10 Epic Emerging Martial Arts Worldwide Best for Kids!
Selecting the right martial art for your child can speed up the process of fostering confidence, physical fitness, mental strength, and self-defending skills in them, empowering them to stand out from the crowd of nerds and still perform better than most of the Gen Z with access to many opportunities.
Before finding out the best combat sport suitable for your kid, which is supposed to meet all the requirements according to your child’s physiology, here is a quick brief about its history how it was discovered in the cravings of cave walls of different countries and travel across the continents and took its form of modern version today.
Origin of Martial Arts:
The roots of martial arts have a massive history, engraved across the multiple civilizations of humans.
Cave Paintings of Eastern Spain (10,000-6,000 BCE) provide the earliest evidence of structured combat with bows and arrows.
With depictions of around 3000 BCE found in Ancient Egypt, sports science considers Wrestling as the oldest combat sport.
Seed of Bharat?
Where each civilization somehow contributes to the evidence of martial arts in history.
The Indus Valley civilization shares the earliest evidence of Martial art practices with seals and statues showing combat scenarios across 3300–1300 BCE.
With reference to ancient Vedic texts such as Dhanurveda and the Indian epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana describe detailed combat techniques.
During the Vedic period, malla-yuddha was also briefly codified all over the different regions of India.
Kalaripayattu, from South India, is often cited as the oldest surviving martial art, with roots over 3,000 years old. Techniques include strikes, kicks, grappling, weapon training (notably with the urumi, a flexible sword), and pressure point attacks. Kalaripayattu also incorporates agility drills, breathing exercises, and healing practices.
Influence in China
With the journey of Bodhidharma from the Southern part of India, who left his life of princehood in search of spiritual enlightenment, resting his journey in China and teaching the Buddhist monks meditation and Kalaripayattu techniques. Over time, the Buddhist monks at the Shaolin Temple began integrating spiritual teachings with fighting techniques, giving rise to Shaolin Kung Fu.
Greece and Rome
Ancient Greece saw the development of boxing and wrestling, all featured in the Olympic Games.
Modern Era
The 19th and 20th centuries saw the transformation of traditional martial arts into modern sports. In Japan, judo, karate, and kendo were formalized from older schools.
Modern sports like boxing, wrestling, and fencing were codified, and martial arts became global phenomena, practiced for self-defence, sport, and personal development.
Concerning numerous changes in different ages and eras. Here are the top martial arts sports for your kid:
1) Jiu-Jitsu
Its roots trace back to samurai warriors of Japan, where samurai developed jujitsu as a form of hand-to-hand combat focusing on throws, emphasizing immobilization, and submissions to overcome armoured opponents.
Jiu-Jitsu is a system of close combat in which Jiu can be translated as gentle, soft, supple, flexible, or yielding, and Jitsu can be translated as art or technique.
Its core philosophy is to manipulate the opponent’s force against themself rather than confronting it with one’s own force.
2) Taekwondo
A martial art emphasised with dynamic kicking and punching techniques from the mountains of South Korea.
Taekwondo can be translated as Tae= Kick, Kwon= Punch, Do= The art/ The way. This sport requires three physical skills: poomsae, kyorugi, and gyeopka.
Poomsae are patterns demonstrating a range of various explosive kicks, punches, and blocking movements.
Kyorugi involves a kind of sparring seen in the Olympics, and Gyeopka is the art of breaking wooden boards.
Athletes of taekwondo wear a one-of-a-kind uniform known as a Dobok.
This sport was developed in 1940s and 1950s by Korean Martial Artists with experience in other combat sport such as Karate from Japan and Kung Fu from China.
International Taekwon-Do Federation, originally founded by Choi Hong-Hi in 1966, and the partnership of Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo, founded in 1972 and 1973, respectively, by the Korean Taekwondo Association.
Kyorugi, the full-contact sparing, has been a part of the Olympics since 2000.
The South Korean government declared Taekwondo as the national sport of their country in year 2018.
At the Olympic and Paralympic level Taekwondo is governed by World Taekwondo and any change in the rules and regulations of sport is done by them.
