In Japan, torii gates are regarded as sacred symbols, representing the boundary between the divine and the human world. However, a 15-second video of Chilean gymnast Marimar Perez doing pull-ups on a torii gate recently went viral online, attracting a deluge of negative comments, which ultimately led her to close her Instagram account.
Besides being a gymnast, Perez is also a somewhat well-known influencer, often sharing her travel videos on Instagram and YouTube. Recently, she uploaded a video titled “Challenge,” showcasing her gymnastics skills, doing pull-ups on a torii’s crossbar, synchronized with the music, and finally flashing a sweet smile upon completing the move.
However, this behavior has sparked strong dissatisfaction among Japanese netizens. Some users plainly called her an idiot, believing she should no longer step foot in Japan, while others questioned the extreme disrespect of her actions, even comparing it to using a church’s cross. Perez has since set her Instagram to private, making it impossible to view the video directly.