Modern traditional karate was developed in the islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences from Chinese martial arts. There are actually different styles of karate but they are all commonly considered as Japanese styles today. The colored belt system was developed to show the various ranks of karate practitioners with white depicting novices and black belts (with various degrees) representing instructor levels and higher. There is a whole range of other different colors in between. Modern tae kwon do was developed in Korea after much influence from Japanese karate during the occupation by Japan. Indeed, tae kwon do is sometimes referred to as Korean karate. The Koreans adopted similar white uniforms along with a colored belt ranking system for tae kwon do.

It can be generalized that in karate, one would use their arms or hands for 60% of the time for strikes or blocks while the use of legs for kicking will be about 40%. This breakdown is seen in the many forms or katas of karate which are set routines which simulate fighting against imaginary opponents using martial arts techniques. The forms from tae kwon do would have the opposite percentage breakdown with 40% hands and 60% legs. There is also more emphasis on higher kicks to the head level than in karate. Practitioners also utilize more jumping or flying kicks where one is airborne while executing kicking techniques. The Korean forms or patterns are generally a bit shorter and less complex than the karate forms. Some tae kwon do schools have been known to use the odd karate form in its curriculum as well.

In North America as well as other parts of the world, there are separate traditional competitions for karate and tae kwon do. However, the open martial arts tournaments in North America often have competitors from both disciplines competing together. Some of the larger open martial arts competition events will have separate forms divisions for Japanese and Korean style competitors but the fighting or sparring divisions will usually be combined. Many black belts end up studying both styles. Tae kwon do has received more publicity in recent years since its introduction as an Olympic sport. The style and rules used for the Olympic version fighting comes from the World Federation (WTF). Both karate and tae kwon do are considered as hard style martial arts in North America today (as opposed to soft styles such as the many versions of Chinese kung fu).

These kind of fighters starts their day at around 5:00 in the morning going directly to the place wherein they start they training with an empty stomach. They believe that strenuous training with an empty stomach is an advantage in the effort of gaining weight. It helps slow down the body’s metabolism making it more difficult to burn calories.

Around 11:00 in the morning, fighters take in their first meal of the day. For an average person, you can call it a feast for they are served with many different meats, vegetables and fish. It is a pretty big meal for they must eat and eat for them to gain weight. They call this meal a “Chankonabe” and practically, anything can go into chankonabe. This meal is very rich in protein and served with other side dishes. By not eating overnight and doing training first thing in the morning, a Sumo wrestler’s body is turned in to a fat storing mode. They can basically eat anything and everything what is served infront of them. Sumo wrestlers sit forming a circle while they eat 5 kilos of meat and a minimum of ten bowls of rice in one sitting.

Right after a heavy meal, they are instructed to go directly back to their bedrooms to take a long nap. By doing this, it helps sumo wrestlers to effectively gain weight faster as all the foods are being stored as fat in their body.

Around 6:00 to 7:00 in the evening, these fighters would come back to the dining table – yes, for dinner. One may say that such fight diet regimen and habits are unhealthy. It may be true as Sumo wrestlers usually die at an earlier age as compared with an average adult male. Obesity is a risk factor for different ailments, diseases and complications that can wear out body.

Though it has not been proven scientifically why such fighters die early, they still live on what they believe, continuing the tradition that is being passed on from generations to generations. Sumo wrestlers believe that these are the methods, the fight diet and habits that they need to follow to become great fighters.

Japan and Okinawa developed their own form of Karate, with some changes being made from one instructor to another. Some styles have even been developed in the United States.

Originally Karate got its start in China, in the 16th century but the development of Karate started when Okinawan travelers began visiting China and were so enthused with this ancient style of fighting, that they learned the techniques and once they became masters of the Chinese Martial Arts, and in the 20th century these travelers went back to Japan and began teaching Karate to the solders, using the styles that they had learned and also made some changes of their own.

Today there are hundreds of different types all throughout the world. Karate is not just restricted to Oriental fighting techniques, in France, there is a form called, Savate, this style was first used in Marseille, and is a method of using kicks. Savate uses the feet and legs for both striking and blocking. It has become a form of today’s kickboxing.

Krav Maga is a method of self-defense that was developed in Israel, and practiced by the entire Israeli Army; it has become quite popular in the United States.1,000 years ago, India developed a form of Karate, called Pentjak Silat, which used forms of martial arts mixed with some mystic powers, magic, and healing. Pentjak Silat has now spread the Indonesian Islands.

Sambo is an ancient Russian self-defense art. It is used with the Russian Elite Special Forces, and consists of many striking, kicking and defense.
Sumo dates back to the 8th century and originally was held as ceremonies in the Imperial Court. It used the techniques of both boxing and wrestling. The competitors usually weight 100′s of pounds (kg), but as time passed throughout the centuries, it has become a very popular sport in Japan.

Kung fu can also be divided by the form of movements. This subtle distinction classifies kung fu styles as circular and linear. As the name depicts, circular styles use around and aside movements in relation to the opponents. Linear styles use direct, straight-line movements. Most kung fu masters use a mixture of these two styles.

Then there are distinctions of styles, like internal and external styles. Here, internal styles emphasize the non-tangible elements like meditation, body control, perception and mind control. These styles are also known as mystical styles. Internal styles are part of soft styles. External styles use body mechanics and force. Weight, strength and positioning are used to gain the advantage. External styles are hard styles.

As a kung fu master learns from his surroundings, there are many styles which are adopted from the behavior of the animals. The famous example of this is monkey style, which is adopted from the behavior of monkeys.

Finally there is no end to the discussion on kung fu styles. A kung fu master learns from the environment and himself, or makes his own style.