The Top 6 Martial Arts (2023)
There are many different martial arts out there, and each one has its own unique benefits. In this blog post, we will take a look at the top 6 martial arts for 2023.
We will discuss what makes these martial arts so popular, and why you might want to consider learning them yourself!
Introduction: The Importance of Martial Arts
Before falling into the top 6 martial arts of 2023, it’s important to understand why martial arts are so effective and popular in the first place.
After all, there are many different ways to defend yourself, and not all of them involve physical violence.
So, what is it about martial arts that makes them such an effective form of self-defense?
There are several key factors that make martial arts an effective form of self-defense.
First and foremost, martial arts emphasize the use of proper technique over brute force.
This means that even if you are not the strongest or most physically imposing person, you can still defend yourself effectively using martial arts techniques.
Another key factor that makes martial arts an effective form of self-defense is the focus on mental and emotional conditioning.
In order to be successful in a physical fight, you need to be able to control your emotions and stay calm under pressure.
Martial arts training can help you develop these important skills.
TOP 6 MARTIAL ARTS
MMA
MMA is the world’s third most popular sport, behind soccer and basketball. There are 451 million people interested in MMA, according to Nielsen Sports DNA.
Mixed Martial Arts is a form of combat sport that combines various techniques from different martial arts disciplines.
It is the most popular martial art in the world today and is increasingly becoming more mainstream thanks to the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) that is doing an amazing job at promoting the sport.
Many people consider MMA a street fight more than a sport, but it is not true. Looking at the UFC matches, you may find that it is more technical than you might expect.
MMA fights not only determine which athlete is stronger, but also which fighting style is the best.
For example: if a fighter specialized in Karate beats a fighter specialized in Taekwondo will be seen as the most important martial art.
However, if a BJJ fighter (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) beats a Karate fighter, people will see BJJ as the most important martial art, as the BJJ fighter was able to take down and submit the Karate fighter.
Karate
Karate is one of the most popular martial arts in the world, with its origins dating back to ancient Japan.
Karate is a striking art, meaning it emphasizes the use of punches and kicks.
The word “Karate-Do” itself comes from two Japanese words: ‘karate’ meaning “empty hand” and ‘do’ meaning “the way.”
Karate was developed as a means of self-defense for samurai warriors who were not allowed to carry weapons.
It was created by combining two older styles of fighting: te (hand) and ta (body). As time went on, karate became more than just self-defense; it also became an art form that included kata (forms), sparring, and kumite
Karate is a well-known martial art because It has been featured in many movies and TV shows over the years, and is often considered one of the “coolest” martial arts to learn.
World Karate Federation (WKF) claims there are 100 million practitioners around the world, yes.. practitioners!!
Just try to imagine how many non-practitioners, but still interested, there may be!
Are you interested to know what are the benefits of karate? We wrote an article about it, click here: What Are The Benefits Of Karate?
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that is characterized by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques.
It has its origins in the traditional Korean martial arts of taekkyeon (택견) and subak (수박).
Taekwondo gradually developed over the course of the 20th century through a number of influences from other styles such as karate (via Japan), tae kyon (태극), indigenous Korean wrestling, judo and modern kickboxing.
It is a really loved and admired martial art for the use of its spectacular flying kicks that manage to amaze the public every time.
Over 70 million people practice Taekwondo all over the world.
Judo
Judo is a martial art that focuses on throwing and grappling techniques. It was developed in Japan in the late nineteenth century and has been an Olympic sport since 1964.
Judo fighters wear a judogi, which is similar to a karate gi but more form-fitting to allow greater freedom of movement.
The judogi also features less padding, which allows for more focus on throws rather than strikes.
According to International Judo Federation (IJF) Judo has more than 50,000,000 players around the world!
Kung Fu
Kung Fu is a Chinese martial art that focuses on striking techniques, such as punches and kicks.
It is an excellent choice for those looking to learn self-defense, as it can be very effective in close quarters combat.
Kung Fu has a long history, and its origins can be traced back in China where was developed over the centuries by Buddhist monks, Shaolin priests, and Taoist philosophers as they sought to find the most effective way to protect themselves from bandits.
Kung Fu, as we previously said, was originally developed for self-defense, but it has evolved into much more than that.
Today, Kung Fu is considered an art form, and practitioners strive to perfect their techniques and choreography.
There are estimated to be over 40 million practitioners all over the world!
Wrestling
Wrestling is a martial art that focuses on grappling and groundfighting techniques.
It is one of the oldest martial arts in the world, with its origins dating back to ancient Greece.
There are two main types of wrestling: Greco-Roman and freestyle.
Greco-Roman is the older style of wrestling, and it focuses on throws and takedowns that keep the opponents’ arms locked.
Freestyle wrestling is more modern, and it allows for a wider range of techniques, including leg locks and submissions.
Wrestling is an excellent martial art for those looking to learn self-defense, as it teaches how to control and subdue an opponent using leverage and body positioning.
It is also a great workout, as it requires a great deal of strength and stamina.
Over 35 million practitioners are estimated to be worldwide.
Our Opinion
As you may have seen, MMA is the most popular martial art in the world and the third among all sports, but let’s think about that.
– Is it violent?
Yes.
– Does it incite violence?
Probably yes.
– Is it becoming more a sport than a martial art?
Of course yes, just like other martial arts are doing.
– Does it help to make martial arts more famous?
Obviously yes, and this is the most important thing we would also like to focus on.
Mostly in Europe and United States, martial arts have not the right visibility they should have and this leads the youngest people to avoid them since they are considered less important than other sports.
And then.. let’s think all together to another thing.
MMA is the mix of all the existings martial arts all over the world so it’s as if you add up the judo fans + karate fans + taekwondo fans + wrestling fans and so on!
Considering these two factors, we think that the awareness around the MMA is well-deserved.
Summary
MMA, Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, Kung Fu, Wrestling, each of the martial arts has its own unique benefits that make it a great choice for those looking to learn self-defense or improve their fighting skills.
What are you waiting for? Just make your choice 😀
