Shizuoka Karate Exchange Strengthens Omaha’s Sister Cities Bond
March 20-24, 2025
Omaha Sister Cities Association’s Shizuoka Committee recently coordinated and had the honor of hosting a karate/boxing exchange with our sister city, Shizuoka, Japan. Organized in collaboration with the B & B Sports Academy and the YMCA of Omaha, this cultural and martial arts exchange brought sixth-degree black belt instructors and students from the Kenyunjuku Karate School in Shizuoka to work with various instructors and students from the Omaha and Lincoln communities.
On Saturday, athletes from Shizuoka and Omaha engaged in training sessions, technical workshops, and friendly demonstrations at the B and B Sports and Boxing Academy in Omaha. More than just teaching and showing each other their techniques, participants embraced the spirit of each other’s sport, emphasizing discipline, respect, and perseverance. Sunday provided an opportunity for the public to see a martial arts demonstration from the Shizuoka karate team and 4 other local teams at the Butler-Gast YMCA. The event showcased their different skillsets in Aikido, Judo, Karate, and Ju-Jitsu.
In addition to the athletic activities, the visitors from Shizuoka had the opportunity to experience Omaha’s culture and hospitality. The guests experienced home stays with local families, enjoyed a day at the Henry Doorly Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and Old Market. They had the opportunity to have homecooked family meals, enjoy an American birthday cake, and a good steak from a local Italian steakhouse. For 60 years, the Omaha-Shizuoka relationship has long been a testament to the power of international friendship. Through initiatives like this karate exchange, we continue to strengthen the ties between our cities, not just through diplomacy, but through shared experiences, learning, and mutual respect.
Events like this karate exchange reminds us of why we do what we do, build bridges between cultures. By learning from one another, both on and off the mat, we create lifelong friendships and deepen our understanding of the values that unite us.
We extend our gratitude to all participants, organizers, and sponsors who made this event a success.
