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I started kickboxing when I was very young. I did it for 7 years. I loved the sport a lot. It made me feel strong, healthy and confident. Training was hard sometimes, but I liked learning new moves and getting better. I was not afraid to fight and I even did some friendly matches. But one day, something bad happened. I had a fight with a boy during training. I hit him a little too hard, and his nose broke. After that he threatened me and I began to not like it anymore. That made me stop with the sport. It was a hard choice, because kickboxing was a big part of my life. Maybe I will start again one day, because I still love it. It taught me a lot not only how to fight, but also to respect others and be disciplined.

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Kickboxing started in Japan in the 1960s. It came from a mix of karate and Muay Thai (a Thai fighting sport). Fighters wanted to make a new sport with rules and safety. Later kickboxing became popular in America and Europe, especially in the Netherlands. Now it’s one of the most famous combat sports in the world.

There are many styles of kickboxing. In the Netherlands, we have our own style that is very fast and powerful. Many great fighters come from here, like Rico Verhoeven and Badr Hari.

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Kickboxing comes from two words: kick (using your feet) and boxing (using your hands). So in this sport, you kick and punch. Kickboxing started in Japan and got more populair in America and Netherlands in the 1970s.

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Elite Japanese Kickboxing - Learn How Masaaki Noiri Breaks Opponents (Style Breakdown)

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You can only kick or punch above the waist.

No punches on the back of the head.

A fight has 3 rounds of 3 minutes.

You wear gloves, mouthguard, and shin protectors.

How to not get hurt:

Always warm up.

Wear the right gear.

Listen to the trainer good.

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Gloves

Mouthguard

Shin guards

Sportswear

A punching bag

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Rico Verhoeven (Netherlands)

He is called the “King of Kickboxing.” Rico is strong, smart and very focused. He has been GLORY world champion for many years.

Badr Hari (Morocco/Netherlands)

Badr is a powerful and aggressive fighter. He is famous for his knockouts and exciting fights. Many people love to watch him.

Giorgio Petrosyan (Italy)

He is very technical and fast. People call him “The Doctor” because of how clean and smart he fights.

Tenshin Nasukawa (Japan)

A young, super fast fighter from Japan. He started in kickboxing and later moved to other fight sports too.

Alistair Overeem (Netherlands)

He fought in kickboxing and also in MMA. He is very strong and has won many big fights.

Buakaw Banchamek (Thailand)

He is a Muay Thai legend but also fought in kickboxing events. He is strong, fast and has powerful kicks.

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How to Win:

Points: Judges give points for clear punches and kicks.

Knockout (KO): You win if the opponent can’t get up after a hit.

Technical Knockout (TKO): The referee stops the fight if it gets dangerous.

Disqualification: If someone breaks big rules, they lose.

Length of a Fight:

Usually 3 rounds

Each round is 3 minutes

There are short breaks between rounds

People Involved:

2 fighters

1 referee

3 judges around the ring

2 coaches outside the ring giving tips

Big Kickboxing Events Around the World:

GLORY – The biggest kickboxing league on earth

K-1 – A famous Japanese league from the 2000s

ONE Championship – Combines kickboxing, Muay Thai & MMA

Local tournaments – Smaller clubs and youth fights

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RICO VS. BADR: COLLISION 2 [FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS]

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1. Kickboxing Makes You Smarter

Kickboxing is not just about strength it also sharpens your brain. You need quick thinking, fast reaction time and smart moves. It’s like playing chess, but with your body.

2. It’s Popular All Over the World

Kickboxing is practiced in more than 100 countries. Countries like Thailand, Japan, the Netherlands and Brazil are especially known for their amazing fighters.

3. It Combines Other Sports

Kickboxing is like a mixture of karate, boxing and Muay Thai. That’s why it’s great for people who like a bit of everything kicks, punches and cool moves!

4. It Burns a Ton of Calories

One hour of kickboxing can burn up to 800 calories! That’s more than running. No wonder so many people do it to stay fit.

5. It’s Great for Confidence

Many people say kickboxing helped them become stronger inside and outside. You learn to stand tall, speak up and protect yourself.

6. Kickboxing Stars in Movies

Many famous movie actors like Jean-Claude Van Damme and Scott Adkins used kickboxing in action films. That’s why their fight scenes look so real!