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Kickboxing - A Brief History Detailing International and Cross-Cultural
Emergence
The history of martial arts, as forms of both self-defense and athletic competition, is both long and
complicated. While many martial arts have come and gone, one prominent martial art which has emerged
within the past century is kickboxing ? a martial art which fuses Japanese Karate, Muay Thai, and traditional
American Boxing. Kickboxing, as a synthesis of alternative martial arts, demonstrates the effective results
which ?mixed? martial-arts can yield. Currently, kickboxing is an internationally sanctioned sport, having
attained recognition in nations throughout the world, most prominently its founding country of Japan, as well
as the United States and nations throughout Europe. Within the United States specifically, kickboxing has
found a tremendous following ? From New York to Katy kickboxing has come to be recognized as a
legitimate form of self-defense.
Kickboxing can be characterized by the rules and forms which differentiate it from other martial arts. As a
mixed martial art, kickboxing allows both practitioners and competitors to engage in full-contact action.
Kickboxers usually adorn themselves in protective headgear, boxing gloves, trousers, and a groin guard prior
to engagement. As with most martial arts, all points scored during contact must connect above the
recipient?s waste. Elbow strikes and knee strikes are generally forbidden, as are clinches, sweeps and
throws. Most bouts or contests are usually held in rounds, with the number and length of rounds varying
depending upon the rules of competition. The rules of kickboxing contrast with one of its originating sports,
Muay Thai, which permits the use of elbow and knee strikes, as well as clinches, sweeps and throws.
On a technical level, kickboxing is primarily composed of two types of strikes ? kicks and punches. While
both types of strikes are valid in combat, an experienced kickboxing competitor will utilize both in order to
achieve victory. Although knee and elbow strikes are forbidden in American kickboxing, these types of strikes
are crucial in Japanese Kickboxing, and are permitted as a tribute to the sport?s origination from Muay Thai.
Kickboxing practice typically consists of the repetition of patterns of attack and defense, as well as practice
matches with fellow practitioners for purposes of increasing experience.
While kickboxing originated as an athletic sport in Japan, it has since become a popular form of practiced
self-defense. Throughout the United States, kickboxing has become a common staple in gyms and other
workout centers, aiming to provide users with a perfunctory or advanced knowledge of applied self-defense
through martial arts. Gyms for kickboxing can be found in any city, from New York, New York to Katy, Texas.
In Katy kickboxing has become a popular exercise form, with gyms providing local enthusiasts a great
number of opportunities to increase their skill and safety through practice.
Kickboxing has grown to become a globally recognized athletic event. While not yet established as an
Olympic event, kickboxing has been given strong consideration for placement as an event in future Olympic
competitions. While it appears kickboxing has not yet fully flourished, if examples such as the emergence of
and its resultant popularity are any indication, it would appear that kickboxing may soon become one of the
world?s leading athletic events. Only time will tell if the martial art of kickboxing is meant to enter into the
realm of international recognition and widespread fame which other similar martial arts have attained.
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