DANGEROUS MARTIAL ARTS
Added on: 5th Jan 2016
BOXING
Formally known as Pugilism, Boxing is one of the most well-known
martial arts practiced today (and one of the oldest – it dates back
to Ethiopia in 6,000 B.C.). The ancient Greeks first elevated boxing
to an organized sport by including it in the Olympic Games of B.C.
688 and it remains an Olympic sport to this day. Boxing’s focus on
striking the face making it a particularly lethal martial art despite
the toned-down events which are broadcasted on television today.
SHAOLIN KUNG FU
Though Kung Fu is an umbrella term for various martial arts, the
variety of Kung Fu originating from and practiced at the Shaolin
Monastery in China’s Hunan province is one of the best-known
(and one of the most lethal). Lawlessness in the surrounding provinces
and the monastery’s need to be protected led to the rise of
Shaolin Kung Fu, often practiced by the Buddhist monks for
up to five hours per day.
VARMA KALAI
Varma Kalai is an ancient Indian martial arts style traced back to the
god Shiva and his instruction. More than just a fighting technique,
Varma Kalai includes aspects of traditional massage where pressure
points are used to heal as well as aspects of Ayurveda to treat
paralysis and nervous disorders, among other things. Due to
practitioners’ superior knowledge of the body, the combat version,
Marma Adi, focuses on striking pressure points in the nerves and
organs in order to incapacitate an opponent.
JEET KUNE DO
Jeet Kune Do is the fighting system developed by renowned martial
arts expert Bruce Lee (Chinese name: Lee Jun-fan). Though more a
philosophy than pure martial arts, it is still often considered for
discussion in the martial arts world. Using the least possible
movement with the greatest possible impact and intercepting one’s
opponent as they begin an attack, Jeet Kune Do focuses on speed
and a smooth flow between attack styles. Lee often referred to
this dangerous style as the “art of expressing the human body”.
NINJITSU
The collection of survivalist techniques in war-town feudal Japan,
Ninjutsu is practiced by the shinobi (known as ninjas outside Japan).
Part martial art, part trickery, Ninjitsu and its practitioners frequently
were employed as assassins or spies. Master of stealth, the shinobi
were also skilled archers and runners. Though they could fight
hand-to-hand, these dangerous warriors often employed
weapons such as shurikens and the katana.
WING CHUN
A martial arts form which heavily influenced Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do,
Wing Chun is a Chinese martial art utilizing a high amount of
close combat. Central to the art is the concept of rootedness where
a practitioner must focus on balance and proper stance to brace
themselves against the ground (leading to a more powerful attack).
A balanced yet dangerous martial arts form, Wing Chun insists on
proper structure lest one’s opponent exploit their defences.
BAKOM
With a focus on disrupting an opponent’s balance to catch them off
guard, Bakom (also known as Vacón or Lucha Total) is a Peruvian
street fighting style. Created by Roberto Puch Bezada, Bakom
used to be seen only in secret underground fights with no rules
other than no hits to the genitals or throat. Otherwise,
the goal is to inflict as much injury as possible to one’s opponent.
KALARIPAYATTU
Originating from the south-western Indian state of Kerala,
Kalaripayattu is regarded as one of the oldest martial arts
styles in the world. Though the original styles employed weapons,
today’s sparring practices forego them. Only the most disciplined
and wise Kalaripayattu practitioners are taught techniques where
the mere touching of a vital point can disable or kill their attacker.
Despite the masters’ use of massage – they massage their
students to increase flexibility to treat muscle injuries – this is
a seriously deadly form of martial arts which played an important
role over centuries of South Indian fighting, especially
between the Chera and Chola dynasties.
FRENCH SAVATE
Traditionally derived in the Parisian slums, French Savate has
gruesome roots. Partially drawing from Greek Pankration, Savate
focuses on low kicks (rarely above the groin) aimed at breaking
an opponent’s bones. As one could go to prison for up to six
months for hitting someone with a closed fist, this dangerous
fighting style utilized open-handed blows, especially on
the face to stun one’s adversary.
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