People who have contributed to the development and distribution different types martial arts - a great variety. In this article, an attempt was made to acquaint readers with the outstanding masters of the twentieth century, i.e. by our contemporaries.
1. Jet Li. Wushu

Real name is Li Liangjie. Was born in 1963. in China, and at the age of 11 he became the PRC champion in all-around. By 1979. Li becomes a four-time wushu champion. At the age of 17, he began acting in films, where he received the nickname "Jet", which means "reactive". Today Jet Li is one of the most famous Chinese actors, who is fluent in martial arts.

2. Fedor Emelianenko. Mixed martial arts(MMA)

Russian athlete, born in 1976. in the Luhansk region. Performs in mixed martial arts (MMA - Mixed Martial Arts). Is a four-time MMA champion in heavyweight; has repeatedly confessed the best fighter in its category. Fedor remained invincible for almost 10 years, which has never happened in the history of MMA.

3. Bruce Lee. Kung Fu

A world famous actor who made a huge contribution to the popularization of martial arts. Kung Fu began to practice in his youth, where he showed incredible abilities. Wing Chun became the main style for Bruce Lee; he later developed his own style Jeet Kune Do - "the way of the leading fist".

4. Muhammad Ali. Boxing

Boxing legend, multiple champion world light heavyweight title. Real name - Cassius Clay. He made his debut in 1960. Muhammad Ali took the name when he joined the Nation of Islam organization. In 1999. was named "the athlete of the century". He is famous for using psychological pressure on opponents, roughly treating and humiliating them before the fight. The fight with Chuck Wepner became the inspiration for the movie Rocky.

5. Alexander Karelin. Classic wrestling

Threefold Olympic champion on Greco-Roman wrestling in the category up to 130 kg. Favorite trick - "reverse belt" - brought many victories to Alexander.

6. Masutatsu Oyama. Karate

One of the most important karate masters, has a 10th dan. Masutatsu is the founder of Kyokushin karate, the creator of the Kyokushin organization (IKO), which he headed until his death in 1994. He is famous for the fact that he could chop off the horns of the bull with a blow of the palm.

7. Buako Por Pramuk. Muay Thai

Two-time champion K-1 MAX, the first fighter to do it twice. Born in Thailand, at the age of 15 he began performing at the Por. Pramuk ". The nickname "Buako" means "White Lotus". Prior to K-1, Buako received several championship titles in Muay Thai. In 2011. he spent 8 fights, all of them ended in his victory.

8. Benny Urkides. Kickboxing

American Kickboxing Champion. Benny was born in 1952. In Los Angeles. At the age of 3 he began to engage in boxing, and at the age of 5 he was already performing in the ring. At the age of 14 he received a black belt. For his sports career, which lasted 27 years (according to other sources, 24 years), did not lose any of 66 fights.

9. Wally J. Jujutsu

Founder of Small Circle Jiu-Jitsu. This direction is based on the movement of the brush in a small circle, which makes it possible to carry out painful holds and grips most effectively. Wally has a 10th Dan in Jiu Jitsu and is listed as one of the 100 Most Influential Persons in Martial Arts. Author of "10 Principles of the Small Circle", compatible with almost any style. Was a close friend and sparring partner of Bruce Lee.

10. Kharlampiev Anatoly. Sambo

One of the founders of sambo wrestling. From the age of 6 he acted as a gymnast in the circus, and at the age of 16 he was already known as a good fighter, trained by his father, a boxer, and his grandfather, a specialist in fist fights. He was fluent in French wrestling, English and French boxing, studied judo under the guidance of Vasily Oshchepkov. In 1938. headed the Sambo Federation and worked on its distribution and development.

: marya-iskysnica.livejournal.com

We are accustomed to watching with fascination how the heroes of our favorite action films are artistically fighting. Almost every actor in this genre in the 90s had sports training... Today we will remember the best of the best who have achieved success both on the tatami and on the set.

In this rating, we tried to take into account the totality of merits: both in sports and in cinema. It is clear that most of the fighter actors have not met in official fights. Therefore, it is impossible to say who is objectively stronger as an athlete. And the acting is done well for everyone. And only after adding up the successes in sports and in the cinema, we received this rating.

