Kickboxing
"Kickboxer" redirects here. For the Jean-Claude Van Damme film, see Kickboxer (1989 film). Kickboxing Focus Kicking, striking Hardness Full-contact Country of origin Japan Creator Osamu Noguchi [1] Tatsuo Yamada Famous practitioners see list of kickboxers Parenthood Karate, Muay Thai, Boxing, Taekwondo Descendant arts Shoot boxing Kickboxing First played Japan, late 1950s Characteristics Contact Yes Mixed gender No Type Combat sport Presence Country or region Worldwide Olympic No World Games 2017 (invitational) Kickboxing is a group of stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate mixed with boxing. [2] [3] Kickboxing is practiced for self-defence, general fitness, or as a contact sport. [4] [5] [6] Japanese kickboxing originated in the late 1950s, with competitions held since then. [7] [8] [9] [10] American kickboxing originated in the 1970s and was ...