Art has come a long way from being simply paintings and sculptures. Art isn’t necessarily bound by the brushstrokes, but rather movement and the idea behind it. Hence, the new age definition of art has been revived and revitalized to include performance art, photography, and even martial arts. While the pacifists will assuredly be scandalized by martial arts, they are merely a juxtaposition of movements. Martial arts are a boon as they assist overall growth – physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. All the best martial arts in the world help express the performer through excellent movement, fast footwork, powerful stances, and a cumulative combination of these techniques. Let’s talk about some of the best martial arts in the world.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art formed during the 1940s and 1950s, borrowing elements from Japanese and Chinese martial arts. Taekwondo is characterized by head-height kicks, spinning kicks, fast kicks, and jumping kicks.
Karate
Karate is a martial art developed in the 17th century under the patronage of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It may be seen as an amalgamation between the fighting techniques of the indigenous Okinawa tribes and the Chinese martial arts. Modern karate focuses on striking with kicks and punches, whereas traditional karate often employs throwing and joint-locking techniques.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a Thai combat boxing sport. It is also known as the ‘art of eight limbs’ as the practitioner has to frequently use their fists, elbows, shins, and knees. A typical Muay Thai match would feature standing-up striking, sweeps, and clinching techniques. The history of Muay Thai can be traced back to 16th century Thailand. Despite this fact, some people claim that the martial art form originated from Cambodian Bokator.
Judo
Judo is a modern Japanese martial art created in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō. What sets Judo apart from other martial art forms is the fact that weapons and strikes are not allowed in this combat sport. The objective of Judo is to throw, pin, and make the opponent submit either by a joint lock or a chokehold.
Kung Fu
Kung Fu is a general term for Chinese martial arts. The term can be exchanged with ‘wushu’ and ‘quanfa.’ Some forms of Kung Fu are modelled on animal characteristics, while others focus on either qi manipulation or improving cardiovascular and muscle fitness.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is an Israeli martial art form developed in the 1930s by Imrich Lichtenfeld. It was developed for the Israel Defence Forces and borrows elements from other martial arts such as Judo, Aikido, Karate, Boxing, and Wrestling. Krav Maga focuses on developing muscle memory for quick, repetitive, and simultaneous defence and attack till the time the opponent is incapacitated.
Aikido
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. Ueshiba unified his marital education with his philosophical and religious beliefs to pave the way for a technique which not only defends oneself but also protects the opponent from injury. Aikido involves pre-practised designated strikes, breathing exercises, movement control, throwing, and joint locking.
Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial art technique engendered by the actor and practitioner Bruce Lee. While other martial art forms have a singular way to intercept the opponent, Jeet Kune Do aims at instantaneous decisions and attacks. It emphasizes kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling.
Kendo
Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art which primarily uses bamboo swords to fight. The martial art dates back to the Shotoku Era, when Naganuma Shirōzaemon Kunisato introduced armour and bamboo swords to sword fighting. A typical Kendo match will feature pre-strike shouts and foot stamping. It also includes striking and thrusting, albeit only at particular regions, which are always covered with armour.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was developed in 1925 by brothers Carlos, Oswaldo, Gastão Jr, O’Brien, and Hélio Gracie. The self-defence martial art is a mix between Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu aims to incapacitate the opponent and make them submit via joint lock and chokehold. It features lots of grappling, ground-fighting, and submission techniques.
Image Courtesy – The Bridge
