| Asia is probably one of the first things that come | | | | opponent is often not the focus in many martial |
| to mind when most people think of martial arts. | | | | arts styles. In some cases, strength is disregarded |
| That makes perfect sense, because this was | | | | completely. |
| where many of the most famous and popular | | | | On the other hand, strength is important in many |
| fighting arts were born. | | | | Greek fighting techniques. Good examples including |
| From Judo to Jiu Jitsu, Karate to Taekwondo, the | | | | striking and grappling techniques. |
| list of hand-to-hand combat and fighting styles | | | | Even the name of the Greek fighting style refers |
| that came from Asia seem endless. | | | | to strength. Pankration is formed from two |
| But did you know that it is possibly Greece and | | | | Greek words: "Pan" refers to "all," "kratos" refers |
| not Asia that created one of the oldest martial | | | | to "force" or "strength." |
| arts in the world? This fighting style is known as | | | | Today, a modified versions of Pankration are |
| Pankration. Not only did it influence many fighting | | | | being practiced. In some cases it's more like |
| styles around the world, it is still being used by | | | | kickboxing hybrid and less like the fighting art that |
| fighting enthusiast to this day. | | | | was used in ancient Greece. |
| You'll find that much of the world's best | | | | There are also fighting styles that use a mixture |
| hand-to-hand combat and fighting styles are very | | | | of martial art techniques. Actually, many of these |
| similar to the Greek fighting techniques. In fact, | | | | mixed martial arts come from Greek fighting |
| the Greek techniques often rival the others! | | | | techniques from the early days of Pankration. |
| Boxing, striking, kicking, and wrestling are common | | | | Even so, the Greek martial art still survives in |
| fighting techniques that Pankration shares with | | | | some form when the techniques are adopted by |
| plenty of other fighting styles. Pankration also first | | | | newer martial arts. Many people are making |
| brought joint locking, pressure points, and other | | | | efforts to make Pankration part of the Olympic |
| techniques into widespread use. | | | | games again. |
| The use of physical strength when fighting an | | | | |