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer.

A flawless kata performance of Ohan Dai, Anan Dai, and Anan in the round-robin finals confirmed his status as the favorite of the division.

“This is a dream some true. I am extremely proud to be part of USA Karate’s Olympic Team. Going to the Olympics has been my dream since the day it was announced that karate would be added as an Olympic sport.”

Torres, 23, began practicing karate at the age of 6 is now the No. 10 athlete in the world in kata, one of two Olympic disciplines of karate along with kumite. In kata, athletes are judged on their ability to perform offensive and defensive movements.

Working and training hard, he credits his family, his sensei, coaches, training partners, and team mates for his athletic success and is ready for the Olympic stage.

“Now I get to keep doing what I love most – training hard – to earn the Olympic gold medal.”

Karate competition will take place at the Nippon Budokan, the iconic Japanese martial arts venue, on August 5-7, 2021. Torres is set to compete on the second day of competition.

Ariel Torres Qualifies for the Tokyo Olympic Games

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