The idea of punching people is ancient, but I'd argue the current rule set is very different from ancient "boxing." Greco-Roman wrestling is what I think of as the most "ancient" martial art in terms of being similar to how it was done in ancient times.
I mean, TKD is one of the more recent developments of Japanese martial arts and yet people often like to play up like it's of ancient Korean origin. Yes, there's quite a difference between boxing and pugilism.
even with the ambiguities, boxing as we know it now is more "ancient" than karate Of course wrestling goes back a looong way.
I think the term "Karate" was made official in about 1935 (though the older variants of Te throughout Okinawa are almost impossible to define on a timeline), whereas the Queensbury rules were published in 1865, so yeah I think you're bang on, Axel. I think it's a good starting point that can turn into a potentially great event. At the moment it feels jagged and unpolished, and the filler 'trashtalk' and other froth was a bit distasteful. I think with some rule tweaks (which organisers have said they're open to moving forward) and a bit more of an open roster of fighters they might be on to something.
Isn't Greco an almost entirely modern event? An attempt to "re-create" some sort of older wrestling but not actually related to it?
Has anyone seen anything about the next event for this? They said mid June in Athens, which is not far off, but it's all gone very quiet.
They put a facebook post up recently saying due to unforeseen circumstances the next event was cancelled. Not sure if they were on about the Athens one but it seems likely.
I was hoping it wasn't going to fizzle out this quickly, but I thought there was a realistic possibility it would. Hopefully this is a one-time hiccup and not the end of the ruleset. All the money renting the exotic cars for the pre-fight show last time probably could have been better spent. On literally anything.
The pecking order of karateka according to Karate Combat: "your Rolls-Royce is pathetic. Check out my yacht!" The pecking order of karateka according to real life: "your twelve year old Geo Metro is pathetic. Check out my six year old Volkswagen Golf!"
If it's the Athens one that is cancelled that might simply be due to the strikes effecting flights and infrastructure?
"Unforseen circumstances" does sound like weather or something like the traffic control strikes, rather than budget related.
I never got this whole belt thing! I got my black belt maybe 15 years ago, not sure now. I still wear it, anywhere between 2 and 6 times a week. For years my kids played with it, so it's also been skipped over, tied to things as a "cable," used to attack the cat etc. And it is barely frayed! Just little bits are threadbare where it twists for the knot or at the corners. More to the point I don't want it to fall apart, it's like an old friend now, and comfy like old trainers.
I’ve actually seen the ques on Kanazawa courses to have gis signed that people were then going to get embroidered over , you wouldn’t believe it .
That's because you're not getting the right kind of sandpaper on it between classes to give it that authentic weathered look. What you need to do is, in the evening, tie it around your waist and sand down the edges while watching TV.
Looks like Karate Combat is still moving forward, as they have hired Jon Gerstel (ESPN and CBS sports) to executive-produce its live events. (Link and info courtesy of black belt magazine FB page) Jon Gerstel Joins New Martial Arts League Karate Combat as Executive Producer for Live Events Travess
