We all know about martial arts. Most people have seen martial arts through media. Competitions in the ring. The best example for this i boxing, which is more considered a sport. But that does not matter, since it is a fight between two persons. The media show almost only martial arts competitions, some more violent than others. There are times when the media show what the training is like. But thanks to the media's view of martial arts, the less violent forms have been put in the shadow. The media seem to think that a punch in the face or a kick in the chest is what martial arts is about. But what fun is it in the that?

What attracts many people into the world of martial arts is not the ways of how one can destroy someone with their bare hands, though there are people who actually are attracted by that. The thing that attracts people, is the ways a special move is performed. For instance, how someone who practises judo throws another person. It makes one think “Wow, that was cool. I want to learn that.” The media have missed this. There is more entertainment in the actual performance of a technique, then in seeing two competitors brawling. In competitions, there are more of the same techniques, which is boring after a while. But when it comes to performances, well, they are more fun to watch. There are more techniques. For instance, what we see most of in a karate match, or a Thai boxing match, are the punches and the kicks. But there is more than that. Of course, one has to be highly trained to become a world champion. That requires hours and hours of training. Why not follow a promising young practitioner through his training and see if he or she is successful? I mean, the more you know about someone, the more interesting it becomes. The media would earn more in that and in the same time, we get more out of it. We will see more what the training is like, how much one has to endure and how fun the training can be.

And also, martial arts is given the picture that it is just muscular persons who practise this or that art. That is wrong. There are a lot of people who are not muscular, they practise because it is fun and healthy. You also get discipline, respect and coordination. Actually, most people who practise martial arts practise because of the fun and because of the more healthy lifestyle you get. That is another reason why media gives the wrong picture of martial arts.

So to end this, i just want to say, do not start practising martial arts because of some competition. Practise because it is fun and healthy.