Kyokushin Karate is one of the toughest martial arts on the planet. Definitely not one for
Karate Competitions
those of you who don’t like to be hit. If you do not like violence, you probably shouldn’t even peek through the windows. Masutatsu Oyama founded Kyokushin in 1964 and since then an amazing 12 million students have trained in this style. It is distinguished by it’s full contact training, stand up style and emphasis on it’s practicality and physical toughness.
Hand protection is not permitted in tournaments, but after too many major injuries punches to the head are no longer allowed but knees and kicks are. Like knees and kicks can’t do any damage? This is true ‘knockdown’ karate where you score by knocking your opponent down (throws are generally not allowed). Kyokushin could actually be considered one of the first mixed martial arts forums as most tournaments will allow practitioners from other art enter and compete in these martial arts competitions.
But perhaps the most impressive part of Kyokushin Karate is the multi-person sparring events. 
These are not just unique events but are also used for grading. These most commonly consist of the 50 and 100 man ‘kumite’. The subject of the kumite is put up against 50 or 100 sparring partners consecutively. They are broken up in to 2 minute bouts with 1 minute breaks in between. Being at least 2.5 hours long this makes the UFC 15 minute matches almost laughable! In order to pass the test you must win at least 50% of the bouts – meaning not getting knocked out! Founder Masutatsu Oyama is said to have championed a 300 man kumite over 3 days. Now that is really some skill to be proud of. So if you are ever tempted to complain in class about a bruise or being tired after a 2 minute round, keep this in mind and step up your game!
Here are some related articles from other great karate blogs:
Also known as the ‘El Juego Del Garrote’, Garotte Larense is a unique martial art from 
Venezuela, South America. While Venezuela may be considered a small country, it’s capital Caracas is known to have the highest per-capita murder rate in the world, even rivaling the death tolls of war time Iraq and Afghanistan. So clearly any martial art that has proved it’s self on these streets has definitely earned some credibility.
Garrote Larense is a fighting form combining open handed techniques, stick and knife fighting. But perhaps most notable is Garrote Larense’ machete techniques and defenses. Anyone who has been in some serious real life situations knows that defending against a machete attack is probably one of the most difficult and dangerous situations you can be in. A machete’s length and weight make it much more dangerous than a knife or bat, meaning that one strike can end your life or at least take off a limb.
Garrote Larense training can be easily recognized by it’s use of lemon wood sticks and cross shaped lines of movement. This is definitely no easy martial for those looking to practice some forms and get fancy colored belts. The masters of Garrote Larense firmly believe that pain is the best way to learn. If you make a mistake and get hit with the stick in class you will be twice as fast and wiser next time.
The lemon wood sticks are also used on combination with knives that are normally held in the back of the belt and used as a surprise last minute shank at close quarters. While there has been more information on Garrote Larense released lately it has mainly been a secretive fighting art. Masters of Garrote Larense where known for keeping their skills secret until the moment of a fight so that opponents could not be able to anticipate their moves.
As with some Filipino martial arts styles, Garrote Larense is also known for it’s effective hand switching techniques and ensuring students are able to use both hands equally well. This adds a unique twist to fights, giving the advantage by way of the element of surprise. However even though there is a lot of weapons training involved practitioners don’t believe in carrying weapons according to a quote by one instructor “I never carry a stick or a machete — my enemy does. I will use his.”
For being such a tiny country Korea has a seriously impressive list of martial arts, far more than most other large countries. It is true that they have 
been at war for almost their entire history and still today which must be one of the main reasons they have developed so many fighting styles. During various invasions it was illegal for them to practice many forms, though they were still handed down in secret. The Koreans have earned a reputation for fighting off significant attacks from larger better equipped armies – a trait they still clearly cling to today.
What is also amazing compared to other countries is that these martial arts use a wide range of styles from wrestling based styles to those like Taekwondo featuring acrobatic kicks where as other countries may be known for just one core type of fighting. And even more notable is that several of these Korean martial arts have spread across the globe and built up followings matching or surpassing any other one style. These martial arts involve incredibly well developed empty hand techniques as well as a huge range of weapons. In recent years there has also been a big revival of other Korean fighting arts including sword arts, knife fighting and archery.
The Korean martial arts are also well known for philosophy and moral codes. An example of the principals from one of these styles is as follows:
- Loyalty to one’s king.
- Respect to one’s parents.
- Faithfulness to one’s friends.
