The two most common martial arts practiced in North America are karate and tae kwon do. Many wonder what the difference between these two styles is. This is especially the case for those who are just starting to look around for a studio. After all, most practitioners in both disciplines seem to wear the same type of white gi uniforms with various colored belts.

Modern traditional karate was developed in the islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences from Chinese martial arts. There are actually different styles of karate but they are all commonly considered as Japanese styles today. The colored belt system was developed to show the various ranks of karate practitioners with white depicting novices and black belts (with various degrees) representing instructor levels and higher. There is a whole range of other different colors in between. Modern tae kwon do was developed in Korea after much influence from Japanese karate during the occupation by Japan. Indeed, tae kwon do is sometimes referred to as Korean karate. The Koreans adopted similar white uniforms along with a colored belt ranking system for tae kwon do.

Today, there are two main styles of tae kwon do, one under the International Federation and the other under the World Federation. Many schools have added a black lining to their white uniforms for black belt levels. A V-neck top is often seen in schools affiliated with the World Federation. There are also older Korean styles including tang soo do and moo duk kwan. Some of the more Americanized schools also use uniforms with other colors such as red, black and blue in addition to the traditional white.

It can be generalized that in karate, one would use their arms or hands for 60% of the time for strikes or blocks while the use of legs for kicking will be about 40%. This breakdown is seen in the many forms or katas of karate which are set routines which simulate fighting against imaginary opponents using martial arts techniques. The forms from tae kwon do would have the opposite percentage breakdown with 40% hands and 60% legs. There is also more emphasis on higher kicks to the head level than in karate. Practitioners also utilize more jumping or flying kicks where one is airborne while executing kicking techniques. The Korean forms or patterns are generally a bit shorter and less complex than the karate forms. Some tae kwon do schools have been known to use the odd karate form in its curriculum as well.

In North America as well as other parts of the world, there are separate traditional competitions for karate and tae kwon do. However, the open martial arts tournaments in North America often have competitors from both disciplines competing together. Some of the larger open martial arts competition events will have separate forms divisions for Japanese and Korean style competitors but the fighting or sparring divisions will usually be combined. Many black belts end up studying both styles. Tae kwon do has received more publicity in recent years since its introduction as an Olympic sport.

Taekwondo athletes choose to compete in a weight category which is lower than their normal weight simply because it provides them with more advantage. They have longer lower limbs which will give them better chances to strike and hit the opponent thus earning them a point. It also makes their movement swifter because of their lighter weight. However, there are certain athletes who undergo drastic measures just to achieve a rapid amount of weight loss. Rapid decrease in weight done through fluid restriction, severe food deprivation, excessive exercise, use of laxatives and diuretics and even regular use of sauna will bring more harm to the body of Taekwondo athletes rather than good. It is a must that athletes should be fit before their tournament so they can properly execute their blocks, kicks and strikes.

These require maximum nutrition potential which can only be acquired through right combination of food and training. It is never wise to deter from eating nutritiously rich carbohydrate foods like pasta, whole grain cereals, rice, fruits and vegetables. The intake of protein rich food like lean meat, fish, chicken, beans and legumes holds vital nutrients that will help the body repair broken muscles and bones. What must be done instead of drastic weight loss regimen for these Taekwondo athletes is identification of the weight group category which they intend to enter on an earlier phase so they can safely plan their diet months before the tournament.

A training diet is not evil if and only if it can be planned accordingly. There is nothing wrong in trimming down on one’s weight but to do it in a flash will produce detrimental effects to the body. Nutritionists and heath experts suggest that Taekwondo athletes maintain a weight within 2-3 kilogram of their competition weight so they can minimize nutritional strategies which can drastically affect their body movements and coordination. Nevertheless, the following are helpful tips which Taekwondo athletes would wish to follow two to three days before their tournament.