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3) Karate
Karate is a striking-based martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan, during the late 19th century. It developed from indigenous Okinawan fighting systems combined with Chinese martial arts, particularly Fujian White Crane. The term “karate” means “empty hand,” reflecting its focus on unarmed techniques including punches, kicks, knee strikes, elbow strikes, and open-hand techniques. It also incorporates defensive maneuvers such as blocking and evasion. Practitioners train through kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).
Karate was popularized globally after World War II, largely through Japanese masters who traveled abroad. There are several major styles including Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, and Wado-Ryu. Karate’s philosophy emphasizes discipline, respect, and self-control, aligning with the traditional Japanese martial code of Bushido.
The main global governing body is the World Karate Federation (WKF), which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. WKF Karate made its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, though it is not on the Paris 2024 roster. There are also traditionalist organizations like the Japan Karate Association (JKA) and others that maintain style-specific practices. Karate is practiced by millions worldwide, both as a sport and a traditional martial art for self-defense and personal development.
4) Judo
Judo is a modern Japanese martial art and Olympic sport founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Derived from traditional jujutsu, Judo emphasizes throws, pins, joint locks, and strangles, prioritizing technique over brute strength. The name “Judo” translates to “gentle way,” highlighting its principle of using an opponent’s force against them rather than meeting force with force.
Judo was developed with the goal of combining effective martial techniques with moral and physical education. Kano sought to eliminate the more dangerous elements of jujutsu to create a system that could be safely practiced for self-improvement and competition. He also introduced the kyu-dan ranking system (white to black belts), which is now widely used across martial arts.
The primary global governing body for Judo is the International Judo Federation (IJF), established in 1951. Judo has been an Olympic sport since the 1964 Tokyo Games for men and 1992 for women. The sport is practiced worldwide and is especially popular in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
In addition to its sport format, Judo retains a strong educational focus. It is widely taught in schools and is often used as a foundational martial art because of its focus on balance, discipline, and body control.
5) Muay Thai
Muay Thai, known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” is Thailand’s national sport and a traditional striking martial art that utilizes punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes. Its origins trace back over a thousand years to Muay Boran, an ancient battlefield technique developed by Thai warriors. Over time, it evolved into a competitive sport, deeply rooted in Thai culture and rituals, including the pre-fight Wai Khru Ram Muay dance.
The modern sport of Muay Thai began taking shape in the early 20th century, incorporating elements like boxing gloves, timed rounds, and weight classes. It gained global recognition for its effectiveness in full-contact fighting, conditioning, and simplicity. Muay Thai is widely respected in combat sports circles and has influenced other disciplines, including kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
Internationally, Muay Thai is governed by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The sport is practiced in over 130 countries and is part of many international competitions. Efforts are ongoing to include Muay Thai as a permanent Olympic sport.
Today, Muay Thai serves as both a cultural heritage of Thailand and a powerful training system for fighters, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts around the world.
6) Kung Fu
Kung Fu refers to the vast and diverse collection of Chinese martial arts that have developed over thousands of years. The term “Kung Fu” (or “Gong Fu”) broadly means “skill achieved through hard work,” and while it’s often associated with martial arts, it can apply to mastery in any discipline. Martial Kung Fu originated as early as 4,000 years ago, blending indigenous fighting systems with philosophical, medicinal, and military elements from Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Kung Fu includes a wide variety of styles and schools, such as Shaolin (known for external, dynamic movements) and Wudang (noted for internal, energy-focused techniques). Styles can also be animal-based (e.g., Tiger, Crane, Dragon), region-specific (Northern vs. Southern), or system-based (Wing Chun, Hung Gar, Baguazhang, etc.). Training often combines strikes, kicks, throws, joint locks, weaponry, acrobatics, and qigong (breath and energy work).
The sport version is known as Wushu, governed globally by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF). While not yet an Olympic sport, Wushu has gained international exposure through competitions and films.
Kung Fu is more than physical technique—it’s a cultural practice blending combat, health, and philosophy. Its influence extends worldwide through cinema, traditional training, and self-defense education.
