As the first karate club formed in the United States, the Karate Federation International was formed in 1954. Today, there are more than 1,100 associations, clubs, schools, and dojos that are part of the organization.
I believe most of us have some sort of mental image of Karate. If we are familiar with it, we probably think of a martial art and maybe even associate it with a type of fighting. But what do we really know about it? How does it compare to other martial arts?
It’s easy to think of martial arts as nothing more than a violent art form or some kind of bizarre spectator sport—which is why it’s important to look at them through the lens of their history, philosophy and culture.
Some people love the discipline, practice and feeling of being part of a group that shares an interest or skill, but others are more interested in the physical and mental benefits.
Is Karate a Sport?
Karate is not only a popular martial art but is also a great way to build fitness, confidence, and discipline. But how much do you know about Karate?
There’s no denying that the sport of karate is gaining traction worldwide, especially with the introduction of the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. This year, more than 40 000 athletes from 38 different countries have registered to participate in the event. But does karate qualify as a “sport” under international sporting guidelines? We’ll explore the question by examining both the traditional and contemporary definitions of sport.
What if I told you that martial arts could literally save your life? Imagine going to work every day knowing that you could defend yourself and your family from harm. What if I told you that you don’t need to spend $10,000 per year in gym fees or take up valuable gym time to learn how to effectively use force to protect yourself and others? You can learn everything you need to know about self defense in your own home or office without having to pay someone to teach you how to kickbox or do taekwondo. It’s all true and available for free. Now, what if I told you that you could take control of your life and your health for less than the price of a cup of coffee per week? All that’s true and available for free too. Here’s what you need to do to make it happen: