### Overview of Karate in the Olympics

Karate made its debut as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This inclusion was part of an initiative by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to rejuvenate the games by incorporating sports popular in the host country. Karate, with its deep roots in Japanese culture, was a significant addition. However, after the 2020 Games, karate was excluded from the Paris 2024 Olympics program.

### Karate Competition Format at the Olympics

The karate competition at the Tokyo Olympics included two disciplines: Kata and Kumite. Kata consists of demonstrating forms and is judged on strength, speed, rhythm, balance, and power of strikes and kicks. Kumite is sparring, which involves direct competition between participants. In Tokyo, the Kumite competition was divided into weight categories.

### Answer A: Ariel Torres' Achievement

#### Biography of Ariel Torres

Ariel Torres is an American karateka who specializes in the Kata discipline. Born and raised in the United States with a passion for martial arts from a young age, Torres has accrued numerous accolades in his sport. His dedication and skill in karate have been evident through his participation in various international competitions.

#### Ariel Torres at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Ariel Torres represented the United States in the men’s Kata category. In a highly competitive field, Torres delivered outstanding performances that earned him a bronze medal. This achievement was particularly notable as it marked one of the medals for the U.S. in karate’s Olympic debut. His success brought attention to karate as a competitive sport in the United States and inspired many young athletes.

### Answer B: No Olympic Medalists in Karate

#### Countries Without Olympic Karate Medalists

While karate’s inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics allowed athletes from around the world to compete, not every participating country succeeded in securing a medal. The reasons vary, including the relatively smaller pool of athletes engaged in karate, lack of funding and support for the sport, or simply the high level of competition especially from countries with a strong tradition in martial arts like Japan, Spain, and Italy.

##### Specific Challenges

In countries without Olympic medalists in karate, several factors contribute to this outcome:
- **Investment**: Less investment in training facilities and coaching for karate.
- **Popularity**: Karate might not be as popular or well-practiced as other sports, leading to a smaller talent pool.
- **Experience**: Countries newer to international karate competitions face seasoned competitors with more experience in handling the pressures of high-stakes contests such as the Olympics.

#### Future Prospects

For nations without Olympic karate medalists, the future still holds potential. Improving infrastructure for karate, increasing accessibility to training, and fostering interest at the grassroots level can help develop talents who may eventually compete on an Olympic stage. Also, the campaign for reinstating karate in future Olympic games continues, which could provide further opportunities for emerging karate athletes from around the world.

### Conclusion

The contrasting realities of Olympic success in karate, illustrated by Ariel Torres' achievement and the absence of medalists from other countries, reflect the broader dynamics of global sports development. Each country's sporting success, especially in newly introduced Olympic events like karate, is shaped by unique factors ranging from cultural heritage to resource allocation. As karate continues to grow globally, it may bring more diverse nations into the spotlight in future international competitions.