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MARTIAL ART
Any one of the Oriental Arts of fighting or self-defense, such as karate and
aikido
(ref: World Book Encyclopedia)

MARTIAL ARTIST
A practitioner of one or more of the martial arts
(ref: World Book Encyclopedia)

Martial Arts is a general term for any of various types of fighting arts that have
generally been believed to originated in the Orient. Recent Research has
shown there is documented evidence there was some type of formal fighting
system back in ancient Egypt. Lets go back approximately 4,600 years ago
and visit the tomb of IMHOTEP, the world 's first physician, and designer of
the world's first Pyramid. He was also a priest and poet. In his tomb are
stone wall carvings of warriors using a variety of wrestling holds, throws,
kicks, punches and other fighting techniques. Tombs of several Kemetic
Governors who lived 4,200 years ago also had illustrations of over 500 pairs
of wrestlers and other warriors demonstrating weapons including the lance
and short sticks. The exact origins may never be known.

Most martial arts practiced today came from China, Japan and Korea. There
are hundreds of martial arts, each divided into specific styles or systems.
Most martial arts share the same basic techniques.
There is no one style superior to any other.
Each has an advantage , depending on what the individual seeks to gain
from it.

There are two main types of martial art.
Percussive or hard style such as karate and tae kwon do where students
kick, punch and use knees and elbows to strike an opponent and
non-percussive or soft style such as judo and aikido which involves throwing
and locking an opponent.
Weapons are often used in training depending on the art.

Today people practice martial arts for exercise, self-defense and as a sport.
Martial Arts History