| Kick boxing is a relatively modern martial | | | | Development: |
| arts system, who syllabus derived by | | | | |
| combining several fighting techniques from a | | | | There is a close affinity between Kick boxing |
| variety of the more traditional disciplines, | | | | and Muay Thai. While it is believed that the |
| including Kung fu, Kyokushinkai Karate, Muay | | | | Americans had created this concept in their |
| Thai, Kyokky shinkai and Tae kwon do. | | | | attempt to find a sport that could refine |
| | | | full contact competition, it is believed that |
| History: | | | | the development of Kick boxing was borne out |
| | | | of the World Kick boxing Association finding |
| Martial arts boomed during the early 1970s | | | | common ground between Eastern and Western |
| and interest was greatly increased by their | | | | fighting cultures. |
| emphasis on competition fighting. Chinese | | | | |
| styles of fighting began to take a more | | | | It is also believed that Joe Cawley, Don and |
| westernised form in the UK, and even more so | | | | Judy Quinn, along with Howard Hansen, a |
| in the United States, where the first real | | | | Shorin ryn Karate black belt, were the |
| freestyle systems were beginning to be | | | | initial promoters of Kick boxing and worked |
| created. Indeed, many people claim that Kick | | | | together for improved recognition. Hansen |
| boxing originated in the US during the 1970s. | | | | took Kick boxing a stage further by |
| This, they say, was due to various American | | | | introducing fights in a boxing ring rather |
| Karate practitioners becoming frustrated with | | | | than the usual Karate tournament bouts. He |
| the limitations of tournament competitive | | | | became known as a ring matchmaker, staging a |
| scoring. While Karate and the other | | | | variety of successful events with stars such |
| disciplines were viewed as being entrenched | | | | as Bill "Superfoot" Wallis. |
| with theories and set kata, and were | | | | |
| performed in a controlled environment, | | | | New rules evolved and were introduced into |
| practitioners wanted to see how effective | | | | Kick boxing, most notably weight divisions - |
| their moves would be in a more realistic | | | | from fly weight to heavy weight - similar to |
| environment. Great emphasis began to be | | | | those in traditional boxing. A down side to |
| placed on specialised techniques, such as | | | | the discipline in those early days was |
| kicks and punches, being delivered with full | | | | criticism of a high risk injury. This led to |
| force. Although full contact Karate was | | | | improvement in the safety rules, such as |
| already established, concerns were expressed | | | | contestants wearing protective clothing to |
| for the safety of competitors. | | | | cushion the impacts of the blows. |
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