Martial Arts

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I thought I'd get a thread going on Martial Arts, seeing as there doesn't appear to be one. Views on Martial Arts, style vs style and general opinion.

I train in brasilian Jiu Jitsu at my local leisure centre, and am a yellow belt (first belt acheived). I really enjoy the sport as it's a damn good workout, and its great for winding down, it appears to have curbed my road rage!

[Paradigm^]

I used to do Wing Chun Kung Fu in my second year of Uni. After a year's worth of training I joined the team and started teaching the following intake of freshers, which was incredibly fun. Unfortunately I couldn't juggle my Uni work with travelling to their centre (lessons were only at Uni for your first year), so I had to drop it eventually.

I did get an awesome uniform out of it. Since WCKF doesn't really have a ranking system, it came with a black sash, which had the added benefit of making people assume you were more kickass than you actually were. Fun times.

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Thats pretty cool. The ranking system is kinda strange in BJJ, since we don't have any kata to learn or any forms, you get your next belt by winning in competitions. I came third in my weight class in the competition, which was an all ireland event, however seeing as there were only three people in that weight class, didn't feel quite as cool, but still technically 3rd best in Ireland, lol

[Paradigm^]

I chose Wing Chun specifically because it's an internal, 'soft' style, which goes well with the fact that I'm a pussy :p I've never really had to use it and in all honesty I doubt it would be vastly helpful in a fight, but it helped my confidence grow and did at least teach me that elbowing people in the face is the way to go.

From what I've heard, BJJ tends to beat most other styles in UFC-type matches, mainly because it's a grappling style which tends to be a point of weakness for most martial arts. It's surprising how few martial arts teach you what to do once you're on the floor.

However, despite BJJ's strengths, it is officially the gayest martial art there is. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpceOOk2zog)

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Ithe gayest martial art there is. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpceOOk2zog)

In all fairness, I cannot dispute taht remark. My girlfriend came along to the competition to see how me and my two mates would do, and when she saw what it involves, she just couldn't help but rip the piss out of us for the rest of the day. That said, it is quite satisfying to get someone to tap out. Although its taken quite seriously at my club, I'm dying to submit someone via a WWE move! Something like the scorpion death lock would be sweet, or a mexican surfboard, maybe even a mandible claw, but id probably get DQ'd for that!

[Erskien_Parkour]

I've done a few Martial Arts

Karate
Tae Kwon Do
Judo
Muay Thai

Tae Kwon Do I did for longest, and thats probably why I'm so good at kicking people :P

I done Muay Thai most recently and it's helped me get my striking better.


I quit though, because I tend to goto classes, learn the basics or more if I really enjoy it. Then quit and join a different martial art, I do want to do BJJ next no matter how gay it is. :D

[Bappel]

I've been practicing Capoeira for 2 years, but with a 2 year break between the years. And now I'm on a break again. Its hard when you are out studying far away from the clubs. I really hope to be able to practice next year or very soon. I really miss it.
Never seen it as a good way of defending yourself, just a good way to strengthen your body and make it more flexible and healthy. Its just a fun sport to do. Everyone is gay(not in the homo way but in a happy way) and kind. Brazilian people are really friendly when not training but really hard and though instructors during training.

Oh, and what happened to our Street Fighter/Mortal Kombat/Tekken meet??

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Last year when i was in Spain, i'd sometimes go to the riverbed for a walk or take the bike, and there's usually be a group of people practicing capoeira somewhere abouts, was always interesting to watch