Combat sports involve one-on-one combat, such as boxing, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, fencing, muay Thai, sambo, Sanda, savate, tae kwon do, and vale tudo.
These sports have a long history with martial arts and have been featured in many Olympic contests. Continue reading to get updated!
Olympic Combat Sports
Wrestling, boxing, pankration, and other combat sports have existed for thousands of years; some even contested in the ancient Greece Olympic Games.
However, things have changed since the IOC recognizes only a few combat sports in the modern Summer Olympic Games.
The following are some of the most well-known combat sports in the modern Olympics.
Judo
Judo is a popular combat sport contested in the Olympics since 1964.
Developed in Japan by Jigoro Kano in the 1880s, it blends modified jujitsu techniques.
The art of Judo is regulated by the International Judo Federation, which hosts competitions like the World Judo Championships.
Otherwise, it was one of the first combat sports in the Olympics and is still an official sport for Paris 2024, Los Angeles 2028, and future events.
Women’s Judo became an official event in 1992 and is now a staple of the Olympics.
TaeKwonDo
Taekwondo is a traditional Korean combat sport that involves various kicking and punching techniques.
It was first introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul, South Korea Olympics.
Subsequently, Taekwondo was demonstrated again at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Since the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Taekwondo has been a medal event at the Olympics.
With over 20 million practitioners in more than 212 countries, Taekwondo is a popular combat sport.
Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport that has been around for thousands of years. It is a one-on-one fight with gloves and mouthguards until the referee stops.
Amateur boxing has been an Olympic sport since 1904, while women’s boxing was included in 2012. Its matches consist of three rounds in which five judges score.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) regulates Olympic boxing and hosts several worldwide competitions. However, other federations govern professional boxing.
Wrestling
Wrestling, a sport steeped in history, is one of the oldest combat sports known to humanity.
It was a prominent feature at the ancient Olympic games in 708 BCE, a testament to its enduring popularity.
Today, Wrestling boasts millions of active practitioners and has been a staple of the modern Olympics since 1896.
Three primary forms of Wrestling are practiced worldwide: Greco-Roman, Freestyle, and Collegiate Wrestling.
However, only freestyle (for men and women) and Greco-Roman wrestling (for men only) are included in the Olympics.
Fencing
Fencing is a popular combat sport. It has been part of the Olympic Games since 1896, when they were held in Athens.
Women’s fencing competition began in 1924 at the Paris Olympics.
Fencing has different styles, such as foil, epée, and saber, and can be played solo or as a team sport.
Karate
Karate originated in East Asia before entering Japan in the 1920s, when various martial arts schools used it to develop effective striking systems.
Today, it is a well-known combat sport practiced worldwide and regulated by the World Karate Federation.
Karate made its Olympic debut in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
But has been excluded from the 2024 Paris Olympics and may face the same fate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Conclusion
The Summer Olympic Games is one of the most prestigious tournaments in which countries compete to win gold medals.
It is held every four years and includes a variety of combat sports disciplines. Below is a list of combat Olympic sports:
- Taekwondo
- Judo
- Boxing
- Fencing
- Wrestling
We hope this article has helped you learn about Olympic combat sports.