1. Chuck Norris

Sports career: Who doesn't know Chuck? Everyone knows Chuck! He's cool not only in films, but also in competitions. The data differ, but his statistics are as follows: in the period from 1964 to 1974, Chuck Norris had 195 fights. 183 of them won, two lost and 10 ended either without a result or a draw. Norris won 30 tournaments and was the World Professional Middle Weight Karate Champion 6 times. And the list of his awards in other martial arts can be enumerated for a very long time. But, again, the data on Chuck's achievements varies. In order not to upset Chuck Norris (who is more dear to himself), let's keep silent about a couple of "dubious" fights.

Actor career: To be honest, Chuck Norris has been filming and filming no more than the rest of the fighter actors. He's more busy with his martial arts school. But his roles in 23 films in Hollywood, as well as the series "Cool Walker" made him a star, or rather, an idol! In addition, Chuck Norris graced the movie "The Expendables 2" with his appearance. We are waiting for Chuck in the third part!

2 . Don Wilson

Sports career: Don Wilson received the nickname "Dragon" for his success in kickboxing. The story of his victories begins in 1979, when Wilson won the PKA (Professional Karate Association or Professional Karate Association) championship. A year later, he became the world champion according to the VKA (World Karate Association or World Karate Association). Over the next 11 years, he won this title 10 times in three weight categories and according to versions of five organizations.

By the way, it was Wilson who received the largest prize in kickboxing history in 60 thousand dollars (for the victory over Branko Sikatic)

Actor career:"Bloody Fist", "Ring of Fire", "Future Strike", "Black Belt", "Bloodthirsty", "Die But Try" - these are just some of the films in which Don Wilson was involved. Moreover, Wilson did not remain within the framework of exclusively militants. His acting arsenal includes roles in science fiction, drama, thriller.

3. Benny Urquides

Sports career: Sport has been in Benny's blood since childhood. Dad is a professional boxer, and mom has been wrestling for a long time. Received a black belt in karate at the age of 14. But the main sporting success Benny is associated with kickboxing. He performed in various associations and achieved record number victories. According to various sources, he held the palm in world kickboxing from 24 to 27 years. The data is different, but this does not diminish the scale of the achievements.

Actor career: Benny Urquides appeared on screens quite often in the nineties. Urkides starred, for example, in films with Jackie Chan - "Diner on Wheels", "Dragon Forever". At the same time, there are several other interesting films in his track record: "Murder at Gross Point" and the relatively recent film "1408", which was released on the screen in 2007.

4. Bill Wallace

Sports career: Wallace's sports career was a success to the envy. He won 23 consecutive bouts from 1974 to 1980 and was the middleweight champion of the PKA (Professional Karate Association). And who knows, maybe he would have been successful in judo, if not an injury to his right knee in 1966, which is why Wallace began to practice karate.

Actor career: With Wallace's acting career, things are a little different. He has starred in several films such as Fight to Win, The Silent Killers, The American Hunter and the Tough Walker TV series, where he played himself. By the way, in the credits he is listed as Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.

5. Dolph Lundgren:

Sports career: In Rocky IV, Stallone defeats the hero Lundgren. And, meanwhile, on sporting events not many could defeat Dolph! From the age of 14 he was engaged in kyokushinkai karate and even studied a little under the founder of the style, Masatutsu Oyama. At various tournaments, he performed in the absolute weight category, was European Champion in 1980 and 1981, in 1982 he won the Australian Kyokushinkai Karate Championships. Took part in the open absolute Japanese karate championship. Later, Dolph became interested in kickboxing, and, due to the perseverance of the producers, bodybuilding. But that is another story!

Actor career: To conquer screens Dolph (by the way, his real name is Hans), began in 1983. A year later, he got the role of Ivan Drago in the film "Rocky 4", in which he showed his torso and the ability to distort the Russian language. Lundgren was noticed and actively invited to the shooting. He is best known as an actor thanks to his roles in the films: Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991), Universal Soldier (1992), Johnny Mnemonic (1995), The Peacemaker (1997), The Cleaner (1998) ... Then he changed his role to director, and recently returned to acting in the "Expendables" franchise.

