Kickboxing is a martial art known worldwide. It is a martial art that uses punches and kicks, and pays a lot of attention to technique, strength and endurance. However, kickboxing has not always been as it is today. 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. Kickboxing became popular in Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. 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 Japanese karate promoter Osamu Noguchi. The event was called 'Karate vs. Boxing' and there were three matches in total. 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 ensured that kickboxing became increasingly popular.
In the 1970s, kickboxing also became popular in America. The first kickboxing event in America was held in 1974 in Los Angeles. The event was organized by boxer Joe Lewis and featured many famous fighters, including Chuck Norris and Bill Wallace. The event was a great success and made kickboxing increasingly popular in America.
In the 1980s and 1990s, kickboxing also became popular in Europe. Kickboxing became especially popular in the Netherlands. This was partly because Dutch kickboxers often participated in international tournaments and achieved good results. This created a lot of interest in the sport in the Netherlands and more and more kickboxing schools were opened.
Some legendary kickboxers
There have been many legendary kickboxers over the years. Below we will discuss some of these legendary fighters.
Ramon Dekkers
Ramon Dekkers is considered 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 famous 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 his opponents. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix four times, earning him the nickname "Mr. Perfect". After his active kickboxing career, Hoost started to focus 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 his 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 punch and kick opponents to the ground, which is now no longer allowed. Wearing protective clothing was also not mandatory and there were no weight classes.
Nowadays the rules are much stricter and clear weight classes and protective clothing are prescribed. There are also certain techniques that are not allowed, such as elbow strikes.
Conclusion
Kickboxing is a combat sport with a rich history and has produced many legendary fighters over the years. It is a sport that continues to develop, both in terms of regulations and technology. It is therefore no surprise that kickboxing is still popular all over the world. Hopefully this article has given you a better understanding of the history of kickboxing and how it has developed over the years.
