Throughout the years,ONE Championship has provided many athletes the opportunity to showcase their martial arts style to the world. This has also enabled them to share the values they’re learning through their practice (e.g., integrity, respect, honor, humility, discipline, courage, and compassion.). Through their practice, many students have been able to improve their lives. Here are a few of the styles seen in ONE Circle.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Practiced in various forms throughout the ancient world, this form has now evolved to include grappling and striking while both standing and lying on the ground. Currently, there are 11 ONE World titlists that use this style.
Judo
In 1882 Judo originated with Japanese polymath Kano Jigoro. He created this style to promote morality while also teaching both physical and mental well-being. Throughout the years, it’s evolved into an Olympic sport.
With Judo, you’ll learn a lot about throwing, pinning, choking, and taking down your opponent with things like joint locks. This is a style that’s been mastered by many Japanese superstars such as Shinya Aoki, Yushin “Thunder” Okami, Ken Hasegawa, Yoshihiro “Sexy Yama” Akiyama, and Ayaka Miura.
Karate
Early in the 20th century, karate made its way to Japan. It was then taught systematically there throughout the 1920s and 1930s. In 2016 it made its way into the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Karate started as an offshoot of the Ryukyuan martial art taking much of its influence from kung fu. Therefore, it includes a lot of punching, open-handed striking, elbowing, kicking, and kneeing. Some of its most notable names are Ramon Gonzales, AnatpongBunrad, and Alain “The Panther” Ngalani.
Kung Fu
This style has given birth to many other forms of martial arts throughout Asia. Originally, Kung Fu was created as a form of self-defense that was also used in hunting and, in China, for military training. It focuses on strikes, pressure point attacks, joint manipulation, and throws. You can see it being used by Alex “Little Rock” Silva, Adrian “The Hunter” Pang, and Enriko “The Hurricane” Kehl.
Muay Thai
Commonly referred to as “the national sport of Thailand,” this martial arts style dates back to the days of the Konbaung Dynasty in Siam. It didn’t become a sport until King Chulalongkorn turned it into one in the 19th century. Today it’s not only learned for competitions, but it’s also learned for self-defense and health reasons. It emphasizes punches, elbows, kicks, sweeps, knees, and clinch work. The three belts that are currently being contested in ONE Super Series are held by Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, and Stamp Fairtex.
Tae Kwon Do
Between the 1940s and 1950s, Taekwondo was developed in Korea by those who studied both Japanese and Chinese styles. It focuses mainly on kicking techniques (e.g., jumping kicks, head kicks, spinning kicks) and is seen by athletes like “Ottogi” Dae Hwan Kim, Regian “The Immortal” Eersel, and “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (a.k.a., “BJJ”)
This form was developed as an offshoot of judo, thanks to student Mitsuyo Maeda’s trip to Brazil in 1914. Here he taught BJJ techniques to Carlos Gracie. It’s Garcie’s smaller, less athletic brother Helio Gracie that receives the credit for transforming this style into what we now have today.
In the 1980s and 1990s, it became quite popular. While there are stand-up elements to it, most of its leverage and techniques take place on the ground. Her opponents are overtaken with chokes and joint locks. Today you can see it being used by people like Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes, “Unstoppable” Angela Lee, and Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes.
There are many forms of martial arts that you may choose to practice. For information about these and how to get started, contact us at Elevate Martial Arts in Tampa, FL, today.