6. Billy Blanks

Sports career: Billy Blanks is known to someone as an actor, to someone as the founder of a special kind of fitness - tai-bo. And in the late 70s and early 80s, he was famous primarily as a fighter! In 1975 he won his first Amateur Athletic Union Champion title. Subsequently, he will win it five times, seven times will win world tournaments. And in 1982, Blanks was inducted into the Hall of Fame. In addition, Blanks holds a 7th degree black belt in taekwondo and five other martial arts belts.

Actor career:

As an actor, Blanks made his debut in the 80s - he participated in several little-known action adventure games. Then the producers from Hollywood noticed Billy's game and invited him to participate in several high-profile films, including Kissing the Girls, The Last Boy Scout, AWOL. In addition, Blanks has directed several training films about Tai Bo.

7. Jean-Claude Van Damme:

Sports career: What kind of guy was he ?! Indeed, what kind of fighter was Van Damme? Opinions vary. To begin with, he gave preference to cinema early enough in relation to other fighting actors. Having been engaged in karate from the age of 12, he became a member of the Belgian national karate team in 1976, and on March 8, 1980 became the European champion in karate, knocking out the German Dietrich Targills. This is where the reliable facts about Van Damme's victories end, and the myths invented by journalists begin.

Actor career: Van Damme began to conquer Hollywood in the mid-80s. With his perseverance, he made sure that he was taken on the role of Frank Dukes in the movie "Bloodsport" (1988), and also tried himself in the roles of the KGB officers in the films "Do not retreat and do not give up" and "Black Eagle". Then there was Kickboxer and a number of other martial arts films. Four years later, his first successful box-office film "Universal Soldier" (1992) was released, after which the actor began to be invited to more serious roles, but still with constant fights in the plot - "Tough Target" (1993) and "Time Patrol" (1994 ). The last successful film with Van Damme is The Expendables 2. Then his career began to decline a little, and Van Damme is now trying to look for himself in directing.

8. Mark Dacascos:

Sports career: Mark's parents are martial artists known in the United States. Father Al Dakoskos was a martial arts teacher. He also became the coach of Mark, who, starting from the age of 7, participated in more than 200 tournaments. In 1982 he won the European and Italian Kung Fu and Karate Championships in lightweight, took "gold" at the Karate Championship in Hamburg for two years in a row. But in the end, he preferred an acting career.

Actor career: Mark has come a long way from bit parts to main roles. On his account there are such works as: "Only the Strongest", "The Road", "Holiness", "Weeping Honorary Citizen", "The Island of Dr. Moreau" and many others. But in the United States, he is best known as the performer of the role of the musician Eric Drive in the television drama The Raven.

9. Sony Chiba

Sports career: At a young age, Chiba was engaged in gymnastics and even almost got into the Japanese national team. But the injury changed his plans and Sony, then known as Sadaho Maeda, began to practice judo. Later he began to learn kyokushinkai karate from Masatutsu Oyama himself. There is little data on Sonny's success in this sport. For example, the fact of his performance at a tournament in Hawaii organized by Oyama is known. In addition, Sony Chiba is known to have a black belt in kekushinkai.

Actor career: Sonya Chiba's acting career began in Japan, where in the late 60s he even created the Japan Action Club, whose goal was to help film actors learn martial arts. There are many interesting films in Chiba's filmography, like Street Fighter, for example. His main creation is Doomed to Solitude, where he played the role of Masatutsu Oyama, the founder of the Kyokushinkai style. Sony also appeared in Tarantino's Kill Bill.

10. Talgat Nigmatullin:

Sports career: Perhaps Talgat Nigmatullin was born not at the best time for domestic karate. His talent in sports was revealed late. He became interested in karate while studying at a circus school, but during this time he became the Champion of Uzbekistan and the owner of a black belt. There is information that he took 6th place at the USSR Championship. In addition, Nigmatullin was a master of sports in judo.

Actor career: The beginning of Talgat Nigmatullin's career was not very memorable - several roles in films from the Uzbekfilm studio. Real glory awaited him after, in the role of Saleh in the film "Pirates of the XX century". He became recognizable and loved by the audience. Then there were roles in the films "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn", "Alone and Without a Weapon", "The Right to Shoot." He has been compared to Bruce Lee. Tragic death Talgata Nigmatullina made the parallels even more obvious.

Karate - martial arts, defense and attack system. His homeland is Japan.

