swap_horiz Karate Alternatives

1

Judo

Founded in Japan by Jigoro Kano in the late nineteenth century, judo centers on throws and close-contact grappling. Trai...

Japan Olympic Grappling Throws

9.21 Excellent

2

Muay Thai

Known internationally as Thai boxing, Muay Thai is a striking martial art and combat sport originating in Thailand. Its...

Traditional Ring Combat Sport Southeast Asia

8.87 Great

3

Capoeira

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art rooted in African traditions, combining athletic movements with musical accompanimen...

Music Traditional Acrobatic Brazilian

8.44 Great

4

Jeet Kune Do

Bruce Lee developed Jeet Kune Do around the search for efficient, direct responses in combat. Its roots include Wing Chu...

Modern American Hybrid Striking

8.38 Great

5

Sumo

Sumo is a traditional Japanese martial art and sport practiced within a circular dohyō ring. Two rikishi wrestlers compe...

Japan Traditional Sport Wrestling

8.27 Great

6

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art characterized by its distinctive focus on kicking techniques, speed, and agility. Orig...

Korean Modern Olympic Striking

8.22 Great

7

Lethwei

Lethwei is a brutal full-contact martial art originating in Myanmar. It’s notable for its bare knuckle rules allowing he...

Sport Striking Myanmar Bareknuckle

8.16 Great

8

Pencak Silat

Pencak Silat is a traditional martial art originating in Indonesia and Malaysia. It’s notable for its comprehensive syst...

Traditional Indonesian Striking Grappling

8.11 Great

9

Kendo

Kendo is a Japanese martial art utilizing bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (bogu) to develop striking skills,...

Japan Sport Budo Sword

7.95 Good

10

Kudo

Kudo is a Japanese combat sport blending elements of Judo and Savate, emphasizing grappling, striking techniques, and co...

Japan Sport Hybrid Striking

7.91 Good

11

Kalaripayattu

Kalaripayattu is an ancient Indian martial art originating in Kerala, characterized by its fluid movements, striking tec...

Indian Traditional Striking Weapons

7.82 Good

12

Kuk Sool Won

Kuk Sool Won is a comprehensive Korean martial art blending striking, grappling, joint manipulation, and energy work (So...

Korean Traditional Hybrid Ancestral

7.73 Good

13

Shorinji Kempo

Shorinji Kempo is a Japanese martial art blending striking techniques with grappling and mental discipline, emphasizing...

Modern Japan Hybrid Striking

7.50 Good

14

Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art developed in the early 20th century that combines striking techniques like punches a...

Korean Traditional Striking Kicking

7.41 Good

15

Kyudo

Kyudo, the Japanese archery style, emphasizes mental discipline and precise movement through a rigorous training system...

Japan Traditional Archery Budo

7.34 Good

16

Nippon Kempo

Nippon Kempo is a Japanese martial art emphasizing practical self-defense techniques developed primarily during the Meij...

Armor Modern Japan Striking

7.27 Good

17

Naginatajutsu

Naginatajutsu is a traditional Japanese martial art utilizing a polearm – the naginata – employing techniques of slashin...

Japan Traditional Budo Armed

7.00 Good

18

Soo Bahk Do

Soo Bahk Do is a Korean martial art emphasizing powerful linear strikes, blocks, and joint manipulations developed durin...

Korean Traditional Striking Kicking

6.67 Fair

19

Thang Ta

Thang Ta is a traditional Vietnamese martial art utilizing a wooden staff, rattan shield, and sword to develop striking,...

Indian Traditional Combat Sport Striking

6.56 Fair

20

Taido

Taido is a Japanese martial art emphasizing precise, flowing movements and mental focus through unarmed combat drills, t...

Modern Japan Acrobatic Striking

6.44 Fair