Karate boxing or taekwondo, which is better? Find out the pros and cons of martial arts: karate, boxing or taekwondo, and what to choose for training at home. Although there are many more martial arts, the question often arises – who is better than karate, boxing, or taekwondo? Today we will not only pay attention to the three mentioned above but also to some that are also popular. But to start with, I would like to take a short tour of the history of taekwondo and karate. We are sure that this information will be helpful to many.
Table of Contents
Origins of karate
“karate” in America can be translated as “way of empty hands.” From this, we can conclude that the technology of this martial art assumes the ability to wrestle without using weapons. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the island of Okinawa was an independent state and was not part of Japan. The locals considered them a sovereign nation and carefully preserved the secrets of martial arts from generation to generation.
After the unification of the Land of the Rising Sun, karate spread rapidly throughout the country. Many people from the island of Okinawa showed good fitness. They were significantly better in this indication than representatives of other areas in Japan after being drafted into the army. It soon became known that the reason lies in the knowledge of karate.
Many styles have emerged in the twentieth century. Several international organizations have been formed that unite the most famous fans. Their tournaments are held under the auspices of these international organizations.
However, despite a lot of styles, they all have standard features:
- A strong and sharp blow with lower limbs, delivered at high speed.
- The advantage is given to short, precise attacks rather than rough. More damage to your opponent can result from a sharp blow to a painful point.
- The opponent’s attacks are blocked with both hands and feet.
- Striking techniques are most often used, although there are throws in the arsenal of karatekas.
Note that due to the high mobility of the opponents, the duel between them looks exciting.
Taekwondo saga
This type of martial art originated in Korea and is relatively young. The history of taekwondo only begins in the last century. Translated from Korean, the name of martial arts sounds like “the way of legs and arms.” Elements of various oriental martial arts are synchronized in taekwondo.
The martial art became famous in the world thanks to the general of the Korean army Choi Hong Lee, who decided to make taekwondo training compulsory in the military. Soon after, I established my first contact with the new sport. It happened at home in 1959. If in karate the main emphasis is on striking, then in taekwondo, the lower limbs are used more actively.
If we try to describe this type of martial arts in a few sentences, we get the following:
- Sweeping kicks dominate the movement.
- There is no throwing method, and fighting is rarely done over short distances.
- Although there are blows in the arsenal of fighters, they are seldom carried out.
- The enemy’s attacks are blocked, and various simultaneous counterattack moves are also actively used.
If you watch a duel between two fighters, their high activity level is immediately apparent. Opponents move a lot and exchange powerful kicks, both from standing and running or jumping positions.
Which is better – karate, boxing or taekwondo: a comparison of disciplines
So we come to the central question of our article, which is better than karate, boxing, or taekwondo. The answer is not as easy as it may seem. Each martial art has many fans, and they are all sure that it is their art that is the best. We will try to be as objective as possible and consider the existing differences. The choice is yours.
Karate and taekwondo – which is better?
First, the difference in striking technique is striking. If karate fighters often use close combat and prefer strikes, the situation is reversed in taekwondo. It is not entirely correct to judge a martial art by its success in street fighting, but karate should be preferred in this case.
Suppose you have to resist intruders. The advantage of short, accurate, offensive hand sweeps is obvious. We also draw your attention to the fact that the defense system is more effective in karate. It’s not so evident in the ring, but one can appreciate it quickly in street fighting.
However, it would help if you remembered that all martial arts are not only focused on training the body but on developing the spirit. It is especially evident in Wushu, which we will also discuss today.
Boxing or kickboxing: which is better?
Kickboxing is a new form of martial arts. It has incorporated all the best from karate, muay Thai and other martial arts. Unlike classic boxing, kickboxing is allowed to use the feet. Boxing, on the other hand, is a traditional sport, the rules of which were formulated a long time ago. Also, note that the boxer must master movement techniques. Many believe that if kicks are banned, they are excluded from work. Just watch the fights of the great boxing champions, and everything will become clear.
Boxing and karate: which is better?
There are specific differences between these martial arts but also commonalities. First, karate is a fundamental philosophical doctrine with a long history. Of course, not everyone starts playing this sport precisely to know their mental abilities. Boxing, in this sense, seems to be a more monotonous martial art, which, however, is also not devoid of a spiritual element.
Between these sports, the methods of training fighters are standard. Of course, there are differences, but there are many similarities. The main difference, in our opinion, is the use of karatekas on the feet. In a street fight, both martial arts can be very effective.
Thai vs. classic boxing: which is better?
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, originates in the ancient martial art of Thailand – Muay Boran. Fighters get to kick and punch here, but knee attacks are the most popular. Training in these sports has a lot in common. Note that today Muay Thai is considered one of the most violent sports.
We tried to tell you what is better than karate, boxing, or taekwondo. However, we cannot ignore other martial arts. In the next chapter, we will discuss some of them in more detail. After that, you have to make a decision. You can always change the section if you don’t like this or that martial art.
Wushu: what is it?
Wushu is also often called kung fu, and this martial art has deep philosophical roots. It must acknowledge that today many people ignore spiritual perfection and choose only the physical aspect. The history of Wushu dates back more than 20 centuries.
Suppose, for most foreigners. It is the only martial art in the Middle East. In that case, the emphasis is primarily on the human education system. According to official figures, more than 80 percent of all Chinese people learned wushu skills and reading and writing skills while attending wushu schools.
As a rule, exercises in Wushu are performed slowly, and from the side, they resemble a dance. But should perform the braids at high speed, allowing you to demonstrate your body’s capabilities entirely. Note that all forms of kung fu have both combat and healing purposes. You can start practicing this ancient art at any age, regardless of gender or body type.
With the same exercises, one can solve different problems. It makes Wushu a versatile art that you learn to protect yourself and improve your physical condition. I should say a few words about why this type of martial art has several names.
The thing is, outside of the Celestial Empire, it became known thanks to numerous Chinese emigrants. From their “light hand” first appeared the term gongfu, which later changed to kung fu. For a long time, this word was not traditional Chinese fighting skill but various ways of conducting a duel under a particular system. For example, the system created by Bruce Lee is also called kung fu.
Someone probably remembers these legends about “death links” or “energy strikes” administered by kung fu followers. All this came to us from the cinema. However, it is now known that not a single technique of Wushu has the sole purpose of causing harm to another person. We repeat once again that Wushu allows you, first of all, to heal yourself and improve yourself spiritually. Should consider combat skills a bonus only.
Many people today seek to lose weight. Many girls use various forms of exercise for this purpose. Chinese doctors have shown that similar training in Wushu can burn more calories than popular aerobics.
Jiu-jitsu: what is it?
In America, the name of these ancient martial arts can be translated as “soft art.” In recent decades, it has been improved, and many aspects have shifted to aikido, sambo, judo, and karate. One legend says that Okayama Shirobei (this man is considered one of the founders of jujitsu) once drew attention to a thin branch that was covered in snow.
Then she straightened up, and the snow fell. But the thick branch was unlucky and broke. That is why Shirobei said that humility will always overcome evil. The basis of jiu-jitsu is the throwing method and the effect on the teams. In addition, strikes are often used, but their task is to bring imbalances into balance and then apply painful fastening.
At first glance, jiu-jitsu is similar to judo – almost the same positions, steps, and throws. But in these sports, victory is awarded for various achievements. Also, note that judo borrowed many methods from jujitsu when it was created.
That was all we wanted to tell you today. You need to make the right choice based on the information received.