Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Emiri Iwamoto, a Japanese karate champion and sports and fitness instructor. Emiri’s journey in karate began at a young age, and her dedication to the sport has led her to achieve remarkable success on both national and international stages. When she’s not competing, Emiri is studying sports science sociology and strives to teach others about karate fitness. Join us as we hear more about her journey on and off the mat!
One of Emiri-san’s Class – Photo Credit: Emiri Iwamoto
Hello! Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Emiri Iwamoto and I am from Sapporo, Hokkaido. I started practicing Karate in elementary school back in the second grade. I was accepted on the All-Japan National team in my third year as a working adult. From there, I represented Japan in both domestic and international competitions for 10 years, becoming the world’s number one ranked Karate-ka in 2017. I retired from competitive karate in December of 2023 and established Tokyo Katete Tours LLC, to dedicate myself to promoting karate.
Currently, I teach karate every Monday and Tuesday at the NERGY Karate Club in Harajuku and hold a karate class every Friday at the bilingual preschool called Kids Duo International Shinonome. I am also a coach for the Waseda University Karate Club and the International Budo University Karate Club.
Karate Group Event – Photo Credit: Emiri Iwamoto
What inspired you to start practicing karate and how do you maintain your passion for the martial art?
I started doing karate when my father invited me to try it because he thought it was interesting. I maintain my motivation by concentrating on improving my own skills, rather than focusing solely on winning the competitions.
Are there any new techniques or skills you are currently working on?
Instead of focusing on learning new techniques, I prioritize practicing and improving together with my students to provide better instruction. I work on perfecting my own skills so that I can always demonstrate techniques to my students. This is why even after retiring, I never stopped training and am always finding ways to improve my techniques.
Photo Credit: Emiri Iwamoto
Given your Master’s in Sports Science Research from Waseda University, how has your academic knowledge influenced your approach to training and performance in karate? How have you balanced life as an athlete and a student?
Balancing graduate studies with training was really tough to do when I was still competing. Some days I would train up to 10 hours a day, but for the days I had to focus on my graduate research, my goal was to practice “efficiently and effectively.” I structured my practice methods based on science and reduced my training sessions to 3 to 5 hours. I also had my personal trainer develop workouts I could do at home, to minimize travel time and train more efficiently. This period became one where I focused on quality over quantity. Even though I spent less time training, my performance improved greatly.
Group Photo at Karate Competition – Photo Credit: Emiri Iwamoto
Can you describe a memorable competition or match that stands out in your career?
My most memorable competition has to be the Asian Championships, when I was dispatched as part of the Japanese national team, and ended up winning! Representing my country for the first time was nerve-wracking, but I was thrilled and relieved to come out on top.
You have been featured on various television shows and martial arts/sports magazines, most recently the Tokyo American Club monthly magazine! What kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind as a role model in the karate community?
In the future, I want to continue to promote karate and normalize “martial arts tourism.” I also hope to open my own dojo. Eventually, I’d like to have a permanent studio where I can offer both traditional karate classes and karate fitness sessions. Since I already receive numerous inquiries from people all over the world, I’m working on creating an environment where I can accommodate them at any time.
Hands-on Instruction with Karate Students – Photo Credit: Emiri Iwamoto
What’s the best way for a newcomer to start their martial arts journey?
My advice for beginners is to first focus on perfecting your posture and the position of your center of gravity. In my lessons, I always begin by showing how changing your posture and center of gravity can make a huge difference, and then guide students to experience it for themselves.
Photo Credit: Emiri Iwamoto
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Karate offers a range of benefits, including strengthening your core, improving balance, enhancing posture, and reducing body fat. Additionally, practicing karate allows you to reflect on yourself and experience personal growth. Ultimately, karate will give you more confidence and foster a positive mindset. Karate is great for improving not just physical health but mental wellness as well. I invite you to enjoy the art of karate, the traditional Japanese martial art with me!
Thank you so much for taking the time to be interviewed! We truly appreciate you giving us the chance to introduce you on our blog.
Be sure to check out Emiri-san on her website and social media!
Website: https://iwamotoemiri.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilykarate
Featured Photo Credit: Emiri Iwamoto
If you come to Tokyo to take a Karate Class with Emiri-san, why not join us on one of our Food Tours with an expert guide?
