Difference between Karate and Taekwondo

There are different forms of fighting styles around the world. It is quite hard to tell whether which one is better than the other, but it is believed that the main difference is made by the person who is fighting. If he/she is agile enough to deliver the moves efficiently and effectively, there is no need to look for anything else.

Two of the most popular fighting styles are karate and taekwondo. Fighters from all over the world love copying moves from these two styles, as they are highly effective and can help in defeating the opponents within a few minutes.

Most people think that such fighting styles don’t have many differences and just have separate names. However, this is not the reality, as these actions come from different origins and are dissimilar in many ways.

The most basic difference between karate and taekwondo is that they come from different countries. The former of the two is followed in Japan, where it was originated whereas the other style comes from Korea.

However, the karate came way before the Korean fighting style, so it was more popular amongst fighters before other fighting techniques evolved. Moreover, taekwondo is highly influenced by the Japanese fighting techniques, which means it is not a pure form of wrestling mode.

On the other hand, karate was also influenced by the Chinese martial arts to some extent, but majority of its techniques were different from any other fighting style at that time.

Another clear difference between karate and taekwondo is the way both styles are executed. If you are a student of the former wrestling school, you will be taught to use your arms and hands more than the legs. It is said that a fighter uses 60 percent of his/her arms during a karate match whereas 40 percent of the moves involve the movement of legs.

Compared to that, the Korean fighting schools teach the opposite lessons to the learners. While attacking and blocking in taekwondo, you are told to use 60 percent of your legs and 40 percent of your arms and hands.

Despite being there for more time than taekwondo, karate is not a part of the Olympics whereas the Korean sport is considered as quite important in the mega event after, held after every four years.