At first, karate was a system hand-to-hand combat and was intended solely for self-defense. However, time passed, and karate gained considerable fame thanks to demonstration performances, which are demonstrated by the best karatekas in the world.

Experienced athletes can smash a block of ice with a fist or smash a huge wooden block with one blow of their feet into chips, smash stacks of roofing tiles with their heads or elbows.

Unlike other Japanese martial arts, such as judo or jiu-jitsu, in karate the degree of contact between the opponents is minimal. To crush the opponent, athletes use precise targeted punches and kicks, trying to hit the most important points of the body.

History of karate

Karate came to Japan at the end of the 19th century from the island of Okinawa. It was once the center of an independent kingdom called Ryukyu, which worked closely in trade with Japan and China. In the 17th century, Ryukyu was conquered by the samurai of the Satsuma principality, as a result of which it became its vassal. In Western literature, there is an opinion that the inhabitants of Okinawans constantly waged a guerrilla struggle against the Japanese invaders, and therefore created such an art as karate.

At the end of the 19th century, Ryukyu's status as a vassal state was abolished. Okinawa became the prefecture of the Japanese Empire. The next recruitment into the army began, and the doctors drew attention to the fact that many recruits from Okinawa were in a beautiful physical form... And all because they were engaged in a martial art called tote. It is not surprising that over time, tote was included in the curriculum of Okinawan schools, in the lower grades this martial art was taught as physical education. This was a definite plus. But the downside was that karate began to resemble paramilitary gymnastics, and not a martial art.

At the beginning of the 20th century, karate became the main compulsory training program for the soldiers of the Japanese army. The value of the martial art was confirmed by the Russo-Japanese War.

At the beginning of the century, Gichin Funakoshi, in the company of like-minded people, began promoting karate, first in Okinawa, and then in Japan. In 1924, the first public karate club was opened at Keio University in Tokyo.

Over time, karate quickly conquered all of Japan. In many ways, the reason for the success was hidden in the stormy activities of Funakoshi. He lectured at universities, organized groups to study karate and showed everyone his techniques. In 1936, the first Shotokan school saw the world. There Funakoshi began teaching a style that he named after the school. Over time, Shotokan became a classic karate style. It is characterized by:

• Low racks;
• Sharp and short blows;
• Fast and accurate strikes.

In Okinawa, at the beginning of the 20th century, a rather difficult economic situation developed. As a result local residents I had to move en masse to the main Japanese islands and look for work. Karate also moved there with them.

Note that after the defeat in Japan in the war in 1945, the American occupation authorities imposed a ban on all Japanese martial arts, except karate. It was considered only a variety Chinese gymnastics... In 1948, the Japanese Karate Association (JKA) was formed, led by Funakoshi. It brought together the leading experts in this type of martial arts. Since that time, karate began to develop both as a sport and as a system of self-defense.

Over time, the martial art of karate became more and more popular. Over the years, the division into sports and traditional directions has become more and more vivid in it. Note that the split also affected the Shotokan.

Let us emphasize that in the Soviet Union, karate was banned along with bodybuilding. Only in 1978 the USSR Sports Committee issued a number of orders on the development of karate. The first USSR Karate Championship was held in 1981.

Features of karate

Karate training is based on three techniques. It:

• Kihon - basic technique;
• Kumite - training in pairs. She, in turn, is divided into a conditional duel and a free fight (it is called jiyu-kumite). Note that jiyu-kumite competitions are held. Karate fighters can kick or punch the head and body above the waist. Each hit is assessed by the judges on a three-point scale. Competitions are held in several weight categories;
• Kata - formal exercises, the so-called shadow boxing - with an invisible opponent or rivals. The movements in such exercises are divided into two types: defensive and attacking. Kata competitions are also held, both in singles and in group categories.

Now let's talk about directions, styles and schools of karate. So, styles began to emerge even during the appearance of karate in Japan. For example, the following styles of karate were officially registered in 1930:

• Shito-ryu;
• Goju-Ryu;
• Wado-ryu;
• Shotokan.

They are the largest.

Note that new styles are constantly emerging, like mushrooms after rain. This is because every talented karate master contributes something of his own and thus creates a new style. In addition, such cases were recorded when a master, having passed one of the schools, left it and created his own style, which differed from the already existing one only in name.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that today there are over 200 different styles and schools of karate. In addition to the four above, we will name others, the most famous:

• Kyokushin;
• Ashihara Karate;
• Kosiki;
• Fudokan;
• Shorin-ryu;
• Jyoshinmon Shorin-ryu;
• Watie Ryu;
• Kyokushin Budokai;
• Horse-juku;
• Kudo.

