🥋👊 Karate

Karate is a striking art from Okinawa, practised in kata, the solo forms, and kumite, the sparring. Competition scores punches, kicks and takedowns by control and technique rather than by damage.

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• Karate Equipment List
• Karate Terms and Slang
• Best Karate Athletes of All Time
• Where Karate Is Most Popular
• The Tournaments That Matter

⏳ Karate History

• 6th Century: Bodhidharma’s teachings laid the foundation for Shaolin Kung Fu, which influenced Okinawan martial arts and created the groundwork for Karate.
• 1609 to 1879: The Shimazu clan’s invasion imposed a weapons ban on Okinawa, leading to the development of weaponless fighting styles and eventual formation of Karate.
• 1900 to 1917: Gichin Funakoshi, considered the father of modern Karate, combined different styles and popularized Karate in the Okinawan school system.
• 1922 to 1936: Funakoshi introduced Karate to mainland Japan, leading to the establishment of the first Karate dojo in Japan – Shotokan.
• 1945 to 1959: Post-World War II, US military personnel discovered Karate in Okinawa and Japan, propelling its popularity abroad.
• 1960 to 1979: Celebrities like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris brought Karate into the limelight, popularizing it in pop culture. The first World Karate Championship was held in 1970.
• 1980 to 1999: Toward the end of the 20th century, Karate was recognized in international sports events, maturing from a traditional martial art to a worldwide sport.
• 2000s to Present: Karate has achieved various milestones, including being included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, reinforcing its significance and cultural relevance globally.