The term kickboxing is actually a bit of a corrupted term: in the Netherlands, the term kickboxing is often used for styles that resemble thai boxing (Muay Thai), but historically that is not correct.
Origin of kickboxing in the US
Actual kickboxing originated in the United States in the early 1970s. It was essentially a mixture of different fighting styles such as karate, taekwondo, and kempo. The big difference with what we now usually understand as kickboxing is the absence of kicks to the legs. These so-called low kicks are not allowed in American kickboxing (also called full-contact).
Kickboxing in Japan
In Japan, around the same period, a form called kickboxing also emerged. This fighting style developed from the hard karate styles such as Ashihara and Kyokushin karate mixed with influences from Thai Muay Thai.
WAKO - World Association of Kickboxing Organizations
The WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations) is one of the world's largest martial arts organizations (with 4 million practitioners) and has a clear subdivision of the various kick- and thai boxing variants.
At WAKO, the following are distinguished:
- Point-Fighting
- Light contact
- Full-Contact (no low kicks)
- Low-Kick
- K-1 Rules
IFMA - International Federation of Muaythai Amateur
Furthermore, there is the IFMA (International Federation of Muaythai Amateur), where amateurs compete with protective gear in traditional Muay Thai using fists, knees, elbows, and legs. In the Netherlands, there is rarely competition under so-called "Full Muay Thai" rules. In full Muay Thai, elbows are also used in the fight, something that is rarely allowed in the Netherlands, except sometimes in a few A-class matches.
K-1
We have all become familiar with the K-1 rules. K-1 was not a style but a Japanese martial arts organization. In K-1, the fight resembles kickboxing and thai boxing with a few small differences. Unlike in thai boxing, elbows are not allowed. Also, in clinching, the match is immediately stopped and restarted, whereas in traditional Muay Thai, and to a lesser extent in kickboxing, clinching is a very important part of the fight.
Do you also want to start kickboxing?
Are you super excited to start this amazing, fun, and moreover healthy martial art? Good news. We have listed quite a few kickboxing clubs in various cities in the Netherlands. Moreover, on this site, you can also purchase a super complete kickboxing set directly to get started!
View in webshop:
Collections >> Gear
