In the first “Karate Kid” movie, Daniel Johnny defeated Johnny in the final fight of the All Valley Under 18 karate tournament using a technique he learned from his sensei Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) called the Crane Kick. So it is fitting that his daughter Sam, in her climax in the girls’ final of the All Valley tournament decades later, also used a special kick to score a point against her opponent Tory Nichols (Peyton List).
The flying tornado kick is teased for the first time in episode 7 when Johnny tries to make up for the fact that he meets his neighbor Carmen Diaz (Vanessa Rubio) with her son and longtime student Miguel (Xolo Maridueña). After Miguel makes it clear that his changed relationship shouldn’t hinder his karate training, Johnny promises to teach Miguel the flying tornado kick, which he calls “the tough move in karate”. Sam then shows up at Johnny’s dojo claiming Daniel said she should cross-train with Johnny to improve ahead of the upcoming tournament.
However, when Sam performs the flying tornado kick in the All Valley, Daniel immediately asks where she learned it and reveals her claim that he sanctioned her cross-training as a lie. That is, while she loses her fight to Tory, Sam’s decision to go her own way and appreciate both Daniel and Johnny’s teachings triggers a full reconciliation between the two karate teachers, potentially ending their longstanding rivalry.
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