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View Full Version : Am I Training in a Martial Art or a Martial Sport?



Morph
10th July 2003, 07:20
I think there exists a lot of confusion as to what people train in. Whether it is a martial art or martial sport. I am interested in finding out your view as to what makes one or the other. And why a person would choose that particular type (M/art or M/sport).

Striking Hand
10th July 2003, 07:39
I would say it depends on the focus of your training and towards which goal you train.

Naturally you will need an Instructor that can guide you towards said goal.

Cheers.

kage110
10th July 2003, 10:19
Check out http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/index.html (http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/martialarts.html) and you will find a long article on martial sports and martial arts.

Mike Williams
10th July 2003, 10:56
My favourite take on the subject comes from Matt Thornton. Check out:

http://www.realfighting.com/0503/mthorntonframe.html

http://www.straightblastgym.com/page.asp?section=Press&session=
(the street vs sport section)

Cheers,

Mike

Tripitaka of AA
10th July 2003, 12:47
Shorinji Kempo = Martial Art.

Thank you.

Mike Williams
10th July 2003, 12:51
Didn't I read an old article that said Shorinji Kempo was a sport?

(sorry, just kidding, couldn't resist...)

Cheers,

Mike

Morph
10th July 2003, 17:24
I read the replys, and I must say thanks to all who did. I hope to hear more views on this.
My opinion is as follows - I think (and this thought may change by the time I finish writing this) that a Martial Art is about survival. Not about grades, money or recognition, but just about being a good person and having a pure heart. A good Martial Arts (this takes a good teacher also) teaches about what it is to be a good budo or warrior. You must be able to act/function correctly to survive in times of war - but also in times of peace. This is how I view Martial Arts in basic terms.
A martial sport I view in a much more basic sense. Martial Sports I see as training to win a medal (recognition and/or money). This is not to say that a person training in a Martial Sport however does not have a pure heart - no, I am only saying that a Martial Sport MAY not aid in developing a good warrior spirit. A martial sport is watered down enough to make it acceptable in a contest (i.e. no one will get seriously hurt - or killed).
These are my views today, they may be different tomorrow.
Any input will be appreciated.
Thankyou.

CEB
10th July 2003, 17:53
Originally posted by Mike Williams
Didn't I read an old article that said Shorinji Kempo was a sport?

(sorry, just kidding, couldn't resist...)

Cheers,

Mike

Yeah it looks kind of cool. (http://shorinji.hp.infoseek.co.jp/yearlydata/engtaikai01.htm)

seskoad
10th July 2003, 18:05
well, like everybody told me before when I joined this forum. Please put your real name in forum. Thanks:D

kimq
10th July 2003, 23:09
Just had an amusing thought: Martial "Recreation" rather than "Sport" or "Art." I can see many ignorant mainstreamers viewing training this way.

Maybe it's not so funny after all. Poor, misled mainstreamers. :(

pgsmith
10th July 2003, 23:27
In my mind, the question that has to be asked is ... Why does it make a rat's a*@ what people call it? If it matters to you what others think about what you are doing, you are doing it for either money or glory. Either one of those is NOT the proper reason for the long-term committment of budo. If you like what you are doing and are making good progress and are gaining knowledge through hard work and practice, you shouldn't care what others think of it.

Just my two cents! :)

Tom D
11th July 2003, 05:18
read anything Don Draeger wrote.

joe yang
11th July 2003, 07:13
I know I'm practicing a martial art, cause I really suck at sports! :D

Tripitaka of AA
11th July 2003, 10:50
Has anyone ever told you that you suck at Martial Arts too... if so, are they still alive?!:eek:

joe yang
11th July 2003, 11:31
Not in so many words! :D