| Martial arts are always in the trend and the term | | | | introduced wrestling, fencing, archery, and Javelin, |
| originates from central Europe. There are | | | | and all these are part of the Olympics Games. |
| different forms of martial arts, all with the main | | | | Each martial art has its own style and character. |
| objective of defending one-self from attacks. | | | | Some may require strong physical and attacks, |
| Some martial arts are based on religious beliefs, | | | | while some are softer in terms of energy use. |
| such as Buddhism and Shinto. Apart from Asian | | | | Tae Kwon Do is one that requires high physical |
| culture, martial arts are also part of the western | | | | strength and stamina as it involves high energy |
| culture for instance Europe and America. These | | | | kicks and hard styles. Tai Chi Chuan is suitable |
| include sword fencing and wrestling. In the past | | | | even for the elderly, as it is graceful and focuses |
| and present, martial arts are being contested and | | | | on calmness and tranquility. Some may utilize |
| are included in world sports such as the Olympics. | | | | weapons such as in sword fighting. Apart from |
| Martial arts were established for thousands of | | | | these, there are martial arts that incorporate |
| years, although currently the pioneer is still | | | | dance and aerobics in them, an example being |
| unknown. It was thought that in Asia, the Buddhist | | | | Capoeira which is a Brazilian art. |
| and Hindu started the trend long time ago. It is a | | | | Martial arts can be divided into categories based |
| speculation that the Asian martial arts are a blend | | | | on their styles. Weaponry includes fencing, Kendo, |
| of the two. Early writings have shown that martial | | | | Kali and Jukendo. As the name implies all these are |
| strategy and philosophy were developed during | | | | weapon-arts. Judo, Aikido, Jujutsu, Wrestling and |
| the Warring period of the Chinese. The Asian | | | | Sambo are examples of grappling martial arts. All |
| style has a master-student relationship, where | | | | these tackle the opponent with the use of |
| students are trained in a hierarchy way by a | | | | different grappling holds, choke holds and counters |
| master. | | | | to attacks by the opponent. The fighters use |
| In Europe, boxing is part of the Ancient Olympic | | | | throwing, pinning the opponents or joint locks to |
| Games. The old Greece has integrated sports into | | | | control the opponents. Boxing, Kung Fu, karate, |
| their life, making sports part of it. Extensive | | | | Capoeira, Tae Kwon Do and Wing Chun are |
| reconstruction is being carried out to bring back | | | | examples of striking martial arts. All these |
| the ancient martial arts in the Europe, for example | | | | incorporate punching, kicking or knees in their |
| sword and shield, jousting, halberd fighting and | | | | styles of fighting. |
| sword-fighting. All these are known as Western | | | | Different people have different views of martial |
| martial arts. The reconstruction groups are | | | | arts. Some practiced for health reasons, while |
| working based on survival of manuscripts and | | | | others may do so for their own interest or as a |
| manuals from the past. However, the introduction | | | | hobby to fill free times.. The East are learning the |
| of firearms and the easiness of using one has | | | | Westerns culture, and vice versa. Furthermore, |
| affected the popularity of martial arts in Europe. | | | | some may learn martial arts to protect |
| A mixture of bow, knife, lance and tomahawk is a | | | | themselves from the danger of our society. No |
| characteristic of Okichitaw, which is a martial art in | | | | matter what the reasons are, martial arts are a |
| America. Another popular style, the Capoeira | | | | global interest and it is still being practiced |
| originates from Brazil and incorporates high degree | | | | throughout the world. |
| of endurance and flexibility. The modern America | | | | |