Olympic Martial Arts: 6 Self-Defense Forms In The Medal Race

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Combat sports have been part of the Olympics for thousands of years. Wrestling and boxing were added to the ancient Games within about a century of the first recorded Olympics in 776 BC.

But…

Have you ever wondered how many martial arts are included in modern-day Olympics and when they were introduced to this event?

Olympic Martial Arts

The Ancient Olympics began around 776 BC, and the first combat event, wrestling, joined the program in 708 BC.

Boxing followed in 688 BC. Pankration, which combined boxing and wrestling with bare hands, first appeared in 648 BC.

The ancient combat events had few rules. In pankration, only biting and gouging were banned, so these events were violent and brutal.

The modern Olympics, which started in Athens, Greece, in 1896, have strict rules and events for both men and women. Recent Summer Games have been held in London (2012), Rio de Janeiro (2016), Tokyo (2021), and Paris (2024).

Since the modern Olympics launched, several combat sports have been added. Some have come and gone, while others are still on the program. Here are six that have been part of the modern Games:

1. Boxing

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Boxing is one of the oldest and most popular events in the Olympics. Olympic bouts are three rounds of three minutes, scored by five judges, and the boxer who wins on the most judges' scorecards wins unless the bout ends early.

Boxing first appeared at the ancient Games in 688 BC, when fighters wrapped their hands in leather strips.

Modern gloved boxing grew out of rules written in Britain in the 1800s, such as the Marquess of Queensberry rules, which required padded gloves.

Boxing has been part of every modern Olympics since 1904 except 1912, and women's boxing debuted at London 2012.

Boxers are often grouped into three broad styles, which you'll see in Olympic rings too:

• Inside fighter: with this Olympics technique, you have to always stay near your opponent and throw intense punches. The punches may include a combination of uppercuts and hooks.
• Brawler: Commonly known as a slugger, this technique lacks finesse, but it does have exceptional punching power.
• Outside fighter: with this technique, you have to keep a huge distance between you and your opponent by playing fast and employing long-range punches.

2. Fencing

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Fencing is the only weapon-based combat sport on the Olympic program. It made its Olympic debut in 1896 and has been part of every Games since. Women's fencing was introduced at the 1924 Paris Games.

The three types of weapons used in Olympic fencing sports include saber, epee, and foil.

The key difference between these weapons is their target areas; for the epee, the target area is the entire body, while for the foil, it's the torso.

When working with a saber in the Olympics, the target points include the torso and both arms and head. Other differences include:

• Foil: this thrusting weapon weighs up to 500 grams, and a small guard protects your hand.
• Epee: Like the foil, an epee is a thrusting weapon, but it's heavier, at up to about 770 grams, with a larger guard. The whole body is a target, but only hits with the tip count.
• Saber: With this sword, you can target the entire body above the waist except the hand holding the weapon. Hits with the tip and sides of the saber are valid.

Olympic fencing includes team and individual events for men and women. Individual bouts last up to three periods of three minutes each.

The first fencer to reach 15 points wins, or whoever leads when time runs out.

Teams have three fencers plus a reserve, and team matches are fenced as a relay. Hits are recorded electronically, so a light goes on when a valid touch lands.

3. Judo

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Judo was created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, who built it from older jujutsu styles. Competition focuses on throws and on pins, chokes, and armlocks on the ground.

Men's judo joined the Olympics at Tokyo 1964, and women's judo became a full medal sport in 1992. Each nation can send only one judoka per weight class, and there are 7 weight classes each for men and women.

The Kodokan, judo's headquarters, recognizes 100 techniques: 68 throwing techniques (nage-waza) and 32 grappling techniques (katame-waza).

4. Karate

Karate made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, held in 2021, but it was left off the Paris 2024 program. Tokyo had both kata and kumite events, with 80 athletes: 60 in kumite and 20 in kata.

Kata is a solo performance of set defensive and offensive moves against imaginary opponents, while kumite is sparring.

In kumite, fighters score 1 to 3 points per technique: 1 for a punch or strike, 2 for a kick to the body, and 3 for a kick to the head or a scoring technique on a downed opponent. A clear eight-point lead wins the bout.

In kata, competitors choose their kata, and a panel of seven judges scores both technical and athletic performance. Factors include:

Technical Points

• Timing
• Techniques
• Stance
• Conformance and focus
• Breathing
• Transitional movements

Athletic points

• Strength
• Balance
• Speed

5. Taekwondo

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Taekwondo was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Games. It became a full medal sport at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and has stayed on the program since. Both women and men compete.

Medals are awarded in 4 weight categories for each:

Women Weight Classes

• Heavyweight – over 67kg
• Middleweight – under 67 kg
• Featherweight – under 57kg
• Flyweight – under 49kg

Men Weight Classes

• Heavyweight – over 80kg
• Middleweight – under 80kg
• Featherweight – under 68kg
• Flyweight – under 58kg

Taekwondo bouts take place on an octagonal mat about 8 meters across, and points are scored by landing on valid targets. Electronic sensors in the trunk protector and headgear register kicks.

Each penalty (gam-jeom) gives your opponent a point, and piling up too many can cost you a round or the whole match.

Under World Taekwondo scoring, you get:

• One point for a valid punch to the trunk protector
• Two points for a valid kick to the trunk protector
• Three points for a valid kick to the head
• Four points for a valid turning kick to the trunk protector
• Five points for a valid turning kick to the head

6. Wrestling

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Wrestling is one of the oldest Olympic events, ancient or modern. Modern Olympic wrestling falls under two styles:

a. Freestyle Wrestling

Freestyle wrestling was introduced at the 1904 Games. Wrestlers can attack the legs and use their own legs to trip and take down opponents. Men's and women's freestyle each have six Olympic weight classes, and women's wrestling joined the program in 2004.

b. Greco-Roman Wrestling

Greco-Roman is the older Olympic wrestling style, contested at the first modern Games in 1896. Wrestlers can't attack below the waist and can't use their legs to trip or take down an opponent.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Martial Arts Are There on the Planet?

There are hundreds of martial arts and combat sports around the world. Many of the best known come from East Asia, such as taekwondo, karate, judo, and kung fu, but others come from places like Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, and Israel.

When Was the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Established?

The International Olympic Committee was founded on 23 June 1894 at a congress at the Sorbonne in Paris, organized by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The first modern Games followed in Athens in 1896.

Is Jiu-Jitsu an Olympic Sport?

No. Neither traditional Jiu-Jitsu nor Brazilian jiu-jitsu is on the Olympic program, even though jiu-jitsu is the root of judo, which is. Both have international federations and world championships, and ju-jitsu appears at events like the Asian Games.

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Conclusion

Combat sports were part of the Olympics almost from the start. In ancient times they had few rules and were brutal.

Today's Olympic combat sports have detailed rules, weight classes, and protective gear designed to keep athletes safer.

What other martial forms would you like to see in future Olympics competitions? Write your comments below.

Sources

• Wrestling (pale), Hellenic Ministry of Culture
• Pankration, Hellenic Ministry of Culture
• Taekwondo 101: Olympic history, NBC Olympics
• Amateur combative sport rules: karate, competition requirements, Government of Ontario