Combat Sports
Why do women not compete in sports that men are predominant in?
Well, here is why :
There is something for everyone in my blogs!
My Blogs are a 10 to 20 minute read
What is a Combat Sport?
A combat sport, or fighting sport, is a competitive contact sport that usually involves one-on-one combat. In many combat sports, a contestant wins by scoring more points than the opponent or by disabling the opponent. Common combat sports include mixed martial arts, boxing, wrestling, judo, fencing, savate, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Sanda, Tae Kwon Do, Capoeira, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, HMB, Sambo, Sumo, Kyokushin, and Kūdō.
Combat athletes usually fight one-on-one. Different sports involve different skill sets and moves. For example, boxing only allows punches, taekwondo largely involves kicks, and both Muay Thai and Burmese boxing allow the use of elbows and knees. There are also combat sports based on grappling, such as both freestyle and collegiate wrestling. Modern MMA is similar to the ancient Greek Olympic sport of pankration; both allow a wide range of both striking and grappling techniques.
Some combat sports involve the use of weapons and armour, such as fencing, kendo, and the new sport SCA Heavy Combat; In Gatka and Modern Arnis, sticks are used.
The techniques used can be categorized into three domains: striking, grappling, and weapon usage, with some hybrid rule, sets combining striking and grappling. In combat sports, the use of these various techniques is highly regulated to minimize permanent or severe physical damage to each participant through means of organized officiating by single or multiple referees that can distribute penalties or interrupt the actions of the competitors during the competition. In weapon-based sports, the weapons used are made to be non-lethal by means of modifying the striking portions of the weapon and requiring participants to wear protective clothing/armour.
The Various Combat Sports – Part 1
Here is a list of all the various combat sports I can find, with a brief introduction and a Youtube video:
- Aba Guresi
Is a kind of wrestling that is performed while wearing clothes made of felt
- Angampora
Is a form of martial art from Sri Lanka that combines combat techniques, self-defence, sport, exercise, and meditation. A key component of angampora is the namesake angam, which incorporates hand-to-hand fighting, and illangam, involving the use of indigenous weapons such as the ethunu kaduwa, staves, knives and swords.
- Adi Murai
A Tamil martial art which is regarded as one of the oldest and most important martial arts to have been practised in the present-day Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the Northern Province of Sri Lanka). The name is a portmanteau in the Tamil language where adi means “to hit or strike” and Murai means method or procedure. It is the origin of certain martial arts techniques
- Aikido
The Japanese martial art of Aikido is a comprehensive system of throwing, joint-locking, striking and pinning techniques, coupled with training in traditional Japanese weapons such as the sword, staff and knife.
- Arnis
Arnis is the national martial art sport of the Philippines. It is also known as Eskrima and Kali. This sport actually emphasizes weapon-based fighting which is done using knives, bladed weapons, sticks and various improvised weapons. It also includes hand-to-hand combat, grappling and weapon-disarming methods.
- Asian Indian Wrestling
This is simply wrestling with a twist of diversity from the standard form of wrestling from Asia and India
- Atemi Jutsu
Atemi-Jujitsu covers to cover all the ranges of combat; from long-range kicking and punching, to close-contact grappling and ground fighting. Atemi-Jujitsu specialises in defending when out-numbered and out-armed. Atemi-Jujitsu focuses on disabling the aggressor with attacks to his vital points (organs, nerves, vessels, and meridian points), before using breaking, throwing, choking or holding techniques.
- American Kenpo
American Kenpo, pronounced KeNpo), also known as Kenpo Karate, is an updated system of martial arts based on modern-day street fighting that applies logic and practicality. It is characterized by the use of quick and powerful strikes delivered from all of the body’s natural weapons, powered by rapid stance transitions, called “shifting.”
https://youtu.be/Ys08d90aLDE
- Baguazhang
Baguazhang is considered to be the most circular and spiralling system of Chinese martial arts (kungfu). Its defining characteristic is constant movement and change, and the ability to fight while being on the move. Where most martial arts engage with an opponent in a head-on fixed position, a bagua fighter can attack or defend while walking and changing direction constantly
- Bando
Bando is an ancient Burmese martial art technique that draws a great deal of influence from Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese styles. Many people know it by the name Bando thaing, a term which has a wide range of meanings under translation. However, Bando thaing generally includes self-development, self-protection, and self-defence.
- Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves, throw punches at each other for a predetermined amount of time in a boxing ring. Boxing is overseen by a referee over a series of one- to three-minute intervals called rounds.
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting and submission holds. It focuses on the skill of controlling one’s opponent, gaining a dominant position and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks or chokeholds.
- Bujutsu
The term Bujutsu is often used when directly referring to martial arts in a real-world on a battlefield. “Bu” translates to warrior, military, chivalry or arms. “Jutsu” translates to art, technique, skill, means, trick and resources or magic.
- Bali Khela
Is a traditional form of wrestling in Bangladesh, particularly popular in the Chittagong area and considered as a national game of the district. It is a form of combat sport involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds.
- Bajan stick licking
Bajan stick licking (often spelt stick-licking) is the traditional form of stick fighting in Barbados. It is a stick fighting martial art that has its roots in Africa, where two participants used fire-hardened wooden sticks, varying in length as weapons and carried out fighting techniques
- Banshay
Is a weapon-based martial art from Myanmar focusing primarily on the sword, staff and spear. Influenced by both Indian and Chinese sources.
- Bōjutsu, translated from Japanese as “staff technique”, is the martial art of using a staff weapon called bō which simply means “staff”.Staffs have been in use for thousands of years in East Asian martial arts like Silambam. Some techniques involve slashing, swinging, and stabbing with the staff. Others involve using the staff as a vaulting pole or as a prop for hand-to-hand strikes.
- Butthan, meaning (“Defense with distinction and awakening”) is a Bangladeshi martial art and combat sport. It is a system of self-defence and personal development rooted in South Asian Butthan and has been developed by Mak Yuree, an internationally acclaimed Grandmaster. It has been described as the ‘noble art of stopping-fight and enlightenment that produces physical, mental and spiritual balance.
- Bokator, or more formally, L’bokator is a Khmer martial art that includes weapons techniques. One of the oldest existing fighting systems in Cambodia, oral tradition indicates that bokator or an early form thereof was the close-quarter combat system used by the armies before Angkor 1,700 years ago.
- Buno, usually uses standing throws, control locks, joint manipulation, striking, take-downs and ground wrestling techniques,
There is also an armed style of Buno. Weapons that the practitioner can use are knives, spears and bow and arrows.
Belt wrestling is a form of wrestling that is one of the oldest historically recorded sports. It involves two belted contestants aiming to take each other over by grappling with a belt.
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle, prizefighting, fist fight or fisticuffs) is the original form of boxing, closely related to ancient combat sports. It involves two individuals fighting without boxing gloves or another padding on their hands.
- Bartitsuis an eclectic martial art and self-defence method originally developed in England during the years 1898–1902, combining elements of boxing, jujitsu, cane fighting, and French kickboxing (savate)
- Battle royal traditionally refers to a fight involving many combatants that is fought until only one fighter remains standing, usually conducted under either boxing or wrestling In recent times, the term has been used in a more general sense to refer to any fight involving large numbers of people who are not organized into factions. Within combat sports and professional wrestling, the term has a specific meaning, depending on the sports being discussed.
- Cheena di is a Chinese-derived martial art from Sri Lanka. According to folklore, it was first brought to Sri Lanka 1600 years ago by Shaolin monks on a pilgrimage to the Temple of the Tooth. Its technique, weaponry and attire are similar to Angampora, which was influenced by Indian martial arts.
- Canne de combat is a French martial art. As a weapon, it uses a canne or cane (a kind of walking stick) designed for fighting. Canne de combat was standardized in the 1970s for sporting competition by Maurice Sarry. The canne is very light, made of chestnut wood and slightly tapered. A padded suit and a fencing mask are worn for protection.