Degrees and belts in karate

The following degrees are distinguished in karate:

• Student ("kyu");
• Workshops ("given").

The number of kyu and dans is usually 10, but this number may differ in different schools and styles. Note that the kyu number decreases with the growth of the karateka's skill, and the dan number, on the contrary, increases. You can determine the degree of a karateka using a belt.
The belt in karate is called obi. Its color indicates the skill level of the athlete. So, a darker color, for example, indicates a higher degree. In most karate schools, the junior belt is white and the oldest is black. Colored belts generally correspond to apprenticeship degrees, while black belts correspond to workshops.

Today, the belt system in some karate styles is as follows:

• White belt - 9 kyu;
• Yellow belt - 8 kyu;
• Orange belt - 7 kyu;
• Green belt - 6 kyu;
• Light blue - 5 kyu;
• Blue - 4 kyu;
• Light brown - 3 kyu;
• Brown - 2 kyu;
• Dark brown - 1 kyu;
• Black - from 1 to 10 dan (10 dan, as a rule, given posthumously).

Karate outfit

Like any other martial arts, karate requires a special form for training. It is usually called a kimono, although this is not entirely true. After all, a kimono is a traditional clothing for the Japanese. The karate suit is officially called karategi. However, the name kimono still stuck. Kimono for karate consists of pants and a jacket of a special cut. They are made of thick cotton.

Karate organizations

Each major karate style has its own international federation (and sometimes several international federations at once, as, for example, in the case of Kyokushinkai), which unites national federations operating on the territory of one country. Each such federation has its own systems of requirements, degrees, belts, and so on.

The All Japan Karate Federation appeared in 1957, and after 2 years, in 1959, the European Karate Union was created. In 1970, the World Unified Karate Organization saw the world. In 1990, some organizations merged into The World Federation karate. She represents the interests of karate in the International Olympic Committee... Currently, more than 20 million athletes are engaged in karate worldwide. The Karate World Championships have been held regularly since 1970 and the European Championships since 1971.

But the Russian Karate Federation was created only in 2003. As of the mid-2000s, there were about 200 karate clubs in our country, where about 200 thousand people were engaged. At the moment, the President of the Russian Karate Federation is S.P. Choi.

Notable karate fighters

One of the most famous karate fighters in the world is 43-year-old Frenchman Alexander Biamonti. He is a member of the national karate federation team. Possesses many titles international competitions... Alexander Biamonti is a multiple winner and medalist of the World and European Championships.

It will not be superfluous to name the name of another famous Frenchman, Kristoff Pinn. Since childhood, he dreamed of being the best fighter in the world. He began his career in martial arts at the age of 5. His hard work and love for karate, already at the age of 17, led him to the gold of the French Championship. Kristoff Pinna holds the Guinness Book of Records for breaking a board with his foot in a jump at the highest height (board 2.5 centimeters at a height of three meters and three centimeters). This record has been held since 1989. Today, as a world-class karate expert, Pinna regularly conducts seminars and master classes around the world. Moreover, it is personal trainer many stars of sports, politics and show business.
In addition, I would like to mention another famous Frenchwoman - Tiffany Fanjat. She is a three-time world champion and winner of the European championships. The BBC channel has repeatedly included Tiffani in the list the best karatekas the world.

To become strong and courageous, to be always healthy and calm, you need to go in for sports. Today I want to introduce you to great athletes - martial arts masters who at all times will cause pride in their compatriots. It's great that there are Russians among such people!

Jet Li (China)

Real name is Li Liangjie. Was born in 1963. in China, and at the age of 11 he became the PRC champion in all-around. By 1979, Li became a four-time wushu champion. At the age of 17, he began acting in films, where he received the nickname "Jet", which means "reactive". Today Jet Li is one of the most famous Chinese actors, who is fluent in martial arts.

Fedor Emelianenko (Russia).