- Courage in battle.
- Justice in killing.
Still today there is much controversy over the origins of some of these martial arts, with the Japanese claiming the basics originated in Japan, while 
of the Koreans obviously claim the opposite is true. Regardless it is still an impressive list, check out the list according to Wikipedia:
Korean martial arts:
- Choi Kwang-Do
- Chung Suk Kuhapdo
- GongKwon Yusul
- Gwonbeop
- Gwon-gyokdo
- Gyongdang
- Haidong Gumdo
- Han Mu Do
- Hankido
- Hapkido
- Hoi Jeon Moo Sool
- Hwa Rang Do
- Kuk Sool Won
- Kumdo
- Kung Jung Mu Sul
- Muye24gi
- Shippalgi
- Ssireum
- Subak
- Sul Ki Do
- Taekkyeon
- Taekwondo
- Tang soo do
- Yusul
While Vietnamese martial arts may not be to most well known in the world they
vietnamese
have certainly be honed for use against overwhelming force of invading enemies with better weapons and massive forces and resources. Among it’s invasions Vietnam has been attacked by it’s giant neighbor China as well as being ruled for a time by France and of course there was the infamous Vietnam war involving the US. Some controlling forces like the French tried to outlaw practicing or training in martial arts in order to protect themselves from uprisings.
This led to training continuing in secret. The Vietnamese borrowed techniques from their neighbors and combined them to form of one of the first Mixed Martial Arts. The breakdown in factional fighting and guerrilla warfare lead by various warlords to various regions developing their own styles of Viet Vo Dao or Vo Thuat. The most important principals behind the development of these Vietnamese martial arts were:
- Predominance of close combat techniques
- Using flexibility against force
- The principle of taking the opponent by surprise
- The secret of illusion
- Methods of sidestep movements avoiding resistance
The various forms of Viet Vo Dao or Vo Thuat evolved into styles such as Vo Binh Dinh, Hung Ke Quyen as well as Vivodo, Nhan Da and Kieu Dung. These styles are known for their aerial and two legged flying kicks.
If you are ever lucky enough to get to visit Vietnam and see these martial arts in action, the local cuisine will give you an in site into the culture, though may require a tough stomach. Local delicacies include dog meat, coconut worm and whole frog. But the real treat is Snake Village near Hanoi. This area is home to many restaurant serving various forms of Cobra. These cobras are held in live tanks just like lobster tanks you have probably seen at home. Real men will opt to try a shot of Cobra blood wine. This is made by the waiter killing the Cobra at your table and draining the blood into your glass of rice wine – may be this will help you fight better – who knows?
Item of the week: Karate Gear
While Vietnamese martial arts may not be to most well known in the world they
vietnamese
have certainly be honed for use against overwhelming force of invading enemies with better weapons and massive forces and resources. Among it’s invasions Vietnam has been attacked by it’s giant neighbor China as well as being ruled for a time by France and of course there was the infamous Vietnam war involving the US. Some controlling forces like the French tried to outlaw practicing or training in martial arts in order to protect themselves from uprisings.
This led to training continuing in secret. The Vietnamese borrowed techniques from their neighbors and combined them to form of one of the first Mixed Martial Arts. The breakdown in factional fighting and guerrilla warfare lead by various warlords to various regions developing their own styles of Viet Vo Dao or Vo Thuat. The most important principals behind the development of these Vietnamese martial arts were:
- Predominance of close combat techniques
- Using flexibility against force
- The principle of taking the opponent by surprise
- The secret of illusion
- Methods of sidestep movements avoiding resistance
The various forms of Viet Vo Dao or Vo Thuat evolved into styles such as Vo Binh Dinh, Hung Ke Quyen as well as Vivodo, Nhan Da and Kieu Dung. These styles are known for their aerial and two legged flying kicks.
If you are ever lucky enough to get to visit Vietnam and see these martial arts in action, the local cuisine will give you an in site into the culture, though may require a tough stomach. Local delicacies include dog meat, coconut worm and whole frog. But the real treat is Snake Village near Hanoi. This area is home to many restaurant serving various forms of Cobra. These cobras are held in live tanks just like lobster tanks you have probably seen at home. Real men will opt to try a shot of Cobra blood wine. This is made by the waiter killing the Cobra at your table and draining the blood into your glass of rice wine – may be this will help you fight better – who knows?
Item of the week: Karate Gear
