Training in martial arts typically provides a great many benefits. These can include, but are not limited to, self-confidence, self-awareness, focus, coordination, self-control, and responsibility.
Unfortunately, just because a person trains in martial arts does not mean they will use all the benefits in the right way. For instance, if you are challenged by a person who is smaller than you and does not train in martial arts, you’re supposed to walk away, and not unleash all the training onto them.
The below video was taken at a Buddhist Temple called Suyambhunath, located in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. In it, we see a self-proclaimed street fighter vs. a trained, black belt Kyokushin karate practitioner.
Now that you know how the story ends, this is a profound lesson in what not to do, for all parties:
•DON’T fight outside the gym unless attacked, and escape is not possible.
•DON’T voluntarily fight on a hard surface - the fall can kill.
•DON’T challenge a trained fighter. And …
•DON’T accept challenges from fools - everyone loses.
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What is Kyokushin?
Kyokushin is a martial arts style of stand-up fighting and was founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese Masutatsu Oyama. “Kyokushin” is Japanese for “the ultimate truth”. It is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline, and hard training.
Kyokushin training consists of three main elements: technique, forms, and sparring. These are sometimes referred to as the three “K’s” after the Japanese words for them: Kihon (basics), kata (Imaginary and highly stylized forms of fight), and Kumite (sparring).
It is best known for full contact matches that prohibit face punches and ground fighting, but allow and in fact mandate full power punches to the body, and full power kicks and knees to the legs, body, and head. The body conditioning alone to compete successfully is the stuff of legend.
And the highest physical achievement in the art is the 100 Man Kumite, but that’s another lesson.
In sum, you play football and you play tennis. No one plays Kyokushin.