(Approx 2 minute 50 second read)

Whenever I write an article about real-world self-defense, the comments seem to explode into “my style is the best”.
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I don’t think a lot of these people actually train themselves – maybe keyboard warriors, maybe just inexperienced – but these comments usually revolve around one style in particular: Kyokushin.
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Now, before anyone accuses me of bashing the style, let me make one thing abundantly clear: I’ve trained in Kyokushin. Back in the 1980s, when I was competing, I spent time in a Kyokushin dojo, training and learning with a world champion fighter. The training was outstanding for my competitive goals at the time.
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When I came to the US, I was invited to train and teach at a Kyokushin dojo. So, I’m not knocking the style in any way. It’s simply an observational fact that a lot of the “my style is the best” comments tend to come from Kyokushin practitioners.
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If you’ve read my articles, you know I prefer my karate to be practical and pragmatic. Yet, I constantly hear people claiming that Kyokushin is the best for self-defense.
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But here’s the thing – no single martial art holds the distinction of being “the best”. And that’s something a lot of people seem to miss.
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Unless you specifically train for self-defense, no single style will be the “ultimate” for that context. And that’s the real issue – context is everything.
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There’s no point learning football if you want to play rugby. Yes, they both have a ball, but that’s where the similarity ends. Obvious, isn’t it? So why isn’t it so obvious in the martial arts?
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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: practitioners (and the keyboard warriors) must realize the differences.
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Every martial art has its benefits, and every martial art 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 prime, 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 person, 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 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, but it’s crucial to understand the differences between sport, art, fun, fitness, and self-protection. Learning in the wrong context can get you into trouble when you need it most.
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For those who are still unconvinced, think of it like this – 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 or in competition. Real-world scenarios often indicate this.
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The levels of fitness and competition preparedness in Kyokushin are well-known and commendable. It builds toughness, endurance (in some), and fighting spirit. If your goal is to fight in competitions, Kyokushin will serve you well.
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Is it the “toughest”, the “best”, the “ultimate”? I have a perspective on this. As I mentioned, I trained in Kyokushin in my early 20s (I’m now 65). I started karate at 14, and the training was incredibly challenging and intense.
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But here’s an interesting side note. A Kyokushin 2nd dan in his 30s once said about me, “He hits really hard – doesn’t he know how to hit with less force?”
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Even though Kyokushin is known for hard training, plenty of other styles are too. Perhaps they just don’t feel the need to shout about it.
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Self-protection requires a different mindset, a different set of skills. No one style is the best. Instead of arguing, focus on improving. The right training for the right purpose, in the right context – that’s what truly matters.
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Written by Adam Carter