Just last week at my kickboxing class, there had been a mix-up and the instructors thought I wanted to test for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I was very much confused after the uniform was given to me, and a few minutes later the issue was resolved. Later, when my dad asked me about the mix-up, I couldn’t help but wonder what was the difference between Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. After reading about the two individual sports, I was very surprised and wanted to learn more about the other types of martial arts as well.
Boxing:
- A combat sport that involves attacking and defense with the fists. Or more specifically, punching.
Kickboxing:
- Kickboxing is a group/mix of stand-up combat sports which is based on kicking and punching. It is developed from karate and is mixed with boxing.
Karate:
- Karate is a martial art that is mainly focused on self-defense and self-discipline. Instead of going on the offensive, learners are taught to control, deflect, and disable attacks. Karate in Japanese means, “open hand”.
Jiu-Jitsu:
- Meaning, “gentle art”, Jiu-Jitsu is focused on manipulating the opponent’s force against themselves. It is usually unarmed or with a minor weapon, and can be used in a defensive or offensive manner to kill or subdue opponents.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport based on ground-fighting and submission holds. It’s main focus is on the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground, controlling the opponent, gaining a dominant position, and using a number of techniques to forces them into submission.
Kung Fu:
- Kung Fu is actually used to define ANY skill, study, or discipline learned through Chinese martial arts. It can also “signify careful preparation for the performance of any skillful endeavor without any interference from the intellect of emotions.”
Taekwondo:
- Originating from Korea, Taekwondo is known as “the art of punching and kicking.” This martial art that attacks or defends with hands or feet and without any weapons. While physical training is important, Taekwondo has great significance in fostering the right mind through mental armament.
Comparing Closer:
Originating Country | Boxing | Kickboxing | Karate | Jiu-Jitsu | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Kung Fu | Taekwondo |
Japan | | X | X | X | | | |
China | | | | | | X | |
Korea | | | | | | | X |
Brazil | | | | | X | | |
Prehistoric | X | | | | | | |
Fighting Style | Boxing | Kickboxing | Karate | Jiu-Jitsu | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Kung Fu | Taekwondo |
Striking/ Stand-up | X | X | X | | | X | X |
Grappling/ ground-fighting | | | | | X | | |
Hybrid | | | | X | | | |
Despite both sounding similar in fighting, there is a very subtle difference between both sports. Karate, as I mentioned before is called “open hand” and focuses more on hand attacks. The legs are mostly grounded and kicks are mainly used as backup. Taekwondo on the other hand includes more kicking, jumping, and spinning. Hands are used as backups. Both sports, however, teach patience and discipline, and have a full-body workout.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ( BJJ) and Jiu-Jitsu:
Fighting styles aren’t the only difference between these
two sports. ( Or originating countries either.) These two sports are different in use. Jiu-Jitsu was originally developed for samurai, and is more suitable for real-life combat situations. BJJ instead is primarily used for sport with a focus on grappling. They both focus on self-defense, but Japanese Jiu-Jitsu requires strikes while BJJ does not. There also differences in belt systems, training, equipment, and rules.
Note: Despite that there are differences between the other sports as well, I felt like these two comparisons should be highlighted the most.
Kickboxing and Boxing:
Even though the difference between these two is easy to tell, I just wanted to give my opinion on them. For the past month or so I’ve been going to kickboxing classes abut 3 days every week. Each time I go I feel different. In a good way. It’s become something I enjoy and have fun with. Even though there are ties I suddenly feel anxious and might dread it, in the end I feel good. I think the bets part of kickboxing, for me, is the kicking. I love to kick. I just feel that it’s one of the best strengths I have and I definitely want to keep improving them each time I go. Boxing itself is also exciting, but it doesn’t give me full access to my legs, making me weak in that area. I would rather have some idea on how to use both my lower and upper body than just one half. That way I can be in the know about what to do if I get attacked, and also just be able to use my strength in all the ways possible.
In the end…
Even though I haven’t tried all these sports, I feel like kickboxing is the one for me. Once you start one, you’ll know which one suits you and you will immediately latch on. I’ve done some wrestling/BJJ in classes, and it doesn’t appeal to me like kickboxing does. Even if I am and might forever be dead-set on kickboxing, after reading about these different sports, I might try some of them out top see how it goes. Until then, I’ll work on getting better at kickboxing.
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