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Kickboxing is a sporting martial art very
similar to boxing, except for the fact that it
uses both arms and legs for striking. It can be
practiced either as a full-contact combat sport or
for general fitness. While the term refers to
various forms of combat sports, it is generally
associated with Japanese and American kickboxing.
The term was introduced by Osamu Noguchi, a
Japanase boxing promoter.
The History of Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a derivative of karate, boxing,
taekwondo and other combat styles and it was
created to compete against them. All styles of
kickboxing have been first developed in Japan.
However, similar influences were taking place in
the United States as well and martial artists from
toured both Japan and US, developing a common
kickboxing standard.
Initial Japanese Development
As a specific form of martial art, kickboxing was
inspired from Muay Thai, a combat sport originated
in Thailand. Osamu Noguchi, a Japanese boxing
promoter, developed it as a competitive style to
oppose Muay Thai. He wanted to present to the
Japanese people the fighting style that he had
discovered in Thailand and in 1966 he took three
Muay Thai fighters to compete against Japanese
karate fighters. The Japanese won by 2-1. Noguchi
and Kenji Kurosaki studied the combat style
thoroughly and developed a combined martial art
called kickboxing. At first, throwing and butting
were allowed in order to distinguish it from the
Muay Thai style. However, they were later
eliminated.
A few years later, the Kickboxing Association, the
first kickboxing organization, was founded in
Japan. Kickboxing was broadcast on TV and became
very popular in Japan. Back then, Tadashi Sawamura
was an extremely popular kickboxer. After he
retired, kickboxing started to lose its popularity
and stopped being broadcast on TV. He hadn't been
on TV until 1993, when K-1 was founded. In 1993,
Kazuyoshi Ishii, who was the founder of Seidokan
karate, produced K-1 under kickboxing rules (no
elbow or neck wrestling). Since then, kickboxing
started to regain its popularity and became famous
again. Soon it's popularity started spreading
through North America and Europe as well.
Spreading to North America and Europe
Jan Plas, a Dutch kickboxer, and a few Muay Thai
pioneers, initiated Mejiro jym in Netherlands in
1978. He had learned kick boxing in Japan from the
famous Kenji Kurosaki. In addition, he was also
the one that founded the Dutch Kickboxing
Association (NKBB) in 1978, which was the first
kickboxing organization in the Netherlands.
Kickboxing & Fitness
Kickboxing has gradually become a fitness craze as
well. Kickboxing classes are very popular in
European countries also. They are attended by both
men and women. It has become very popular among
women of all ages who are always looking for new
methods to lose weight or stay in shape.
As you walk by a kickboxing class, you will see
that most times it is packed. It seems that all
you have to bring is yourself and plenty of
energy. Kickboxing classes are generally
coregraphed to house or techno music. The whole
class consists of a full hour of punching to the
beat. It involves a lot of arm movements, squats,
power movements and a good amount of
cardiovascular workout. This is what explains its
high popularity as a fitness activity. With all
the fun, you even forget about the fact that you
are actually working out.
About The Author...
Sue Taylor is the webmaster of a site dedicated to
kickboxing. For more information, refer to
www.kickboxingnews.info
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