Combat Sports

Taekwondo Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and combat sport known for its emphasis on high, fast kicks and jumping and spinning kicks. The name “taekwondo” translates to “the way of the foot and fist,” reflecting its focus on both striking techniques and self-defense. It combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, and in some cases, meditation and philosophy. Taekwondo is practiced globally and is divided into two main styles: ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) and WT (World Taekwondo, formerly WTF) , with WT being the style featured in the Olympics. Wrestling Wrestling is one of the oldest and most universal combat sports, involving grappling techniques such as clinching, takedowns, throws, pins, and submissions. It is practiced in various styles worldwide, with the most prominent being freestyle wrestling , Greco-Roman wrestling , and folkstyle wrestling . Wrestling competitions typically involve two opponents trying to gain control over each other, with the goal of pinning the opponent’s shoulders to the mat or scoring points through maneuvers. Boxing Boxing is a combat sport in which two participants, typically wearing protective gloves, throw punches at each other within a roped-off square ring. The objective is to land punches on the opponent while avoiding their strikes. Matches are divided into rounds, usually lasting 2-3 minutes each, with a set number of rounds (commonly 10 or 12 in professional bouts). A fight can end in several ways: MMA Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that combines techniques from various martial arts disciplines, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, judo, karate, and more. Fighters compete in a controlled environment, typically an octagonal cage or ring, using strikes (punches, kicks, elbows, knees) and grappling techniques (submissions, takedowns, ground control) to defeat their opponents. Matches can end via knockout, submission, judges’ decision, or referee stoppage. Judo Judo is a modern martial art and combat sport that originated in Japan in the late 19th century, founded by Jigoro Kano . The word “judo” means “the gentle way,” emphasizing the principle of using an opponent’s strength and momentum against them. Judo techniques include throws (nage-waza), grappling (katame-waza), pins (osaekomi-waza), joint locks (kansetsu-waza), and chokeholds (shime-waza). It is practiced both as a competitive sport and a form of physical and mental discipline. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Muay Thai Karate Kickboxing Fencing