Karate

What is Karate?
Karate (空手), meaning “empty hand”, is a Japanese martial art that developed on the island of Okinawa in the late 19th and early 20th century. Influenced by local self-defense methods (Tode) and Chinese martial arts, Karate gradually evolved into a structured system of strikes, kicks, and blocks.

In 1922, Gichin Funakoshi introduced Karate to mainland Japan, where it was modernized, codified, and spread through universities. Over time, different schools (ryu) were established, such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, and later full-contact systems like Kyokushin.

Today, Karate is one of the most practiced martial arts worldwide, blending tradition, sport, and philosophy. In Europe, it has thrived since the 1950s and is widely taught to children, adults, and competitive athletes.

Why Train Karate?

• Popular & Accessible – schools in almost every European country.

• Structured Training – clear belt system, kata, sparring.

• Self-Defense & Fitness – combines strikes, blocks, and conditioning.

• Competition Opportunities – Olympic sport (Tokyo 2020) via WKF.

• For All Ages – popular with children, adults, and athletes alike.

The 5 Main Styles in Europe

1. Shotokan – long stances, strong strikes, most widespread.

1. Kyokushin – full-contact, high intensity, strong in Eastern Europe.

1. Wado-ryu – blends karate with jiu-jitsu, fluid movements.

1. Goju-ryu – mix of hard strikes and soft circular techniques.

1. Shito-ryu – large kata syllabus, balanced style.

How Does Karate Compare?

• Vs Taekwondo – Karate is more balanced between hands and feet, Taekwondo emphasizes kicks.

• Vs Kickboxing – Karate includes kata, tradition, and philosophy; Kickboxing focuses purely on sport fighting.

• Vs Kung Fu – Karate is more structured and codified, while Kung Fu covers many diverse systems.

Karate in Europe

Karate arrived in Europe in the 1950s and grew rapidly. Today, federations exist in nearly every country, with WKF tournaments across the continent.