The history of Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a martial art known worldwide. It is a martial art where punches and kicks are used, and where a lot of attention is paid to technique, strength, and endurance. However, kickboxing has not always been as it is now. In this blog article, we take you through the history of kickboxing and how it has developed over the years.

History of kickboxing

Kickboxing originated from various martial arts, including karate, kung fu, and boxing. It is therefore not surprising that kickboxing is often described as a combination of these martial arts. In the 50s and 60s of the last century, kickboxing became popular in Japan. This was partly because Japanese karatekas were increasingly challenged by boxers and other martial artists.

The first kickboxing event was held in 1966 in Tokyo. The event was organized by the Japanese karate promoter Osamu Noguchi. The event was called "Karate vs. Boxing" and there were a total of three matches. The first match was between a karateka and a boxer, the second match was between a kickboxer and a boxer, and the third match was between a karateka and a kickboxer. Kickboxing won all three matches, which caused kickboxing to become increasingly popular.

In the 70s, kickboxing also became popular in America. The first kickboxing event in America was held in 1974 in Los Angeles. The event was organized by the boxer Joe Lewis and many famous fighters participated, including Chuck Norris and Bill Wallace. The event was a great success and ensured that kickboxing also became increasingly popular in America.

In the 80s and 90s of the last century, kickboxing also became popular in Europe. Especially in the Netherlands, kickboxing became popular. This was partly because Dutch kickboxers often participated in international tournaments and achieved good results there. This created a lot of interest in the sport in the Netherlands and more and more kickboxing schools were opened.

A number of legendary kickboxers

Over the years, there have been many legendary kickboxers. Below, we will discuss some of these legendary fighters.

Ramon Dekkers

Ramon Dekkers is regarded as one of the best kickboxers of all time. He was born in 1969 in Breda and started kickboxing at the age of 12. In the 1990s, he was at his peak and won many tournaments, including the prestigious K-1 World Grand Prix. Unfortunately, Ramon Dekkers passed away in 2013 at the age of 43.

Ernesto Hoost

Ernesto Hoost is also one of the most well-known and successful kickboxers in the history of the sport. He was born in 1965 in Heemskerk and started kickboxing at a young age. He was known for his powerful kicks and his ability to knock out opponents. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix four times, earning him the nickname "Mr. Perfect." After his active kickboxing career, Hoost focused on coaching young talent.

Semmy Schilt

Semmy Schilt is a Dutch kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He was born in 1973 in Rotterdam and started kickboxing at a young age. He was known for his enormous stature of 2.12 meters and his ability to keep opponents at a distance with his long arms and legs. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix four times and is considered one of the best heavyweights in the history of the sport.

Peter Aerts

Peter Aerts, also known as "The Dutch Lumberjack", is a former kickboxer from the Netherlands. He was born in 1970 in Eindhoven and started kickboxing at the age of 14. He was known for his powerful punches and kicks and won the K-1 World Grand Prix three times. Aerts is considered one of the best heavyweights of all time.

Evolving rules and techniques

In the early years of kickboxing, the rules were much less strict than they are today. For example, it was allowed to hit and kick opponents on the ground, which is no longer permitted. Wearing protective gear was also not mandatory, and there were no weight classes.

Nowadays, the rules are much stricter, and there are clear weight classes and prescribed protective gear. Certain techniques are also prohibited, such as elbow strikes.

Conclusion

Kickboxing is a martial art with a rich history and has produced many legendary fighters over the years. It is a sport that continues to evolve, both in terms of regulations and technique. It is therefore no surprise that kickboxing remains popular worldwide. Hopefully, this article has given you more insight into the history of kickboxing and how it has developed over the years.