THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING THE HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF YOUR FIGHTING STYLE
What many people don't realize is that understanding the history and origin of Muaythai is essential to truly grasp the essence of this combat sport.
Chinese fighting styles directly influenced the development of martial arts in Okinawa, which eventually gave rise to Karate. Later, Koreans, drawing from these traditions, created Taekwondo. Thatâs why there are so many similarities between these stylesâtheir roots are interconnected.
In this same context, we can observe the evolution of other combat arts, such as Judo. Its founder, Jigoro Kano, incorporated various cultural and personal elements into his styleâsuch as clothing, traditions, personal interpretations, preferences, and the teaching methods of the time.
This is why we see belt ranking systems in arts like Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, and their derivative styles. The ranking system was Kanoâs invention, created to classify and identify his students. This idea was later adopted by other style founders, such as Gichin Funakoshi in Karate and General Choi Hong Hi in Taekwondo. Taekwondo was created in the 1950s by South Korean General Choi Hong Hi, with Karateâlearned during the Japanese occupation of Koreaâas its primary foundation.
Another relevant point is the method of transmitting knowledge. At that time, learning was mainly done through kataâpre-arranged movement patterns. All Karate taught in Okinawa was based on these kata, which originated from Chinese styles. This practice was incorporated into Karate and, due to the relationship between the founders of Karate and Judo, was also adopted in Judo.
This interaction between styles even influenced the clothing used in training. Jigoro Kano created a specific uniform for Judo practiceâthe judogiâreplacing the traditional hakama, which often caused injuries. He also suggested to Gichin Funakoshi, during a private presentation at the Kodokan, that he adopt the same uniform for Karate, which helped reduce the prejudice against Okinawan Karate. The Taekwondo dobok began to be standardized between the 1940s and 1950s, during the style's systematization and organization process.
Throughout this process, founders inserted personal preferences into their methods. Gichin Funakoshi, for example, admired military systems of organization and discipline. With the looming threat of war, training in military arts gained importance, and Karate took advantage of this wave of militarism. Thus, practices such as marching in formation, saluting the flag, strict hierarchy, and calisthenics were implementedâcalisthenics being common in Japanese education systems from middle school to university.
Young men about to be drafted for war sought out Funakoshi to learn how to fight, believing it could improve their chances of surviving conscription into the Japanese Armed Forces. The number of students grew significantly. As a result, Funakoshi developed paired training techniques, controlled partner drills, and the introduction of free sparring. These elements contributed to a more structured and realistic teaching method within his style.
Funakoshi wanted his art to be recognized as an educational toolâa goal similar to that of Jigoro Kano, who aimed to integrate Judo into Japanâs national education system. Thus, the styles that descended from these traditions also inherited those characteristics. In fact, Kanoâs teaching methods reflected the objectives of Japanâs early 20th-century educational programs.
Many practitioners believe that this rigidity and military structure are inherent to martial artsâbut thatâs not entirely true. The rigidity was present because those arts developed in military contexts. When they were no longer used in those environmentsâdue to the modernization of warfare or the advent of firearmsâthat rigidity faded. A good example includes Boxing, Muaythai, Wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu, which retained a more practical and straightforward character.
This explains why Chinese, Japanese, and Korean styles share so many similarities: everything is connected to a common origin.
But why don't styles like Western Boxing, Wrestling, Savate, Muaythai, Silat, Muay Lerdrit, Lethwei, and others share those same characteristics?
The answer lies once again in their origin.
Boxing was born in England, a country with no tradition of ceremonial bows, marching drills, or specific uniforms for practice. The English style strongly influenced modern Muaythai, especially in its rules, training methods, and techniques.
Thatâs why in these styles we donât see belt rankings, salutes to flags, or hierarchical titles such as "master," "grandmaster," or "professor." These elements simply aren't part of their cultural background.
However, some individuals try to insert elements from other martial arts into Muaythaiâsuch as rankings, titles, and specific uniformsâmotivated by personal ideologies, the pursuit of social prestige, or financial interests.
Itâs important to remember that styles like Muaythai, Wrestling, and Boxing were created with practical and objective purposes: to fight, to defend oneself, to win competitions, to earn prestige or rewards. They werenât born with rituals, mythological stories, rankings, or rigid hierarchical structures, like Eastern styles designed for school or military settings.
Thatâs why understanding the history and origin of the fighting style you practice is essential. This knowledge protects practitionersâespecially beginners, enthusiasts, or recreational athletesâfrom being misled by opportunists seeking only money, status, or easy recognition.
