what is the most popular martial art in the world?

Question

many websites have stated that taekwondo is. Is this true (wheres the proof?) or is this just stated on tkd websites for publicity?
thanks

to follow on from what 'j v' asked, i mean what m.a is most widely practised world wide. thanks

Answer 1

What does the word "popular" mean in this context?

Does it mean: The most practitioners?

Does it mean: The most schools?

Does it mean: The one most people can identify by name?

Does it mean: The one that is most liked?

And the list can go on and on.....

Where are we talking about? What is popular in China may not be popular in Great Britain and what is popular in Great Britain may not be popular in the United States.

My guess for the most widely practiced art worldwide, and considering the population of China, would be Kung Fu. It's only a guess because I don't know of any studies that have been conducted to determine the correct answer. Your guess, and everyone's guess, is as good as mine!

Answer 2

By the most popular, I take it that this means the most number of practitioners.
1) Taekwondo - You can find places teaching this almost anywhere in the world, with classes full of kids. It looks good with flashy high kicks, and is the easiest to learn and most suitable for beginners.
2) Tai Chi - This is very popular amongst the elderly, and is good for maintaining strong healthy bones and muscles well into old age.
3) Kung Fu / Wushu - This is due to the large population of China and the worldwide distribution of overseas Chinese. There are more than 200 styles of Kung Fu, the most popular being Northern Shaolin and Wing Chun.
4) Karate - There are numerous Karate styles, with new ones being invented today, especially in the USA.
5) Judo - This is quite popular, especially for people who want to do martial arts as a sport.
6) Jujutsu - This martial art is the parent of Judo above, and has been developed by the Brazilians into a very effective martial art in the ring.
7) Aikido - This looks very professional and has been popularised by actors such as Steven Seagal.
8) Ninjitsu - For Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans.

Answer 3

Yeah I'd go with Tai Chi actually due to the massive following in China and it's beginning to be more widely picked up in non Chinese Asian countries for the elderly and hospitalised.

Then I'd say Kung Fu, followed by Karate and or tied with Tae Kwon Do
Then most likely Western boxing.

Somewhere in the top ten would be Judo, Kendo, Jiujitsu and Aikido.

and perhaps Pencak Silat- the Indonesian martial art that spread from Java throughout Malaysia and the Phillipines (Eskrima and Kali are Pencak Silat derived).
Muai Thai is also popular too


If you're serious about a self-defence for self-preservation think about Aikido or the Russian Systema or Pencak Silat- all of them use joint locking to throw all attacks back against the attacker- so size and physique become irrelevent.

Answer 4

Tai Chi is extremely popular but also extremly low key. You'll never find anyone bragging about being the #1 art. It could also be Karate since so many arts are offshoots of Karate and the huge popularity of it since the 1980's worldwide.

TKD got popular because it looks cool, lots of flashy kicks and jumps. But I know few people that stay with it very long and none that can defend themselves worth a darn. TKD is a fine art, but it's not for me.

Answer 5

Hi there

I think as its been already mentioned. It would have to be Tai Chi as there are far more Chinese people in the east that practise the art. its just down to numbers.

In the west we tend to go with whats in fashion so heres the martial arts run down!

60's Judo
70's Karate and kung fu
80's Ninjutsu
90's Kickboxing
2000 BBJ

What ever will be next?

regards

idai

Answer 6

It is just as you stated, TKD does it just for the publicity.

There are three or four times more Chinese people than on the North American Continent alone, and most of them study or practice Tai Chi on a daily basis.

Tai Chi would take the cake.

Answer 7

In the WORLD? That's easy, with 400 billion chinese people and every one of them taking breaks at work to practice Tai Chi i'd have to say that takes the cake. Though, not primarily used for martial more than art, it is still the most popular in the world.

Taekwondo and Karate are the most popular, if we're talkin people who join for self defense and to try to hurt people. keep in mind that more than 50% of them are below blue belt, and the age of 15.

Answer 8

I hate to say it but your right because today sport karate..."Tae Kwon Do" has taken over.

Kenpo karate is another world wide art witch is also very popular...not so much into the sport scene, at lease where I go and what I've learned about Kenpo over the years.

Answer 9

There are more christians in the world than TKD people, does that make it a worthy thing to do?

Not at all. billions of people can still be wrong.

popular may mean 'easier'. the majority seems to go for the short cut in everything. short cut to god, short cut to black belt. take your pick people...

but none make a difference if you havent the mind to smell a rat.

Answer 10

Wow... hmm.. this is tough but I'll give it a try..

In North America (popularity wise) Tae kwon do is spreading. It also has been accepted as an Olympic sport.

For world wise... I seriously have no clue. But (I'm guessing when I say this, so please don't quote me when I say this) Tae kwon do seems to be the most popular in North America at the time.