Kickboxing is a striking martial art that combines elements of traditional karate, boxing, and other martial arts styles such as Muay Thai. It emphasises punches, kicks, knee strikes, and in some styles, elbows and clinch work. What sets kickboxing apart from other martial arts is its focus on combining the speed and footwork of boxing with the powerful kicks and strikes of karate and traditional martial arts. The sport is often practised for self-defence, fitness, and competition, and it has gained significant popularity globally due to its dynamic nature and emphasis on cardiovascular conditioning, agility, and striking power. Unlike traditional martial arts, which often include grappling or ground fighting techniques, kickboxing is typically limited to stand-up combat, making it more straightforward for those focused purely on striking.

Kickboxing originated in the mid-20th century, emerging as a fusion of traditional karate and boxing. The sport can be traced back to the 1950s and 1960s, when Karateka (karate practitioners) in Thailand and the United States began incorporating boxing techniques into their training. In particular, Full-Contact Karate, a form of karate competition that allowed for full-force striking to the body and head, was an early precursor to modern kickboxing. The sport was further developed in Japan in the 1960s by martial artists such as Osamu Noguchi, who sought to create a competitive fighting sport that integrated both the power of boxing and the versatility of karate strikes. In the 1970s, kickboxing began to take shape as a competitive sport, particularly with the establishment of prominent competitions like the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) and the rise of famous fighters such as Joe Lewis and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. The sport spread globally and is now practised in various forms, such as American Kickboxing, Muay Thai kickboxing, and K-1 kickboxing, each with its own rules and emphasis on different techniques.

Kickboxing competitions involve both kumite (sparring) and, in some styles, forms. In kumite (sparring), competitors fight in a controlled environment, with points awarded for clean, controlled strikes using punches, kicks, and knee strikes. Depending on the specific style or organisation, kickboxing competitions may vary in terms of legal techniques (e.g., some allow elbows, others don’t), the level of protective gear worn, and the rules around clinching or sweeping. Common types of kickboxing competitions include full-contact kickboxing, semi-contact, and light-contact kickboxing. Some competitions also incorporate forms or kata, though these are less common than in traditional martial arts. In these events, competitors perform choreographed sequences of strikes, kicks, and defensive moves, judged for technical accuracy and overall presentation.