Kickboxing

Kickboxing can be described as a generic term for a sporting martial art that, while similar to boxing, uses feet as well as hands for fighting.

History

Kickboxing, as a deriviative of Muay Thai, Karate as well as other styles, was created to compete effectively against these martial arts. The initial development of the styles (as well as the name) was in Japan. However there were also similar influences taking hold in the United States, and martial artists from many disciplines toured both areas allowing the development of a common kickboxing standard.

Related Topics:
Muay Thai - Karate

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Initial Japanese development

Kickboxing (as a specific martial art) has its roots in Muay Thai, Savate and Karate. It was developed as a competitive sport by Japanese boxing promotor Osamu Noguchi. He wanted to introduce the Muay Thai style of fighting that he had seen in Thailand. Muay Thai fighters were taken to Japan in 1966, and help develop a combined martial art which Noguchi named kick-boxing. The Kickboxing Association was founded in Japan soon after this. The sport has spread through North America and Europe.

Related Topics:
Muay Thai - Savate - Karate - Japan - Osamu Noguchi - Thailand - 1966 - North America - Europe

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The first famous Japanese kickboxer was the karate fighter Tadashi Sawamura.

Related Topics:
Japan - Tadashi Sawamura

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