Karate vs. Kung Fu
Who would win between a karate kid and a kung fu kid? With the release of the latest Karate Kid movie, which should have been named the “Kung Fu Kid”, every child is asking this question.
As a Kenpo karate instructor, I might be expected to be biased. But the first point I want to make is, it does not matter which you study. What is most important is that you find a great martial arts instructor who can motivate you to be your best.
Kenpo karate wheel kicks
There are only so many ways you can strike with your hands or feet (or elbows and knees for that matter). Many of the tools are the same, they just call them different things. Take the kicks for example. In Kenpo they call it a wheel kick, in kung fu a roundhouse kick. They are the same kick. The front snap kick is almost identical between karate and kung fu. This is not surprising since karate was derived from kung fu in China and from Te on the island of Okinawa centuries ago.
The kung fu roundhouse kick
In general, the karate kid utilises a straight ahead linear power attack, with the idea of a one-strike knockout. The karate kid will usually stand in a deeper stance. The kung fu kid moves in a circular motion using parries to redirect attacks, in a more upright boxer-like stance. But keep in mind there are dozens of different styles within both karate and kung fu that vary widely in stances and techniques. With a skilled practitioner, kung fu and karate are equally effective. In over 20 years of competing and coaching open tournaments, I have seen many champions of both martial arts. There has been no clear victor in this battle.
Kenpo karate, the style we teach, is unique in that it is a mixture of the hard powerful linear movements of karate and the soft, graceful, flowing, circular movements of kung fu.
Which One for You ?
Don’t get caught up in the hype surrounding this movie. If you are sincere about becoming a karate kid or kung fu kid, pay a visit to the local martial arts studio, whatever type it may be, and make a judgement for yourself which style is the best for you.
In conclusion, there is no winner—they both are equally effective if the practitioner is a highly-skilled martial artist.
Well said Matt. When I was training in Tae Kwon Do the power wheel kick was called a Turning kick.
And it is probably identical as well, right Sinem?
I respectfully disagree Sensei Matt, I feel Kenpo is superiour =D and as our particular system includes so many aspects of fighting – ground, stand up, weapons, Kata/Forms etc. I feel when trained & perfected properly and effectively it is the only intellegent solution. .. but I’m not bias or anything.. LOL, maybe a little bit. But I do agree that it all starts with intent, keep up your training, never give up and you will acheive anything you set out to. To learn to defend your self or whatever you choose to accomplish. Z
Well, well, well, a little dissent amongst the ranks. Now that is what makes for an interesting blog. Anyone feel free to chime in. Of course I would expect any Kenpoist to be a little biased because we have a very practical, street effective system. But never forget, we have borrowed much from other arts to make our system what it is. As I am fond of saying “It’s all good”. Thanks for stirring up the pot Zoltan, well done.
I respectfully disagree Sensei Zalton, “BUT” if one binds them selves with one discipline one will never find there true potential & to not know why would you ever start!, All styles have a need as long as there students believe & ask questions. As a question asked that teaches all, is an Important Lesson learned. Cheers Shandor 😛
The master said to the student standing on a bridge “Focus on the fresh clean water coming to the bridge & not the dirty old water that has passed under it”
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Take in Everything, Keep what you can use and throw away what you don’t need!
Cheers
Shandor
🙂
Good point Shandor, as the great Bruce Lee said, “you must find the truth in combat” for yourself, and it differs among everyone. Zoltan, would you rather be taught by a poor Kenpo instructor or a good Kung Fu instructor if you only had the two in your town?
Going back to the original article i dnt think it matters which style you choose. I love ours based on the wide variety of things we learn Matt is continually challenging us to reach our full potential which is the main part of the learning process. Being able to attempt something that you never have tried before and if it is done well first go or struggle the first 100times its not giving up on yourself……but also having fun while you do it. So the style itself shouldnt matter as long as ur trying something new cos lifes about the experience gained.
Thanks Gianni for your insights, especially the part about not giving up. It is our mantra. And yes, karate should be fun, life is short.
Hi Guys! Sorry been away hectic in the US > didn’t mean to “stir the pot” n leave you hanging 🙂
respectfully Mr Lim, I didn’t say there was no need for other stiles – I believe all stiles in their own right have a purpose and each have their own special qualities. I am not someone who is not willing to learn or try new things as many people would agree, I ask you to remember my 4th dan presentation for example on Krav Maga.
