Kickboxing facts for kids

Kickboxing is a combat sport.

A kickboxing match at German Open 2010.

Kickboxing is a type of martial arts and a sport where people use both their hands and feet to hit. It's a bit like boxing, but with added kicks! You can practice kickboxing to stay healthy and fit, or you can compete in it as a combat sport.

Kickboxing is part of a group of fighting styles called Boxe pieds-poings. It first became popular in Japan and then in North America. There are different ways to play kickboxing. One common way allows kicks only to the head and body.

How Kickboxing Started

Kickboxing began in the mid-1960s. A Japanese martial artist named Kurosaki, who trained in Kyokushinkai Karate, visited Thailand. There, he learned about Thai boxing.

When Kurosaki returned to Japan, he decided to mix his karate skills with Thai boxing moves. He removed elbow strikes from the new sport. Later, Americans also removed knee strikes. This new exciting sport was then called "kickboxing."

Early Kickboxing Champions

Some non-Japanese fighters became very famous in early kickboxing.

• Christian Guillaume from France had great success in 1969. He won four matches and had two draws.
• Benny "The Jet" Urquidez from America was another big name. In 1977, he beat Tatsuyuki Suzuki in four rounds.

In 1973, Benny Urquidez and Howard Hanson started the World Karate Association (W.K.A.). Later, they changed the "K" from Karate to Kick-Boxing. This showed how the sport was growing.

Famous Kickboxing Fighters

Many champions have made kickboxing popular. Some of the most well-known fighters include:

• Rob Kaman
• Benny Urquidez
• Dennis Alexio
• Ernesto Hoost
• Marek Piotrowski

Rules of the Game

In kickboxing, fighters can use both punches and kicks. They are allowed to hit above the waist. Sweeping an opponent's leg is also allowed. Kicks to the thigh, called low kicks, are also permitted.

Match Length

• "Amateur" matches, for newer fighters, usually have three rounds.
• Professional matches are longer, lasting five rounds.
• Championship matches can be even longer. European championships have 10 rounds, and world championships have 12 rounds.
• There is a one-minute break between each round for fighters to rest.

Winning a Match

Often, the kicks to the thigh (low kick) can make a big difference in who wins a match. These kicks can wear down an opponent.

What Kickboxers Wear

Fighters need special gear to stay safe during a match.

• They wear pants, which can be long or short.
• Boxing gloves protect their hands and their opponent.
• A mouthguard protects their teeth.
• A protector for the genitals is also worn.
• In female matches, women also wear a chest protector.
• Boots are worn in amateur fights but are not always required in professional matches.

Images for kids

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  An 800-year-old carving from Cambodia showing an early version of Pradal serey. It's at the Bayon temple.

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  An old picture of la boxe française.

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  Tatsuo Yamada (left) and his teacher Choki Motobu (right) in 1926.

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  A powerful hook-punch landing.

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  A kickboxing match happening in Munich.

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  A Full contact kickboxing match.

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  A Semi Contact kickboxing match.

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  A Muay Thai match, showing a low kick.

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  Oriental rules kickboxing in action.

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  A Sanda fighter trying a double leg takedown on his opponent. Sanda is unique because it allows takedowns.

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  A Lethwei match. Unlike other styles, Lethwei is fought bareknuckle.

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  A fighter performing a roundhouse kick.

See also

In Spanish: Kick boxing para niños