Martial Arts Contests
Martial arts forms exist in many countries and they have existed since ancient civilizations. Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian and Brazilian martial arts forms may the best-known disciplines. Major competitions are held in Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Sumo, Jujutsu, Jiu-Jitsu or Wushu, with varying levels of recognition and awards or titles.
Major competitions of martial arts forms offer a wide range of options. Judo was introduced at the Summer Olympics in 1964, with a world championship held every non Olympic year. The Karate World Championships started in 1970, with 50 million practitioners, worldwide. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was popularized as a groundwork-based sport, based on pre-World War II Judo adaptations, brought from Asia to Brazil. Tae Kwon Do originated in Korea in 1957, as a result of Korean War combat, but it’s estimated that 70 million people in 190 countries practice it, with both becoming Olympic events. With such a diverse range of disciplines and competitions there is also the opportunity to place a bet on martial arts contests with many online sites.
Japanese:
Japanese Judo, Karate, JuJitsu and other forms of Japanese martial arts forms may be the most recognized. From Samurai warriors to Sumo wrestlers, Japanese combat methods can include throwing techniques of Jujitsu, the grappling-based moves of Judo and the open-hand stances or kicking techniques of Karate. The combinations of these Japanese martial arts forms have been the basis for many other combat fighting methods, when ancient warriors inter-mingled on the Asian continent. Some of the major competitions that are held include the All Japan Judo Championship, National All Styles Championships, The Paris Karate Open and The Otosan International Karate Cup.
Korean:
Korean Tae Kwon Do Championships are held internationally, nationally and regionally, in almost 200 countries. Popularized as combat fighting, during the Korean War, Tae Kwon Do has become one of the most popular competition martial arts forms, in the world. There are many other traditional forms, which originated more than 2000 years ago, although most of them are lesser-known, on the international stage. Hapkido is for self-defense, while Kum Do is the Korean art of the sword. TangSooDo is the forerunner to the modern Tae Kwon Do, which is also taught by experts in traditional Asian self-defense methods. International competition is seen in the Olympics, but there are many national, regional and local preliminaries and tournaments such as the Korean Ambassador Cup.
Chinese:
Chinese Wushu or Kung Fu are popular terms from China, although the fighting styles share commonalities with other Asian-based self-defense techniques. Today’s Chinese martial arts forms are exhibition and competition-based, instead of being used for military or personal combat, but competitions may be international, such as the International Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Competition. Kung Fu movies made Chinese martial arts a popular form of entertainment, around the world, but these two terms encompass a number of sub-categories and disciplines, with many national and regional competitions such as the White Dragon Kung Fu Tournament.
Indian:
Indian martial arts forms are referred to as Sastravidya or Dhanurveda and may be known as Gatka, Thang-Ta or Malla-Yuddha, in exhibition competitions. Depending on whether combat-wrestling, full-contact, weapon-based, kickboxing or sword-and-shield fighting, these styles are sub-categorized. Today, they may be for performance only, such as stick fighting or sword fighting. After the establishment of British rule in the 19th century, the actual combat versions were limited or banned. While ancient versions of fighting were popular in the 1st century, by the 3rd century, they may have resembled choreographed movements, closely related to yoga, dance or other performing arts. Indian wrestling, known as Kushti, has progressed to competition levels, held internationally in Delhi, India. One of the premier competitions in Gatka is the Yudh Gatka Competition.
Brazilian:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become a part of Capoeira, which is a combination of sports, music and martial arts forms to celebrate freedom and expression. Brazilian martial arts forms are distinct, in that they may be considered a dance-form, encouraging flexibility, fitness and endurance. The Olympic committee now accepts Brazilian Capoeira as a sport, making Jiu-Jitsu an entertaining and competitive form of self-defense. One of the premier competitions outside of the Olympics is the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup.