7) Aikido
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th century. Rooted in traditional Japanese jujutsu, kenjutsu (sword arts), and the spiritual teachings of Omoto-kyo, Aikido emphasizes harmony, redirection, and non-resistance rather than brute force. The word “Aikido” translates to “the way of harmonizing energy,” which reflects its core philosophy: blending with an attacker’s force to control or neutralize them without inflicting serious injury.
Unlike many combat sports, Aikido does not involve competition. Techniques include joint locks, pins, and throws derived from circular movements and precise footwork. Practitioners train with partners in cooperative drills to develop balance, timing, and centeredness. Weapons such as the wooden sword (bokken), staff (jo), and knife (tanto) are also integrated into practice to reinforce principles of distance and movement.
Aikido has various styles and organizations, with the largest being the Aikikai Foundation, led by Ueshiba’s descendants. Other prominent branches include Yoshinkan, Shodokan, and Iwama styles. While not governed by a single international sports federation, Aikido remains widespread, practiced in over 100 countries.
Its appeal lies in its blend of martial effectiveness, spiritual insight, and ethical commitment to peace and self-mastery.
8) Capoeira
Capoeira is a unique Afro-Brazilian martial art that fuses combat, acrobatics, music, and dance. Developed in the 16th century by African slaves in Brazil, it served as both a form of cultural expression and a disguised method of self-defense against colonial oppression. Practitioners use deceptive, flowing movements to evade and counterattack, making Capoeira as much a mental game as a physical confrontation.
Capoeira is performed in a circle called a roda, accompanied by traditional music and instruments such as the berimbau, atabaque, and pandeiro. Participants exchange movements in a ritualized “game” that emphasizes agility, rhythm, creativity, and non-verbal dialogue. Two main styles exist: Capoeira Angola, which is more traditional and ground-based, and Capoeira Regional, a faster and more athletic variation developed in the 20th century by Mestre Bimba.
Capoeira faced repression for many years and was once criminalized in Brazil. However, it gained recognition as a cultural treasure, and in 2014, UNESCO listed it as Intangible Cultural Heritage. While no single body governs it globally, organizations like ABADÁ-Capoeira and Grupo Senzala promote structured training and international exchange.
Today, Capoeira is practiced worldwide, blending culture, martial arts, and music into an expressive, empowering discipline.
9) Kick Boxing
Kickboxing is a modern striking sport that blends techniques from Karate, Muay Thai, and Western boxing. It originated in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s when martial artists began combining Karate’s kicks with boxing’s punches in full-contact matches. The sport later evolved in North America and Europe, leading to different rule sets and styles such as American Kickboxing (no low kicks) and K-1 (allowing knees and limited clinching).
Kickboxing emphasizes punches, kicks, footwork, timing, and endurance. While it borrows movement and techniques from traditional martial arts, it removes many ceremonial and philosophical aspects, focusing instead on athletic competition. Matches are typically held in a boxing ring with timed rounds and scored by judges.
Several governing bodies regulate the sport internationally, with the most prominent being the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), International Sport Karate Association (ISKA), and Glory (a major professional league). WAKO is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and organizes amateur world championships.
Kickboxing is popular both as a competitive sport and a fitness regimen. It has influenced and been influenced by other disciplines, including Muay Thai and MMA. Today, it remains a dynamic and widely practiced combat sport with global appeal and televised professional circuits.
10) Unleashing the Power of Mixed Martial Arts!er of Mixed Martial Arts!
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows striking and grappling techniques from a wide range of martial arts, including boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and karate. The sport’s modern form gained global attention in 1993 with the launch of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the United States, where fighters from different disciplines competed with minimal rules to determine the most effective style. Over time, MMA evolved into a regulated sport with unified rules, weight classes, gloves, and rounds for safety and structure.
MMA fighters are trained to be proficient in multiple ranges of combat: striking (stand-up), clinch (mid-range), and ground fighting (submissions and control). The most successful athletes blend techniques from various disciplines, making versatility and adaptability essential.
MMA is regulated by athletic commissions in many countries, and the UFC remains the largest and most influential promotion. Other major organizations include Bellator, ONE Championship, and PFL. Though not yet an Olympic sport, MMA has a global fanbase and thriving amateur circuits governed by groups like IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation).
Today, MMA is recognized as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, blending tradition, innovation, and raw athleticism.