Martial arts without karate. Review on Judo

Four types of martial art which are not related to karate::

Arnis

Arnis is a weapon-bearing Filipino martial art derived from the native martial art of Kali (derived from the Tagalog word kalis ''sabre or sword''). Kali was outlawed in the Philippines after the Spanish takeover in 1764, and in order to preserve its moves they were inserted into Church approved religious plays first recorded in 1637. Arnis emerged as a fighting art based on these plays during the 1900's, encouraged by the American occupation of the islands and used to fight the Japanese in Second World War.

Due to its underground transmission under Spanish control, Arnis terminology derives largely from the Spanish language, mostly in a corrupted form.

Arnis uses dagger (daga) and sword (espada) techniques as well as single stick (solo baston) or double stick (doble baston) techniques, but it also uses a variety of empty hand offensive and defensive techniques in hand-to-hand combat. The name arnis, derived from Spanish arnes (literally ''harness'' but used to refer to implements used by stage actors in the aforementioned religious plays), properly refers to dagger and sword use alone; while eskrima, derived from Spanish esgrima (''the art of fencing'') properly refers to stick fighting; however, the divisions and distinctions have blurred between terms in Filipino martial arts (notice the Northern American reference to eskrima batones as ''Arnis sticks''). Aside from the martial aspects, mixed in with the combative art are spiritual practices based on Christian and native beliefs

Capoeira

The Brazilian martial art of capoeira has obscure origins; perhaps it was developed by African slaves in the seventeenth century in order to escape Portuguese captors (combat training was forbidden by their Portuguese masters and so they hid their movements in the form of a dance). Until the nineteenth century capoeira was associated with lower classes, especially in their battles with the police. This led to a law in 1890 prohibiting capoeira. Fortunately, over time attitudes shifted. 1927 was the founding of the first Capoeira academy; then the sport was recognized by the government in 1937 and finally became the national sport of Brazil in 1972.

There are two main styles: Capoeira Angola (the traditional form emphasizing individuality and learnt by emulation, linked to the African-Brazilian religion of Candomble) and Capoeira Regional (developed in the capoeira academies with emphasis on movement sequences, standardized learning methods, and its use mainly for self defence). There is also a newer style, Capoeira Atual, which is an attempt to merge the two styles.

In capoeira, two players (known as jugadores, Capoeiras, or Capoeiristas) play a game (jogo) in a circular ring (roda) moving in a freestyle stance (ginga) while performed to music (people play instruments and sing; these musicians also compete on occasion). They can use feet techniques (it is theorized that slaves had to develop legwork if they had their hands bound together) involving all sorts of kicks (very elaborate; many involve jumping or spinning), sweeps, trips, takedowns, or various acrobatics. These technical applications of these moves emphasize attacking (ataque), counterattacking (contragolpe), defending (defesa), and escaping (esquiva).

Capoeira is now slowly spreading outside of Brazil; it is seen in various media and a very watered down version pops up in some karate competitions (for example, the National Black Belt League tournament circuit allows a so-called ''capoeira kick'' in open kata competition).

Pankration

This is a Greek martial art meaning ''all (pan) powers (kratos)'', first documented in the Olympics of 648 B.C. This competitive sport involved two combatants performing in a small ring around 4 by 4 metres with a referee outfitted with a rod to enforce the rules. This martial art was characterized as particularly brutal since all techniques, save biting or eye gouging, were allowed with no protective gear: punches, kicks, elbowing, kneeing, chokes, and joint locks to any part of the body full force. Kicks were generally applied as sweeps or to the groin, or sometimes to the upper body if the opponent was tired or on the ground. The matches could involve grappling if both people were on the floor. Someone would win by submission, knockout, or occasionally death (especially due to chokes).

Pankration is the earliest documented martial art (both in written records and on Greek vases). It may have been introduced by Greek warriors to India in 326 B.C. during Alexander the Great's invasion and might have been the forerunner of East Asian martial arts. However, it is more likely that East Asia developed its martial arts independently of any Greek influence.

Incidentally, pankration is still practised today in a modified and revived form (known as Mu Tau) under the encouragement of martial artist Jim Arvanaitis.

Savate

Savate is a French martial art based on seventeenth century streetfighting which does not owe anything to East Asian martial arts. Two styles arose in the seventeenth century: chausson marseillais (''Marseillaise fighting''), relying mostly on kicks; and savate, using open hand blows and low kicks. In 1845, Charles Lecour combined savate with the high kicks of chausson marseillais and closed hands of boxing to arrive at modern savate (also known today as la boxe française ''French boxing''). Then in 1899, Maitre Charlemont wrote a treatise on savate and included fencing influences such as lunging.

Today, the modern sport incorporates whip-like kicks and strong hand techniques with points being awarded for contact only between two participants. It has gained popularity this century in French Europe and abroad. For example, it was a demonstration sport at the 1924 Paris Olympics; it is a part of the French army basic training; and there is an international tournament held every two years.