Most (but not all) martial arts and combat sports originate from Asia. Especially China, Korea, and Japan have a long history regarding self-defense systems. Learn more about the origins of Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Kung Fu, and many other systems.
Aikido (Japan)
The term Aikido literally means “the way of harmony with Ki,” but many other interpretations are possible. It is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. Read more
Eskrima (Philippines)
Eskrima, Kali, and Arnis are collective names for Filipino martial arts. These arts originated centuries ago and have continuously evolved for their role in (tribal) warfare. With Eskrima, the eskrimador learns armed... read more
Han Mu Do (Korea)
Han Mu Do, founded by He-Young Kimm, is a martial art consisting of hand techniques, weapon mastery, and martial arts philosophy. Kimm integrated the techniques and philosophies of various Korean martial arts, most of which... read more
Hapkido (Korea)
Hapkido is a Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that uses joint locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, and strikes. Practitioners of Hapkido train to counter techniques from other martial arts. ... read more
Hwarang Do (Korea)
The Korean martial art Hwarang Do was developed by Grandmaster Lee Joo Bang. Lee Joo Bang practiced Hapkido but developed his own style and named it Hwarang Do. After moving to the United States... read more
Jeet Kune Do
The name of the martial art developed by Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do, literally translates to ‘the way of the intercepting fist.’ Contrary to what many people think, Jeet Kune Do is not a sport, but a ... read more
Jiu-Jitsu (Japan)
Jiu-jitsu literally means “the art of softness” but can better be described as “smooth technique.” It is a collective name for Japanese martial arts styles that include armed and unarmed techniques. Jiujitsu... read more
Judo (Japan)
Judo can literally be translated as “the gentle way.” It is a Japanese martial art that originated at the end of the 19th century. The main component is the competitive element where the goal is to... read more
Karate-do (Okinawa – Japan)
Karate, fully known as Karate-do, is a martial art that originated in the Okinawa province, which now belongs to Japan. Karate is primarily a standing martial art emphasizing punching techniques, kicking techniques, knee... read more
Kempo (China)
The Chinese characters for kempo or kenpo are pronounced as Chuan (fist) Fa (way or method). The Japanese, who use the Chinese characters, translate the characters as Ken (sword or fist) and Ho... read more
Kendo (Japan)
Kendo, which means ‘Way of the Sword,’ is a modern Japanese martial art of sword fighting based on the traditional Japanese Kenjutsu. Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that embodies the values of... read more
Kickboxing (Japan and US)
Kickboxing is a combat sport where both hands and legs may be used. The sport originated in Japan and the United States, where it became popular in the early 1970s. Kickboxing in... read more
Kobudo (Japan)
Kobudo is the collective name for the more modern (after around 1900) forms of the classical Japanese martial art from the island of Okinawa. Contrary to popular belief, the weapons used in Kobudo... read more
Krav Maga (Israel)
Krav Maga is a self-defense art that originated in Israel. The founder of the movement is the Czech Imrich Sde-Or, simply called Imi. Imi was confronted with antisemitism at a young age in his homeland Czechoslovakia... read more
Kuk Sool Won (Korea)
Kuk Sool Won is a Korean martial art system developed by In Hyuk Suh (the Kuk Sa Nim or Grandmaster). The name Kuk Sool Won means ‘National Martial Arts Federation’ and is often abbreviated to... read more
Kung-Fu (China)
Kung-Fu and Wushu are two popular terms that have become synonymous with Chinese martial arts. However, the two Chinese terms have very different meanings. Wushu can be interpreted in many different ways... read more
K-1 (Japan)
K-1 is a combat sport that combines techniques from thai boxing, taekwondo, karate, kung-fu, kickboxing, and traditional boxing. The ‘K’ stands for karate, kung-fu, and kickboxing. The term K-1 is derived from F-1 or .... read more
Muay Thai (Thailand)
Muay Thai, better known as thai boxing, has been practiced in Thailand for centuries. This martial art is very popular in Thailand and far beyond. Muay Thai as it is practiced now is somewhat derived from the ... read more
Ninjutsu (Japan)
Ninjutsu, or ‘the art of concealment,’ is a Japanese martial art developed by inhabitants of the mountainous regions in the former province of Iga (now Mie) and Kōka (in Shiga) from their knowledge of hunting and fighting techniques... read more
Nunchaku-do (China and Japan)
Nunchaku-do is a combat sport with the nunchaku, two sticks connected by a rope or chain. The origin of this martial art is not exactly known. The nunchaku was probably originally an agricultural tool... read more
Pencak Silat (Indonesia)
Pencak Silat is the collective name for traditional Indonesian martial arts. Different styles have traditionally developed per region, often imitating local animals. Pencak Silat in Indonesia is strongly mixed with mental spiritual elements, where physical... read more
Sambo (Russia)
Sambo is a Russian martial art also known as Sombo or Cambo. It is a modern combat sport and self-defense art officially recognized as a sport since 1938. The word Sambo stands for...read more
Sanda (China)
Sanda is the sportive side of san shou, with strict rules regarding the techniques that may be used. Sanda is also called Chinese kickboxing. San shou is a form of... read more
Sumo (Japan)
Sumo or sumo wrestling is a traditional Japanese wrestling sport usually practiced by very heavy men. The wrestling match takes place in a circular area of a clay floor and is accompanied by many rituals. The Japanese... read more
Systema (Russia)
Systema is a Russian martial art. It is not a sport. There are no forbidden techniques, everything is allowed, and it has no competition or belt system like karate, jiu-jitsu, judo, or aikido. There are... read more
Taekkyon (Korea)
Taekkyon is an ancient form of unarmed self-defense from Korea. The name Taekkyon is first mentioned in the book Manmulbo, published around 1790 by Lee, Sung-Ji. Before that time, it was known as... read more
Taekwondo (Korea)
Taekwondo (sometimes written as taekwon-do or tae kwon do) is a Korean martial art and also the national sport of South Korea. Looking at the worldwide number of practitioners, it is clear that taekwondo is... read more
Tai Chi (China)
Tai Chi is a Chinese movement art focused on promoting physical health and mental well-being. Tai Chi helps keep muscles and joints flexible. It also promotes good posture. When someone says that... read more
Tang Soo Do (Korea)
Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art meaning literally “the art of the Chinese hand” and has its origins in various martial arts from Korea, China, and Okinawa. These roots began in the... read more
Viet Vo Dao (Vietnam)
Viet Vo Dao is the philosophy behind many Vietnamese martial arts. – Viet is derived from the country name Vietnam – Vo means martial art – Dao is the way, the path someone takes, the... read more
Wing-Chun (China)
Wing Chun is a Chinese martial art specializing in close-range combat. Wing Chun was originally passed down orally from teacher to student rather than through written documentation. This makes it difficult to... read more
Wushu (China)
Wushu, also known as modern wushu, is a performance form derived from Kung Fu. The sport was developed in post-1949 China in an effort to create a traditional Chinese... read more
Yagli Gures (Turkey)
Yagli Gures is the Turkish national sport. Commonly known as Turkish Wrestling or oil wrestling because the wrestlers coat themselves with olive oil. The wrestlers are called pehlivan, which means ‘hero’ or ‘champion’. They... read more