Top 10 Martial Arts in the World

10. Krav Maga

This type of self-defense system was developed for use by the Israeli military. The name stands for “contact combat” and it consists of a variety of techniques. It focuses on real world situations and brutal counter attacks that are based on street fighting skills that were created by Imi Lichtenfeld. However, it is a type of fighting that encourages students to avoid confrontation but if the fight is unavoidable; its techniques will end the fight quickly by aiming at the most vulnerable areas of the human body. Some moves can permanently injure or kill opponents.

9. Kickboxing

This type of martial arts focuses on standing fights using kicking and punching. It uses techniques derived from karate, western boxing, and Kun Khmer/Muay Thai. People train to do it in order to defend themselves from attacks, stay in shape, and to use as a sport. There are kick boxing championships and there are various rules for “safe fighting”.

8. Kendo

The name stands for “Way of the Sword” and it is one of the more modern Japanese martial arts. It is a direct decendant from swordmanship that is known as Kenjutsu that uses bamboo swords as well as armor. It is practiced in many nations around the world. People enjoy not only the physical activity that goes along with it but the mental challenge that it presents.

7. Aikido

Developed by Morihei Ueshiba is what you find when you practice Aikido which is a Japanese martial art. He developed it to combine his martial studies, religious belief, and philosophy. It is performed by redirecting force from an attack rather than opposing it. It requires very little physical strength. It is popular all over the world and there are a variety of styles. These styles maintain the techniques from Ueshiba and all have consideration for the well-being of an attacker.

6. Tai Chi Chuan

This Chinese martial art is practiced both for the health benefits and self-defense training that comes along with it. It improves a person’s balance and psychological health according to medical research. It is easy for older people to use because of the slower movements involved in using it.

5. Jujitsu

This Japanese martial art is a method of close combat that allows someone to defeat an armed as well as armored opponent using no weapon by manipulating the opponent’s force against them because of the simple fact that striking an armored opponent is a fairly useless attack. Therefore, this practice allows you to neutralize an enemy using their energy against them. Jujitsu schools use various techniques of grappling. This may include various holds, striking, kicking and even biting.

4. Kung Fu

ung Fu is a Chinese martial art that is used for self-defense. It involves both hand to hand combat as well as combat with weapons. It combines a variety of other types of fighting techniques including karate and wushu. To learn it you must practice patience and energy. You use it when unarmed and in need of protecting yourself using the strengths that you naturally possess.

3. Judo

This modern martial art means “gentle way” and it is commonly used in combat situations as well as for an Olympic sport in Japan where the objective is simply to throw or take down your opponent and subdue them by pinning them. You can also force them into submission by using a joint lock or a choke hold. To fight you can use hands, feet and even weapons. The overall idea is that if you resist your opponent you will find defeat, instead, evade and your opponent will lose his balance and therefore his power is reduced so that you can win. It allows the weaker opponent to beat someone who is significantly stronger than they are.

2. Tae Kwon Do

This Korean martial art combines self-defense with sports and exercise. It combines taekkyeon, Okinawan karate, as well as other types of defensive arts. It is a sport that places high emphasis on speed and competition. It allows the opponents to use hands, feet, and pure speed if you find yourself in an unarmed combat situation. You use your strength, survival skills and speed to win against even the most formidable opponent.

1. Karate

To practice the ancient art of karate you will use everything that you can to win against your opponent including punches, kicks, knee strikes, knife hands, spear hands, grappling, joint locks, restraints, and more. If you want to practice karate it is believed that only a clear mind and conscience can understand and that you must be inwardly humble and gentle outwardly. You should be receptive to criticism and if you are indecisive it is a weakness. This form of martial arts is popular all over the world and several movies have been based on it to give it even more popularity.

Martial arts is a form of fighting but it is also much more than that. All types of martial arts within the list of the top 10 martial arts in the world are based on gaining confidence and stability. These techniques are taught to help you avoid getting hurt in a combat situation but all will encourage you to avoid confrontation if at all possible. Use martial arts only for your health, your confidence, and if you need it, to protect yourself.