Type: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Russian athlete, born in 1976. Performs in mixed martial arts (MMA - Mixed Martial Arts). He is a four-time heavyweight champion of MMA; has been repeatedly recognized as the best wrestler in his category. Fedor remained invincible for almost 10 years, which has never happened in the history of MMA.

Bruce Lee (Hong Kong)

Type: Kung Fu.

A world famous actor who made a huge contribution to the popularization of martial arts. Kung Fu began to practice in his youth, where he showed incredible abilities. Wing Chun became the main style for Bruce Lee. He later also studied judo, jiu-jitsu and boxing. And then Lee developed his own style of kung fu called "Jit-kun-do" - "the way of the leading fist."

Muhammad Ali (USA)

Type: Boxing.

Boxing legend, multiple world light heavyweight champion. Real name - Cassius Clay. He made his debut in 1960. Muhammad Ali took the name when he joined the Nation of Islam organization. In 1999. was named "the athlete of the century". He is famous for using psychological pressure on opponents, roughly treating and humiliating them before the fight. The fight with Chuck Wepner became the inspiration for the movie Rocky.

Alexander Karelin (Russia)

Style: Greco-Roman wrestling

Three-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling in the category up to 130 kg. His favorite technique - the "reverse belt" - brought many victories to Alexander. There are cases when rivals deliberately refused to fight Karelin. In his entire sports career, he won 887 fights and suffered two defeats. The International Federation amateur wrestling Karelin was named greatest fighter Greco-Roman style of the XX century.

Masutatsu Oyama (Japan)

Type: Karate.

One of the most important karate masters, has a 10th dan. Masutatsu is the founder of Kyokushin karate, the creator of the Kyokushin organization (IKO), which he headed until his death in 1994. He is famous for the fact that he could chop off the horns of the bull with a blow of the palm.

Buako Por Pramuk (Thailand)

Style: Muay Thai.

Two-time K-1 MAX champion, the first fighter to do it twice. Born in Thailand, at the age of 15 he began performing at the Por. Pramuk ". The nickname "Buako" means "White Lotus". Prior to K-1, Buako earned several Muay Thai titles. In 2011. he spent 8 fights, all of them ended in his victory.

Benny Urkides

Kind: Kickboxing.

American Kickboxing Champion. Benny was born in 1952. In Los Angeles. At the age of 3 he began to engage in boxing, and at the age of 5 he was already performing in the ring. At the age of 14 he received a black belt. During his sports career, which lasted 27 years (according to other sources, 24 years), he did not lose any of 66 fights.

Wally J

Type: Jiu-jitsu.

Founder of Small Circle Jiu-Jitsu. This direction is based on the movement of the hand in a small circle, which makes it possible to carry out painful holds and grips most effectively. Wally has a 10th Dan in Jiu Jitsu and is listed as one of the 100 Most Influential Persons in Martial Arts. Author of "10 Principles of the Small Circle", compatible with almost any style. Was a close friend and sparring partner of Bruce Lee.

Kharlampiev Anatoly (Russia)

Type: Sambo.

One of the founders of sambo wrestling. From the age of 6 he acted as a gymnast in the circus, and at the age of 16 he was already known as a good fighter, trained by his father, a boxer, and grandfather, a specialist in fist fights. He was fluent in French wrestling, English and French boxing, studied judo under the guidance of Vasily Oshchepkov. In 1938. headed the Sambo Federation and worked on its distribution and development.

Go in for sports! Be equal to the best!

Today I want to tell you about ten real fighters who managed to achieve fame and financial well-being thanks to their martial arts skills.

Chuck Norris

Sports: Between 1964 and 1974, Chuck Norris had 195 bouts. 183 of them won, two lost and 10 ended either without a result or a draw. Norris won 30 tournaments and was the World Professional Middle Weight Karate Champion 6 times.
Movie: Path of the Dragon, The Expendables 2, Cool Walker.

Don "Dragon" Wilson

Sports: In 1979, Wilson won the PKA (Professional Karate Association or Professional Karate Association) championship. A year later, he became the world champion according to the VKA (World Karate Association or World Karate Association). Over the next 11 years, he won this title 10 times in three weight categories and according to versions of five organizations.
Kino: Say something, Bloody Fist, Ring of Fire.

