Taekwondo. Judo. Muay Thai. Karate. Boxing. I’m sure you’ve heard of these martial arts, or maybe even tried picking one up. More often than not, these martial arts get mistaken for each other. Do you know the difference between Taekwondo and Judo?
In this exciting first episode of What’s The Difference, we dive deep into the world of martial arts, exploring two iconic disciplines: Taekwondo and Judo.
To help us uncover what sets these martial arts apart, we spoke with Nicholas, 19, the President of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Judo Club, and Sam, 20, the President of the Taekwondo Club. Let’s hear from our interviewees as they share what their respective martial arts are all about and what makes each sport unique!
The Basics
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art best known for its kicks. Competitions are typically divided into two categories – Poomsae (a series of choreographed patterns) and Kyorugi (sparring). Scoring in Kyorugi is all about landing clean strikes – extra points for fancy spins and kicks to the head!
Judo, on the other hand, is a Japanese martial art that emphasises grappling and throwing techniques. The goal? To pin your opponent, or throw them flat on their back. Unlike Taekwondo, Judo matches don’t end when both fighters hit the ground. If your opponent does not land entirely on their back, the action continues with groundwork maneuvers like choking and submissions.
The Differences
In both martial arts, progress is marked by belt rankings, but the colors and progression systems differ. The attire worn for Taekwondo is lighter and thinner compared to that of Judo. Taekwondo focuses on explosiveness and stretching to enhance flexibility, while Judo emphasises the importance of breaking falls, rolling, and throws to ensure a safe execution of moves. In our conversation with Nicholas, the Judo Club president, he shared that, “if you’re not flexible, you won’t be able to do Taekwondo. But if you’re not flexible, it’s still possible for you to do Judo.”
One major difference between these two martial arts is the use of protective gear. Taekwondo athletes gear up with chest protectors, shin guards, and headguards to minimise the impact of kicks. Judo? Not so much. With its focus on grappling and breaking falls, they rely on their techniques rather than protective equipment.
Taekwondo is a stand-up game – quite literally. They aim to stay on their feet because falling to the ground typically means losing. In contrast, Judo thrives on takedowns and groundwork, where a game could be overturned in seconds. Nicholas acknowledges the beauty of Judo is the finality of it. “You can lose or you can win in a matter of seconds.”
The Similarities
Despite their differences, both martial arts share a deep respect for tradition and hierarchy. Whether in training or competition, bowing to coaches and opponents is a must – a gesture that reflects the value of respect. “The concept of respecting your elders is heavily implemented in both martial arts,” says Sam. “The sense of respect is very, very important.”
“Any martial art requires a lot of patience, hard work, and dedication, in order for you to do well,” says Nicholas. At the end of the day, both Nicholas and Sam emphasised that either martial art is “easier” than the other.
Summary
So, before you judge a martial art by its appearance, step into the shoes (or bare feet) of its practitioners, and you might just gain a newfound respect for the sport.
Curious to learn more about other sports? This is just the beginning of our What’s The Difference series, so stay tuned for the next episode. Who knows – your favourite sport might be up next!
Watch the video below: