World AthleticsJapanese hurdler Rachid Muratake went viral after celebrating his new national record by striking a pose straight out of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
Muratake set the Japanese record in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.04 seconds. As he crossed the finish line, the 21-year-old threw his arms wide and leaned back, mimicking the stance of Enrico Pucci from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean.
The image quickly spread across social media, with fans pointing out the unmistakable resemblance.
Muratake has been one of Japan’s rising stars in track and field, competing internationally while lowering his personal bests in the hurdles. His latest performance not only secured the national record but also reinforced his place among the top hurdlers in Asia.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has long been a cultural touchstone in Japan, with its dramatic poses and unique characters inspiring countless memes, homages, and references in real life.
Pucci, the character Muratake imitated, is central to the Stone Ocean arc, where his distinct poses have become iconic within the fandom.
It’s not the first time that the athlete has done a JoJo pose either. Last year, he did a Jonathan Joestar pose as he entered.
Muratake has added himself to a growing list of athletes who have used anime celebrations. Dragon Ball Z power-ups is a favourite of footballers, and MMA fighter Israel Adesanya often copies Naruto hand signs.