(Approx 2 minute 50 second read)

If you’ve read my articles, you probably know by now that I prefer my karate to be practical and pragmatic. Yet, I constantly hear from people claiming that Kyokushin is the best martial art – the strongest style that everyone should learn. After all, Kyokushin means ‘the ultimate truth,’ right?
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But here’s the thing: no single martial art holds the title of “the best.” And that’s something some people seem to miss.
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It’s ironic, really. Mas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin, famously said, “The path of martial arts begins and ends with courtesy. So be genuinely polite on every occasion.” Yet many of its proponents that I hear from are far from courteous.
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Now, before anyone accuses me of bashing the style, let me make one thing clear: I’ve trained in Kyokushin. Back in the 1980s, when I was competing, I spent time in a Kyokushin dojo, and the training was outstanding for my goals at the time. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve even taught at Kyokushin dojo. So, I’m not knocking the style. In fact, it prepared me exceptionally well for competition, which was exactly what I needed back then.
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But here’s the problem: sport is sport, no matter the discipline. And sport has rules.
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I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: practitioners must understand the differences. This is a huge issue today. Too many people either can’t or won’t recognize the limitations of their chosen discipline. They cling to the idea that their style – whether it’s Kyokushin or something else – is the be-all and end-all.
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But the truth is, there is no one discipline that reigns supreme. Every martial art has its benefits, and each has its limitations.
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Take one of my friends back in the UK. He’s a world champion many times over. His dojo is one of the most successful ever, and his students continue to dominate today. In his day, he took on everyone – no matter the style or method – and he reigned supreme for years. Was he a Kyokushin fighter, the “ultimate” martial artist? No. His core art was Kung-Fu.
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The point is, it’s not the style that makes the fighter. It’s the training, the preparation, and the application that count.
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If your goal is to compete, then find a dojo that excels in that. There are plenty of great schools out there that will help you succeed – just like my friend’s.
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But if your interest is self-protection, then you need to find a school that truly specializes in it.
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Every martial art will give you something of value, even if it’s just increased confidence. That alone is powerful, especially for those who may not naturally have fighting skills. But it’s crucial to understand the differences between sport, art, and self-protection. Learning in the wrong context can get you into trouble when you need it most.
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Why is this so important? Because in a self-defense scenario, people don’t square off. You’re not going to face off against a criminal the way you would an opponent in the dojo. There’s no signal to start or end the fight.
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Imagine being confronted by the biggest, most vicious, habitual criminal, armed with a weapon thug. Would you stand toe-to-toe, waiting for an exchange? Of course not. That would be suicide. It’s not a competition.
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The levels of fitness and competition preparedness in Kyokushin are well-known and commendable. It builds toughness, endurance, and fighting spirit. It’s a powerful style and if your goal is to fight in competitions, Kyokushin will serve you well.
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But self-protection requires a different mindset, a different set of skills. It’s about survival, not just winning a tournament. So you need to seek out those who specialize in real-world skills.
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No one style is the best. And, frankly, the constant bragging about which art is superior does nothing but distract from the real goal of martial arts: to improve yourself and protect yourself.
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Stop the bragging and start learning. Remember: the context of your training matters, so choose wisely.
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Written by AC.