You must have asked this question at least once that what is martial arts? Well, it is traditionally a practice of combat fighting done in many countries for the development of mental and physical wellbeing. Some people practice it for carrying out their culture and passing it to their next generation. Martial arts require discipline, hard work and years of training to master it. This art is also used in the training for military and law enforcement as well as for self -defense. Many countries have their own unique style of martial arts.
So here below is a list of top 10 types of martial arts:
- KARATE, Japan
Source: wikihow
Karate also known as Karate Do, is a martial art practiced in Japan and was introduced in the Ryukyu kingdom. It was developed under the influence of Kungfu. In karate a person uses punching, elbow strikes, knee strikes and open hand techniques like spear hands, knife hands and palm heel strikes to defend and fight the enemy. Person practicing karate is called karateka. Today karate is practiced not only in japan but all over the world. It has also become an Olympic sport in which many countries participate to earn the first position.
2. KUNG FU, China
KUNG FU which is also known as Wushu, is a Chinese martial art. Just like any other martial art, it requires a lot of patience and years of practice to learn it. To achieve the master of Kungfu, one needs to learn discipline. There are many forms of kung fu such as tai chi, shaolin Kungfu, etc and each of the form has its own technique and the way of learning. One can easily find about these in historical books of China. It is getting quite popular worldwide and is getting attention from people around the world.
3. JUDO, Japan
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It is called the modern Japanese martial art which originated in Japan and has become an Olympic sport. Judo was created by Jigoro Kano in 1882. By this art he wanted to develop a better learning for physical, mental and moral ways. Judo is a competitive martial art in which one has to throw or take down the opponent to the ground. Overall, he has to make his opponent surrender to win the judo match. The person who practices judo is known as judoka and the uniform they wear is called judogi. Two of the well- known judo players are Teddy Riner and Anton Geesink.
4. MUAY THAI, Thailand
Source: youtube
Muay Thai which is also known as Thai boxing, is a martial art which originated in Thailand. In these practitioners use their fists, knees, elbows and shins and hence it is called the art of eight limbs. It became popular worldwide in late 20th and 21st century. It was first played in mid-18th century in Thailand. It has not become an Olympic sport yet but is still played in multiple competitions. It is related to other martial arts such as Muay Chaiya, Muay Lao and Tomoi. Muay Thai is inspired from Muay boran and the people who practice this martial art are known as Nak muay. Some of the people who are famous practitioners of muay thai are Saenchai, Tony Ja, Buakaw Banchamek and John Wayne Parr.
5. AIKIDO, japan
Many of the unique martial arts were introduced in japan and one of them is aikido. It comes under modern Japanese martial arts and is split into many different styles such as shodokan aikido, ki aikido, yoshinkan, etc. It was created by Morihei seshiba people whose famous practitioners are Christian Tissier, Gozo Shioda, Takashi Kushida. The main focus of this art is grappling and softness. The principles of it are tankan (turning), kokyu-ho( breathing control), sankaku ho(triangular principle), irimi ( entering) and atemi. It is derived from the martial art of ‘daito ryu aiki jujutsu’ but separated from it in the late 1920s. Sometimes it is looked as the way of harmonious spirit or the way of uniting with the life energy. The goal of it is to overcome oneself instead of being aggressive or violent.
6. SUMO
Source: apnews
It is a full contact wrestling that is competitive that was introduced in japan in which a person has to force his opponent out of a circular ring or into touching the ground with any other body part other than his feet. The main focus in this is grappling. It is not an Olympic sport and is only played professionally in japan. It was first played in japan in the mid-16th century. The people who practice this art have to stay in communal training center, where they have to strictly follow the rules made such as the meals that they will have and dress that they will wear. This sport has a lot of rituals that are followed religiously even today.
7. STICK FIGHTING
In this martial art the practitioner uses simple long wooden sticks for fighting. Thicker and heavier sticks are not used in stick fighting. Some of the techniques are seen as defensive techniques but some techniques were developed as safe techniques such as indiangatka and kendo. Stick fighting has been played from a long time and has gone many changes. It is famous all over the world and all countries have their own unique style of stick fighting.
8. TAEKWONDO
This was introduced in Korea where the practitioner follows both self- defense and attack. Taekwondo has become so popular in the world that it is practiced as a sport or exercise. It helps a person to gain flexibility, strength and balance. It is believed that in practicing taekwondo the leg is the strongest and furthest reaching body part that a human has, so it is used as a weapon to defeat the opponent.
9. BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was introduced in brazil and is practiced as a celebrated sport. It is more aggressive than other martial arts. Its main key is to understand one’s own moves and attackers moves to defeat the opponent. In this biting, hard striking, joint locks and other skillful techniques are used. Another important feature of it is to learn how to balance the body if any part of it is attacked.
10. Boxing
You must have heard of boxing since your childhood, as it is the most popular sport played all over the world. It comprises of two people who wear boxing gloves and other protective equipment to fight each other through punches. It is also an Olympic game and also has its world championship. Some of the famous boxers of all times are Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey.
