Karate is a martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan.
It is now practiced all over the world and is a popular form of self-defense. Karate practitioners use their hands and feet to strike and block opponents.
Here are ten fun facts about karate:
1. Karate means “empty hand” in Japanese.
2. The first karate school was founded in 1936 by Gichin Funakoshi.
3. There are different styles of karate, including Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu and Goju-ryu.
4. In competition, karate matches are divided into weight classes and there are three main types of events: kata (forms), Kumite (sparring) and Kobudo (weapons).
5. A black belt signifies mastery of the basics and typically takes 3-5 years to achieve; a 1st degree black belt is the highest rank for an amateur competitor.
6. Professional karateka (karate practitioners) can achieve higher ranks, such as 7th or 8th degree black belt.
7. The most common injuries in karate are to the head and face, followed by the hands and feet.
8. Karate is an official Olympic sport and made its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
9. Some famous karatekas include Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan and Steven Seagal.
10. There are estimated to be over 100 million karate practitioners worldwide!
