Does karate involve the use of gloves?

Question

I am watching a sport channel and the caption reads "karate" but all I see are two asian men in what looks like a boxing ring and they both have gloves on. They are kicking each others legs and punching each others faces. What is this???

Answer 1

not always

Answer 2

Semi-contact, point fighting or sport karate point fighting uses light, soft gloves as well as foot gear. This past year they have come up with a new fight league that is more of a kick boxing type style of fighting with a tournament type scoring format.
It sounds like what you were watching was kickboxing with European rules which allows leg kicks to the thighs and calves or Maui Tai which is the national sport for Thailand and they wear gloves but often times nothing other than a very small pad on the bridge of the foot or nothing on the foot at all.

Answer 3

Karate is just a generic name for fighting with an Asian flavor. Most would define what you are watching as kickboxing, although they might market the fight as "karate" to gain more viewers.

Karate punches can be affected by the weight of gloves moreso than boxing or kickboxing punches. This is why traditional karate sparring matches do not involve heavy gloves.

Answer 4

It sounds like kickboxing but with them both being Asian it was probably Muay Thai which is a form of kickboxing that is usually more hardcore than American Kickboxing. You see the use of only boxing gloves used in most professional fighting with the amateurs using hand, feet, and headgear. There are a few styles that fight without any pads though. I hope I have helped you.

Answer 5

In sparring, yes gloves are worn. In some karate schools, most students who spar where full gear which consists of headgear, mouthpiece, gloves, boots, shin guards and rib protector. The karate you saw was probably a form of kickboxing which then boxing gloves are worn.

Answer 6

Traditional karate was invented as a means of defense for people who do not have weapons.
Gloves were never worn in their training.

Most likely what you are a watching is some form of sport fighting. That is not true karate.

Answer 7

Uusually only in sparring (the fighting you are speaking of above) are gloves used. Sparring is only the sport fighting portion of the art. The book is much better than the cover. May the Stars light your path.