Bruce Lee

Sports: Bruce got his start in the martial arts world at an early age. At first, he trained according to the Tai Chi system, after in Wing Chun, this is an ancient form of Kung Fu, which dates back to the Shaolin temple, in which speed and reflexes were the main thing, and brute strength faded into the background. It was there that Bruce acquired phenomenal punching speed. Later, Bruce Lee developed his own combat system - Jeet Kune Do. Unfortunately, there are no records of Bruce's battles in real tournaments.
Movie: Dragon's Rise, Fist of Fury, Big Boss.

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Sports: From the age of 12, practicing karate, in 1976 he became a member of the Belgian national karate team, and on March 8, 1980 became the European champion in karate, knocking out the German Dietrich Targills.
Movies: Bloodsport, Kickboxer, The Expendables 2, Hard Target.

Jet Li

Sports: Having passed several stages of selection, in 1972 he got to the national wushu championship and won the "Best Master" prize. In 1974, China held new stage selection among wushu athletes, choosing the best of the best. As a result, the country's national wushu team was formed, which included 30 people, including Li. The team was assigned to represent the PRC in the United States. Returning to his homeland, Li took part in the first National Youth Wushu Championship (1974). He won first place in all-around and dao sword complexes. Li began to be trained by the best martial artists in China. In 1975, at the age of 12, Li was sent to qualifying tournament to the Third National Wushu Championship. He won in five disciplines out of five possible at once. In the same year, Li won four gold medals at the very Third Championship in Beijing (all-around, complex without weapons, complex with a spear and complex with a dao sword) .In 1977, at the National Wushu Competitions, Li won first place in the complex with a dao sword. , and was also out of reach among the followers of the "long fist" style. In 1978, Li again became a gold medalist (in all-around, unarmed complex and dao sword complex). In 1979, at the Fourth Chinese Wushu Championship, he won the all-around, "long fist" style, the unarmed complex, the dao sword complex and exhibition fights.
Movie: Hero, Fearless, Ocean Paradise, Dragon Kiss, Lethal Weapon 4.

Dolph Lundgren

Sports: From the age of 14 he was engaged in kyokushinkai karate and even studied a little under the founder of the style - Masatutsu Oyama. At various tournaments he performed in the absolute weight category, was the European Champion in 1980 and 1981, in 1982 he won the Australian Kyokushinkai Karate Championship. Took part in the open absolute Japanese karate championship. Dolph later became interested in kickboxing.
Movies: Showdown in Little Tokyo, The Expendables 2, Rocky 4.

Tadeusz Kasyanov

Sports: From the age of 15 he was professionally involved in sports - wrestling, running, fencing. The founder of hand-to-hand combat. President of the All-Russian Federation of Hand-to-Hand Combat and Traditional Karate. Honored Trainer of Russia; trained over 40 masters of sports; author of more than 10 scientific papers, including textbooks and teaching aids on the basics of hand-to-hand combat. Awarded the Badge of Honor "For Merit in the Development physical culture and sports "," Silver Cross "society" August-91 ", a medal.
Cinema: In the zone special attention, Pirates of the 20th century

Mark Dacascos

Sports: Mark's parents are martial arts masters known in the United States. Father Al Dakoskos was a martial arts teacher. He also became the coach of Mark, who, starting from the age of 7, participated in more than 200 tournaments. In 1982 he won the European and Italian Kung Fu and Lightweight Karate Championships, and took gold at the Hamburg Karate Championships for two years in a row.
Movies: Only the Strongest, Brotherhood of the Wolf, Drive, Crying Assassin, Cradle to Grave

Cynthia Rothrock

Sports: At the age of 13, she began to practice martial arts. Despite her small stature (about 160 cm), she achieved significant success. In 1981-1985. participated and became the champion in the world championships in karate in competitions in kata with weapons. Owns 6 black belts in different types martial arts. He works as a commentator for martial arts competitions, conducts seminars on the practice of kung fu.
Cinema: Guardian Angel, Retribution, The Amazing Wanderings of Hercules.

Billy Blanks

Sports: In 1975 he won his first "Amateur Athletic Union Champion" title. He will go on to win it five times, win world tournaments seven times, and was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1982. In addition, Blanks holds a 7th degree black belt in taekwondo and five other martial arts belts. The creator of a special kind of fitness - tai-bo.
Movie: The Last Boy Scout, Kissing the Girls, AWOL.