The Global Allure of Karate

A competitor (right) from Iran, now a major karate powerhouse.

Nguyen Hoang Ngan of Vietnam, the gold medalist at the 2008 World Championships.

Spanish karateka participating in a group kata event.

A Turkish karateka (right) launches a kick.

An Egyptian competitor (right) in a bout. Karateka from Egypt have been focusing on kata as well in recent years.

Douglas Brose (right), a Brazilian world champion.