- Choi Kwang Do is a martial art developed by Kwang Jo Choi. The style relies more on flexibility and fluidity of movement as opposed to the more rigid lines of some other martial arts. To achieve this it employs yoga-based stretching to develop the flexibility of practitioners.
- Chinese martial arts often named under the umbrella terms kung fu, kuoshu or wushu are several hundred fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China.
- Capoeira(Portuguese pronunciation: [kapuˈejɾɐ] or [kaˈpwɐjɾɐ]) is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. It was developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil at the beginning of the 16th century.[9] It is known for its acrobatic and complex manoeuvres, often involving hands on the ground and inverted kicks. It emphasizes flowing movements rather than fixed stances; the ginga, a rocking step, is usually the focal point of the technique.
- Choi Kwang Do is a martial art developed by Kwang Jo Choi. The style relies more on flexibility and fluidity of movement as opposed to the more rigid lines of some other martial arts. To achieve this it employs yoga-based stretching to develop the flexibility of practitioners.
Collar-and-elbow wrestling (Irish: Coiléar agus Uille) is a style of jacket wrestling native to Ireland. Historically it has also been practised in regions of the world with large Irish diaspora populations, such as the United States and Australia.
- Canerian Wrestling – Wrestlers start in the middle of a sand circle, called terrero. The aim is to make their opponent touch the sand with any part of their body, except the feet. To accomplish this, they use different techniques called mañas to throw their opponent off balance. Two falls are required to win a bout.
- Catch Wrestlingis a classical hybrid grappling style and combat sport. It was developed by G. Chambers in Britain circa 1870. It was popularised by wrestlers of travelling funfairs who developed their own submission holds, or “hooks”, into their wrestling to increase their effectiveness against their opponents.
- Cheibi Gad-Ga, an ancient martial art practised in Manipur, involves duels fought with sticks and leather shields.
- Chess boxing is a hybrid that combines two traditional pastimes: chess, a cerebral board game, and boxing, a physical sport. The competitors fight in alternating rounds of chess and boxing.
Dangers and Injuries
Here is some quick reading information about the Dangers of Combat sports.
Practising sports is bringing the risk of injury oneself. All your organs are exposed. Competing in martial arts and combat sports is the cause of damage with mechanical energy.
At present, it is estimated that the number of sportsmen of high professionality with serious dysfunctions falls within 30-70%.
The research has been conducted on a target group of 282 practitioners of various martial arts and combat sports. As it happens in the environment of people doing sports, the majority of respondents were males – 257 compared to 25 women. Those are contestants being at the top in the world, and very successful in their sports. Among them, there are Olympic, world and European champions.
Among all combat sports and martial arts the most frequent injuries have been broken bones (21%) and damage of knee ligaments (16%). On the other hand, the least frequent have been eyebrow ridge cuts, elbow injuries, knocked out teeth (all consisting 1%) and tensioned muscles, strained muscles, fractured bones, strained Achilles’ tendon, hand injuries, bruises, hurts and injuries of an eye (all consist 2%).
Dislocations and sprains prevailed, whereas, in younger as well as lower-ranked competitors, upper body fractures were more frequent. Injury locations mostly affect body extremities, especially the knee (up to 28%), shoulder (up to 22%) and hand/fingers (up to 30%).
Most of the injuries in combat sports are occurring during tournaments, with 56% of injury cases recorded in karate, 46% in ju-jitsu and 79% in kickboxing.
The type and rates of martial arts injuries are often dependent on the techniques, rules, and protective equipment.
Because of the nature of the sport, which involves elements of body contact that include striking, throwing, and grappling an opponent, it has been suggested these sports are extremely dangerous and harmful compared to other sports.
Being hit on the head can cause fractures to the bone of the head and face and tissue damage in the brain. A blow can damage the surface of the brain, tear nerve networks, cause lesions, bleed, or produce large clots within the brain.
