Japanese hurdler Rachid Muratake has gone viral after celebrating his latest achievement with a pose inspired by JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
The 21-year-old athlete set a new Japanese national record in the 110-metre hurdles with a time of 13.04 seconds.
Crossing the finish line, Muratake struck a pose closely resembling Enrico Pucci from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, leaning back with arms extended in dramatic fashion.
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Images and clips of the celebration spread rapidly across social media, with anime fans quickly recognising the reference. Many highlighted the accuracy of his stance, comparing it to iconic illustrations from the series.
Muratake has been a rising figure in Japanese athletics, steadily improving his performances on the international stage. His record-setting run cements his place among Asia’s top hurdlers while drawing further attention to his growing career.
The reference to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure reflects the series’ enduring influence in Japanese pop culture. Known for its distinctive poses, eccentric characters, and bold stylistic choices, the franchise has inspired a wide range of tributes, memes, and real-world imitations.
Enrico Pucci, the character Muratake mimicked, plays a central role in the Stone Ocean arc and is recognised for his dramatic postures.
This is not Muratake’s first anime-inspired gesture. In 2024, he channelled Jonathan Joestar with a signature entrance pose before a competition, further solidifying his reputation for blending sport with anime references.
He now joins a long list of athletes who have incorporated anime into their celebrations. Footballers have performed Dragon Ball Z power-up gestures, while MMA fighter Israel Adesanya is known for referencing Naruto through hand signs and entrances.
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