Expert opinions

On the following pages, recognised masters and instructors of various oriental and occidental martial sports voice their opinions on the practical self-defence value of their respective styles. Some readers may consider this obtrusive, though it is only intended as food for thought and a change of consciousness.

Just as the introduction of full-contact contests destroyed many a budoka's dangerous illusions about deadly techniques, this text is intended as a modest contribution towards helping the Asian self-defence arts to arrive at a more honest and realistic self-assessment.

Many of you may well be surprised to know that some experts rate the self-defence value of Western wrestling and boxing more highly than that of traditional Asian styles. Us Westeners may quite rightly be proud of our boxing, wrestling, kicking and armed combat skills.

And all of us must understand quite clearly that even the best system is only as effective as the person who represents it. It is not styles that confront each other in a fight, but people.

Fighting spirit is the last unknown variable, and is often of much more decisive importance than any of the other factors mentioned.

I would like to thank all the experts who have kindly made their statements and views available for publication. Even if it is not always possible to agree with them, their experience and opinions may nonetheless provide food for thought.

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