YouTube Debuts An ESPN Films 30 For 30: Daniel LaRusso vs. Johnny Lawrence

YouTube today, in collaboration with ESPN 30 for 30, dropped an all new special, DANIEL LARUSSO VS. JOHNNY LAWRENCE, which revisits the 1984 Under Eighteen All Valley Karate Tournament where the world witnessed one of the most epic rivalries in all of sports history – Daniel LaRusso vs. Johnny Lawrence.

Over 35 years later, the controversial match between the Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai adversaries continues to create a rift among fans, athletes, historians and sports insiders, raising questions – Who really should have won? Was the Crane Kick legal?  And most importantly, who would win in a rematch?

Watch Daniel LaRusso (1984 All Valley Karate Tournament Champion/Miyagi-Do Sensei), Johnny Lawrence (1982-83 All Valley Karate Tournament Champion/Cobra Kai Sensei),J ohn Kreese (Original Cobra Kai Founder), Miguel Diaz (Cobra Kai Student and 2018 All Valley 50th Anniversary Karate Tournament Champion), Samantha LaRusso (Miyagi-Do Student), Ryan Smith (ESPN), Nicole Briscoe (ESPN), Steve Levy (ESPN), Randy Scott (ESPN), Chris Cotter (ESPN), Raymond (Johnny Lawrence Superfan), and Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald and Hayden Schlossberg (All Valley Karate Tournament Historians) as they weigh in on what is considered “the David and Goliath” story of children’s karate.

Watch the ESPN 30 for 30: Daniel LaRusso Vs. Johnny Lawrence video HERE

Press interested in embedding the video directly into their stories can use the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf29DTdU1Ow&feature=youtu.be

Fans can revisit the continued rivalry starting April 24, 2019 when SEASON 2 of the critically-acclaimed YouTube Original series COBRA KAI, premieres on YouTube Premium.

Season 2 brings fans back into the action with Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) after the shocking Season 1 cliffhanger featuring the return of John Kreese (Martin Kove). When a new rivalry between opposing dojos is born in the aftermath of Cobra Kai’s controversial win at the All Valley Championships, Daniel realizes his next countermove is to open his own karate training school called Miyagi-Do, in honor of his mentor Mr. Miyagi. What was once a personal feud between Daniel and Johnny escalates beyond their differences to engulf their students, who as teenagers, are already challenged to figure out who they are and who they want to be. Which path will they follow – Cobra Kai or Miyagi-Do?

COBRA KAI is written and executive produced by Josh Heald (Hot Tub Time Machine), and Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (Harold & Kumar, American Reunion). Together, the trio conceived the new Karate Kid storyline that picks-up decades after the original film ends. Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg will direct much of the series. Susan Ekins also executive produces. Will Smith, James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett executive produced for Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television Studios.