| The last 10 years or so, there has been a new | | | | as the other sports. |
| martial art that has made a lasting impression on | | | | Nunchaku kumite, or sparring, involves participants |
| the European community. It is called nunchaku-do | | | | who wear protective helmets with a face cage or |
| or loosely translated "the way of the nunchaku." | | | | a plexiglass visor covering the face. Each player |
| The nunchaku is a martial arts weapon that | | | | wields a foam padded safety nunchaku that is |
| consists of two sticks connected at their ends | | | | lightweight so that the centripetal force of a |
| with a short chain or rope. Nunchaku-do, though | | | | speeding nunchaku handle does not cause too |
| not popular yet in the U.S., has been growing at a | | | | much damage to his opponent. |
| steady pace in Europe. | | | | In order to score in this method of combat, a |
| Ever since the days that Bruce Lee flashed this | | | | player must perform a twirling technique before |
| elegant weapon on the big screen, the nunchaku | | | | striking his opponent. Failure to do so and then |
| has achieved celebrity status among its | | | | striking will not earn him any points. |
| practitioners and developed a loyal following | | | | There are other variations of nunchaku sparring in |
| among non-martial arts students. There are | | | | which no twirling technique is required before |
| schools of nunchaku-do all over Europe that teach | | | | striking your opponent. This is called freestyle |
| this Okinawan weapon. As of this writing, there is | | | | nunchaku sparring. This is similar to Bruce Lee and |
| only one school of nunchaku-do in the U.S. | | | | Danny Inosanto's fight seen in the movie classic |
| Some of its aspects include kata, which is the | | | | Game of Death. |
| practice of forms fighting against imaginary | | | | I have had the privilege to try out this sport with |
| opponents, and sparring. Sparring is one of my | | | | great fun and enjoyment using the ActionFlex |
| favorites. | | | | safety nunchaku. Nunchaku sparring is no different |
| Being a big fan of combat sports such as | | | | than boxing in that anything goes when it comes |
| professional wrestling, UFC fighting, boxing, muay | | | | to ring fighting. |
| thai, and kickboxing, I have found nunchaku | | | | Like boxing, nunchaku sparring is great exercise |
| kumite to be just as dynamic and unpredictable | | | | that will test your speed and agility in ring combat. |