I should have mentioned in my previous comment but for my purpose and situation or possible altercation venues – This is why I feel Kenpo is king.
It teaches to deal with multiple attackers standing or on the ground quickly and devastatingly.
“movement without meaning has no purpose” – Grand Master Ed Parker
as long as there is a poignant meaning behind the move of your style it defiantly deserves to be known and mastered in my opinion.
Sensei Matt > to answer your very difficult question.. a) a true Kenpoist can not be poor ;P JJ ofcourse the teacher has a major effect on sway of skill but “all things being equal” – I would endeavor to learn all I could from both sides, because only after knowing a thing completely can it be possible to carry a balanced view – Bearing in mind as stated in my previous statement, I have studied a few martial arts (as have you) and the questions that are posed in certain situations after all else fails in my mind CAN be answered with American Kenpo.
but as I said before “But I do agree that it all starts with intent, keep up your training, never give up and you will acheive anything you set out to. To learn to defend your self or whatever you choose to accomplish. Z”
Some good points Zoltan, and I will not argue against Kenpo as a devastatingly effective street martial art, but as you know Grandmaster Parker trained alongside Bruce Lee (Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do), Jay Will (jujitsu) and many others, so Kenpo includes many other arts already. You can definitely see their influences on Kenpo today.
I do, however, agree with your assessment about the need to master one style before moving on to another. There are far too many people “dabbling” in many styles who lack the true knowledge and wisdom that any particular art has to offer.
Respectfully Sensei Levitt I agree with you on most points but being from a Shaolin Kung Fu background I have been taught to try to keep an open mind ” this is hard in this day & age” but if you stay focused on the style you learn it will prepare you for life as we know it today, But to close the door on others is both unfair to yourself & others, to know is good but to perfect is wisdom. Without it all we would have nothing! & with out legends like Bruce Lee & Grandmaster Parker we would still be clubbing each other with any thing we can get our hands on, this is not martial arts–this is street brawling. In saying all of this we all believe in the same fundamental points & work to achieve self satisfaction & self respect, so if you want to achieve anything in life keep the door open ! Cheers
Well Said Sensei Matt & Mr Lim,
I think we are all on the same page. Yet we all have our favorites 😉
May I ask a question? out of your “favorite” – and I’m not saying what ever your favorite may be is the best or not.. just want to know what is YOUR favorite element of your favorite style for yourself – IF you can pick one > I know its a really tough question, but give it a try.
Everyone please chime in if you have an opinion.
Good question Zoltan, our style Kenpo Freestyle features many arts in it–I believe that makes it very effective.
Boxing is very important in our system for good reason–on the street it is one of the most practical self defence system there is. The footwork, evasions, and chain punches that incorporate the entire body’s power make it devastating. We add the elbows and knees of Muay Thai to make it even more powerful.
Our weapons skills are comprehensive, including bokken, katana, bo staff, kali sticks, combat cane, and now with Weapons Master, knife-fighting. There are very few systems in the world that contain this many weapons skills.
Our grappling moves (well over a hundred of them) are very simple and effective for self defence. Escapes and reversals against choke holds, lapel grabs, bear hugs–you name the attack, we have a defence to it.
Finally, the upper-level American Kenpo katas are artistry in motion. They are absolutely beautiful and inspirational to watch. How they flow from one move to the next with amazingly fast hand strikes reminds me of “rolling thunder”.
Well Said To All!, you know what if every blog you put up Sensei Matt brings out so much wisdom, I think you have achieved your goal!. It is great to see the passion and true wisdom expressed by the very people we watched grow up into awesome martial artists; I take my hat off to you all, You Do The Club Proud! Oh & one more thing “The wise man asks himself the reason of his mistakes. The fool asks others.”
Yours Sincerely Shandor Cheers
Now the question Z my favorite is not confined to one style but is shared by all styles, If by favorite you me why do I love what I do, Well because I still can “Just” 🙂 My favorite element would be how what ever system you do it moulds you to become a good & compassionate human being and at the same time giving you the abilities and skills to defend your self and the others around you with confidence. “Focus”
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