| Kickboxing is a sporting martial art very | | | | Sawamura was an extremely popular kickboxer. |
| similar to boxing, except for the fact that | | | | After he retired, kickboxing started to lose |
| it uses both arms and legs for striking. It | | | | its popularity and stopped being broadcast on |
| can be practiced either as a full-contact | | | | TV. He hadn't been on TV until 1993, when K-1 |
| combat sport or for general fitness. While | | | | was founded. In 1993, Kazuyoshi Ishii, who |
| the term refers to various forms of combat | | | | was the founder of Seidokan karate, produced |
| sports, it is generally associated with | | | | K-1 under kickboxing rules (no elbow or neck |
| Japanese and American kickboxing. The term | | | | wrestling). Since then, kickboxing started to |
| was introduced by Osamu Noguchi, a Japanase | | | | regain its popularity and became famous |
| boxing promoter. | | | | again. Soon it's popularity started spreading |
| | | | through North America and Europe as well. |
| The History of Kickboxing | | | | |
| | | | Spreading to North America and Europe |
| Kickboxing is a derivative of karate, boxing, | | | | |
| taekwondo and other combat styles and it was | | | | Jan Plas, a Dutch kickboxer, and a few Muay |
| created to compete against them. All styles | | | | Thai pioneers, initiated Mejiro jym in |
| of kickboxing have been first developed in | | | | Netherlands in 1978. He had learned kick |
| Japan. However, similar influences were | | | | boxing in Japan from the famous Kenji |
| taking place in the United States as well and | | | | Kurosaki. In addition, he was also the one |
| martial artists from toured both Japan and | | | | that founded the Dutch Kickboxing Association |
| US, developing a common kickboxing standard. | | | | (NKBB) in 1978, which was the first |
| | | | kickboxing organization in the Netherlands. |
| Initial Japanese Development | | | | |
| | | | Kickboxing & Fitness |
| As a specific form of martial art, kickboxing | | | | |
| was inspired from Muay Thai, a combat sport | | | | Kickboxing has gradually become a fitness |
| originated in Thailand. Osamu Noguchi, a | | | | craze as well. Kickboxing classes are very |
| Japanese boxing promoter, developed it as a | | | | popular in European countries also. They are |
| competitive style to oppose Muay Thai. He | | | | attended by both men and women. It has become |
| wanted to present to the Japanese people the | | | | very popular among women of all ages who are |
| fighting style that he had discovered in | | | | always looking for new methods to lose weight |
| Thailand and in 1966 he took three Muay Thai | | | | or stay in shape. |
| fighters to compete against Japanese karate | | | | |
| fighters. The Japanese won by 2-1. Noguchi | | | | As you walk by a kickboxing class, you will |
| and Kenji Kurosaki studied the combat style | | | | see that most times it is packed. It seems |
| thoroughly and developed a combined martial | | | | that all you have to bring is yourself and |
| art called kickboxing. At first, throwing and | | | | plenty of energy. Kickboxing classes are |
| butting were allowed in order to distinguish | | | | generally coregraphed to house or techno |
| it from the Muay Thai style. However, they | | | | music. The whole class consists of a full |
| were later eliminated. | | | | hour of punching to the beat. It involves a |
| | | | lot of arm movements, squats, power movements |
| A few years later, the Kickboxing | | | | and a good amount of cardiovascular workout. |
| Association, the first kickboxing | | | | This is what explains its high popularity as |
| organization, was founded in Japan. | | | | a fitness activity. With all the fun, you |
| Kickboxing was broadcast on TV and became | | | | even forget about the fact that you are |
| very popular in Japan. Back then, Tadashi | | | | actually working out. |