There are many people who aren't sure what the difference is between Karate and Taekwondo
. While it is true that they have some fundamental similarities, each discipline has risen from a different culture and possesses many contrasts with the other. Here is a breakdown of the similarities and differences between Karate and Taekwondo.
All these self defence forms have their origin in different Asian Countries. Taekwondo originated some 2000 years back and is a mixture of cultures of three kingdoms that ruled Korea then.Karate also originated almost at the same time and the Buddhist monks of Japan take the credit of inventing a methodical attack system using the different body parts to strike the opponent in strikingly angular and repeated movements that are predetermined.
Though Taekwondo is a strike based martial art, the person is required to use kicks as and when needed. The idea behind this is the fact that the lower part of the body creates far greater force than your upper part of the body while helping you remain stable. What's different about Taekwondo is that it is less governed by mathematics and tradition and more inspired the situation and the movements of your opponent.
Taekwondo is recognized as an Olympic sport and has been featured in the Summer Olympics since the Seoul, South Korea games in 1998, except when the Olympic committee voted it out of the 1996 Atlanta games. Unlike Taekwondo, Karate has not been recognized as sport in the Olympics.
Both Taekwondo and Karate disciples wear fighting clothing proper for their respective disciplines, called a gi. The Japanese-based Karate uses it's own gi, and the Korean-based Taekwondo uses a gi specific to its style as well. Top Quality Taekwondo and Karate gis can be purchased at a reasonable rate if one knows where to shop.
Both Karate and Taekwondo were invented as a means of self-defense that does not rely on any weapons other than the natural striking facets of the human body. Both have been honed over the centuries into modern versions that are highly potent forms of both attacking and defending. When performed for an extended amount of time, both are excellent forms of exercise. Millions of youngsters all over the globe enroll in both Karate and Taekwondo classes each year.