Other injuries to the body include cuts, bruises, broken teeth, dental problems, broken ribs, internal bleeding, and damage to internal organs.
Although protected by hard bone on the side, eyes are very vulnerable to direct hits from below. Damage to the eyes can result from direct contact or from shock waves set up in fluid contents. Depending on the force of the blow damage may result in injury to the retina, retinal detachment, retinal haemorrhage, and other injuries.
Ex-Competitors are more vulnerable to the natural ageing of the brain and diseases of the brain. They may be more likely to suffer diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Their brains are smaller and the surface grey matter is thinner. The ventricles within the brain are enlarged because of the decrease in the brain’s white matter.
It is not all doom and gloom, there are many health benefits, such as:
- Fat burning.
- Increased muscle tone.
- Strong bones and ligaments.
- Increased cardiovascular fitness.
- Muscular endurance.
- Improved core stability.
- Increased strength and power.
- Stress relief.
- Improved coordination and body awareness.
- Greater confidence and self-esteem.
Whilst some women do partake in various Combat Sports, there are not enough, compared to their male counterparts.
Quick Fire – More in part 2
Most research shows Combat fans to be overwhelmingly male. The majority of the studies we read found that MMA audiences were around 75 – 90% males and 10 – 25% females.
20.7% of martial arts instructors are women and 79.3% of martial arts instructors are men.
Ronda Rousey became the first woman fighter signed to the UFC on November 2012 and was promoted to the division’s bantamweight champion. She successfully defended her title in the first UFC women’s fight against Liz Carmouche at UFC 157.
Martial arts have always been male-dominated sports. Whether on UFC cards or in martial arts gyms, women are in the minority. While this can be a deterrent to some, women should all consider at least some level of martial arts training.
Some interesting short readings:
https://wforwoman.com/content/the-6-best-forms-of-martial-arts-for-women
EQUIPMENT
Title Boxing – https://www.titleboxing.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwk6P2BRAIEiwAfVJ0rEbMe4-hnig56RvPQAQolXI4ZyuhRlg7hc2lLy3xLMHB7dbslo8FbBoCvGsQAvD_BwE
Everlast – https://www.everlast.com/fight/boxing/coaching-equipment
Expert Boxing – https://expertboxing.com/boxing-equipment
Fight Equipment – https://www.fightequipmentuk.com/
Combat Sports – https://www.combatsports.com/
RDX Sports – https://rdxsports.com/
South African Suppliers
Boxing SA – https://boxing.co.za/
Fizique – https://www.fizique.co.za/
Mi fitness – https://www.mifitness.co.za/products/combat-sports/
Decathlon – https://www.decathlon.co.za/2741-boxing
Boshido – https://bushidoafrica.co.za/
Shen sports – https://www.shensports.co.za/
If you have the itch, go for it! It’s brutal and can be dangerous! Combat sports are usually full-contact sports, so make sure you find the best instructor money can buy! He/she may just save your life!
When you are ready to take on those punches, and knockouts, please take a moment and bow for people that are disabled, that cannot take part in such sports.
Please note: I do not take any responsibility for the accident, disability, death, public liability, third party, medical costs, destruction of property, damages to self or others, destruction of all equipment, disability, personal liability, general liability, self-harm, suicide, harm to livestock, harm to animals, harm to children and intentional bodily harm, for using any of the listed products and suppliers. Please consult with the manufacturers and instructors, when buying the equipment that is suitable for you.
To all you avid gamers out there, here are some combat games for you to enjoy!
- Creed
- Knock out Kings
- Victorious boxers
- HBO Boxing
- Fight Night
- UFC
- Round 4 Round
- Fight Night
- Knock Out Kings
- UFC
- Look out for part 2
My views, comments and content are strictly my own opinion and research and are not governed or influenced by any marketing of companies or brands. It is of my own free will to mention companies and brands that supply sporting equipment pertaining to the sport in the discussion.
