Why isn't karate known as "cool"?

Question

why does all the other sports get such a better rep from everyone and not karate?

do you think it would be different if martial arts were a regular school sport?

Answer 1

Hyouden if you actually had a clue you'd know 1) there are fighters in the UFC that do have a background in Karate such as George St.Pierre (Kyokushin) and Chuck Liddel (unless that Kempo tattoo was just for fun) and probably others.  2) Pride Fighting Championships was a highly successful MMA promotion IN JAPAN long before UFC was a household name.  

Why all the concern about being "cool" anyway?  Be true to yourself...

Answer 2

I use bo staff and nuchucks.

at least people see it above tkd

Answer 3

Karate isn't cool because when a small kid who knows karate fights the school bully in real life... the karate guy gets his butt kicked.

Answer 4

i guess karate's rep will probably changed if it was a regular school sport.

Answer 5

lets see...where to start

1. you won't get a nike sponsership deal because of karate

2. the karate gi is the worst looking uniform in sports

3. the head cheerleader dates the QB, not the guy trying to break a board for a pat on the back and fancy new coloured belt

4. "i know karate" sounds just as lame as "i know kung-fu" - thank keanu reeves

5. the karate kid was a loser, who's only friend was an old man, who may or may not have asked for sexual favours in return for his "karate lessons"

but apparently being uncool, is the new cool.  think about it...let marinate in your brain for a little bit...there you go!

Answer 6

Becuase you're asking from America and an American point of view. America has little idea of actual martial arts, save for the few dojo in the states that train properly. Most American experience with martial arts is either through movies or McDojos, which explains why we have stuff like UFC and call it martial arts when it's clearly not.

If you go to Japan, you'll get a different experience alltogether.

Answer 7

I don't consider karate a sport.  I consider it a way of life.  My whole family does Kenpo.  

I think that karate takes more self control than a lot of so called sports.  It is not about beating other people, it is about being the best you can be and knowing how to defend yourself in certain situations.

Answer 8

Let me tell you why I don't think that Karate is cool.  This is just my opinion.

1) You don't really spar with anyone and actually hit them.  So really, who knows what works in real life or not.

2) 99% of the techniques are nifty to learn but they don't work.

3) I took Judo and every year we had some hotshot karate guy in the class who always wanted to skip the basics because they felt that since they knew Karate, then it means they don't have to start from the bottom like everyone else.

The result is always the same.  The karate guys get hurt because they were too good to learn the basics and they quit shortly after that.

I think it is a good sport if you are into it.  I really wouldn't worry about what is cool or not.  Just do your thang and don't ever try to argue why karate is as good as other martial arts in a real fight.

Answer 9

It's cuz you can't use nunchucks or a bo staff.

Answer 10

Not exactly what you are asking  but this may help http://www.directory.martialarm.neta martial arts directory by location.

Answer 11

I think Katate is cool! Actually, I take that back I think it's awesome!

I think that some people just don't see martial arts as a regular sport...and some never will! That's what's a bummer.

I think people would reconsider (students) if it did become a school sport!!!

Answer 12

It is "cool" but in today's instant gratification, it just takes toooo long to really get good......and I guess waiting isn't cool.

Answer 13

I don't know. I do Karate. The kids at my school think its cool.

Answer 14

Probably because true karate that is original is not a sport at all. It is designed to lay waste to somebody if they attack you and give you no option.

Much of what is taught today is taught by people who have no real knowledge of true karate and are only in it to make money. A true karate-ka does not care whether it is cool or not, in fact a good karate-ka will not let everyone know that he is even trained.

Add to this the fact that the real reward of karate is more internal, and that when you are fighting for survival there is no one there to cheer you on.

Answer 15

unfortunately because of this:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DEVYxsih...

Above is a video of what real, old-style or Koryu karate looks like. Look at it and then look at everyone else around you who thinks they learned "karate".

Below is a True Master displaying how karate is suppose to be applied...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVAL24D04...

These are tiny examples.

What people are teaching these days is watered down - the "useless" stuff that Bruce Lee spoke about.

How cool is that?!!

(William P - this is my mindset always... you judged me before on my comments about mma, not my answers of what I believe karate is and isn't. I'm from the "old school", not this "down-block" garbage you see today. You were wrong... I won't "down-block" your big-a s s leg... I will get out of your way, spit you in the eyes and rip your nuts off! - that's KORYU! ;P )

Answer 17

karate is cool!

Answer 18

cause all it is is a Chinese guy teaching nerds how to chop a piece of wood in half

Answer 19

Karate IS cool! Heck, I would totally love for martial arts to be considered a typical school sport, but I still think karate is awesome. I take Original Kenpo Karate, and I must say that if someone really tries and puts dedication and effort into it, our techniques are (for the most part) very straightforward, sensible, and powerful. All my friends and family members think it's really cool that my dad and I do karate together, but more importantly, I can honestly say I feel safe, secure, and able to defend myself because of my time in Kenpo Karate.

Answer 20

Authentic Karate spars very hard and is just as effective if not more so than Muay Thai.  I know, I have taken both and respect both.  Kyokushin off shoot and Muay Thai.  Karate taught correctly is very effective and very cool.

Answer 21

it used to be more popular in the 1970's when Bruce Lee was alive, so many Karate Places were open then. It was cool then.

Answer 22

It's cool where I live....for kids and adults.

Answer 23

For once me and "sensei" above me here totally agree on something. I'm shocked.  Thumbs up "sensei"!!!  Nice statement there Dom thump ups for you too man!!

Answer 24

it is cool :)

isnt it?