The Oldest Martial Arts in the World

There have been tens of thousands of different martial arts created over the course of human history. Many martial arts practitioners often wonder what the oldest martial arts in the world are.

Here’s a list of some of the oldest martial arts in the world and short histories about each style. Read below about each style and why they have thousands of years of history.

Where was the Oldest Martial Arts in the World Developed?

When you look at where the oldest martial arts in the world were developed, it was generally the same place.

• Asia
• Africa
• Greece

These places were the birthplaces of the oldest martial arts in the world because the first civilizations were created there. 

Many historians and expert martial artists believe martial arts were first developed in India. 

Then, from India, the teachings of the styles spread to China and the rest of the world.

Shuai Jiao 

• Originated: 2697 B.C.
• Country: China
• Still Practiced? Yes

The Chinese wrestling style of Shuai Jiao is the oldest form of jacket wrestling in the world. Many assume Judo was the oldest form of jacket wrestling, but Shuai Jiao is thousands of years older.

Shuai Jiao would develop from numerous different ancient styles of Chinese wrestling. The modern version of the grappling style is similar to the Japanese grappling art of Judo.

However, in Shuai Jiao, practitioners wear a different Gi style and wrestling shoes. Chinese jacket wrestling continues to be widely practiced in Japan, which the Chinese military and police still practice.

Muay Boran/Muay Thai 

• Originated: 13th Century
• Country: Thailand
• Still Practiced: Yes

Many may not believe it, but Muay Thai is one of the oldest martial arts in the world. The sport of Muay Thai is still relatively new, but the techniques date back centuries.

Muay Thai was developed from the ancient fighting style of Muay Boran, originally called “Toi Muay.” This was an umbrella term for fighting styles that were used and practiced by ancient Siamese soldiers.

Many different styles of Thai martial arts specialize in different striking and clinching techniques. All of these styles would evolve and create what we know today as Muay Thai. It’s one of the oldest martial arts in the world, with centuries of history.

Taekkyon 

• Originated: 50 B.C.
• Country: Korea
• Still Practiced: Yes

The Korean style of Taekkyon is one of the world’s oldest martial arts, dating back to 50 B.C. Quite possibly even dating back to the Korean Three Kingdoms era.

Taekkyon is a kick-based martial art/game. It was the most practiced martial art in Korea until the occupation of Japan.

Practicing the art of Taekkyon was banned by the Japanese overlord until the occupation ended after WWII. Taekkyon practitioners could openly practice the martial art and were able to re-introduce the martial art.

The art of Taekkyon also had an influence on all of the Korean martial arts developed after WWII, which included Taekwondo.

Today, Taekkyon is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Ensuring that the martial art will be shared with future generations.

Kalaripayattu 

• Originated: 1000 B.C
• Country: India
• Still Practiced? Yes

Kalaripayattu is easily one of the oldest martial arts in the world, if not the oldest. An Indian sword-based martial art, which dates back to 1000 B.C.

According to Hindu legend, the god Bishnu taught the art of Kalaripayattu to his sixth avatar, Parasurama. This avatar was taught to the people of India, who carried on the tradition.

The original Shaolin monk, Bodhi Dharma, was said to be a Kalaripayattu practitioner. This sword and shield weapon art is highly effective and one of the oldest weapon arts still practiced today.

Pankration

• Originated: 2000 B.C.
• Country: Greece
• Still Practiced? Yes

One of the oldest martial arts in the world, which many people know, is the Greek art of Pankration. Along with wrestling and boxing, it was one of the first Olympic sports, with a history that dates back to 2000 B.C.

Pankration is the original mixed martial art comprising various striking and grappling techniques. The effectiveness of this style enabled it to stand the test of time for 30 years.

Today, there is very little difference between modern MMA and Pankration schools. MMA legend Demetrious Johnson’s home gym AMC Pankration is one of the world’s best fight academies.

Malla-Yudda

• Originated: 3000 B.C.
• Country: India
• Still Practiced? Yes

Many are unaware of one of the oldest martial arts in the world, called Malla-Yudda. It’s an ancient Indian martial art, which is basically an Indian version of Pankration.

The martial art consists of various striking and grappling techniques. Each of the four aspects of Malla-Yudda is named after Hindu gods.

• Hanumanti: Technical Superiority
• Jambuvanti: Grappling Techniques
• Jarasandhi: Breaking Limbs
• Bhimaseni: Pure Strength

Today, Malla-Yudda is sparcely practiced, but there are still a handful of practitioners teaching in northern India.

Boxing 

• Originated 600 BC
• Country: Multiple
• Still Practiced: Yes

When a human fights, the first thing they always do is throw a fist at their enemy. Boxing is one of the oldest martial arts in the world, which has been practiced since early humans began using their fists.

Just like with wrestling, just about every culture used a form of boxing. Along with Pankration and wrestling, boxing was one of the original Olympic sports.

Modern boxing as we know it today was developed over a century ago. It has become one of th

Wrestling 

• Originated: Unknown
• Country: Nearly All
• Still Practiced: Yes

Wrestling is easily one of the oldest martial arts in the world. Every culture in the world practices a form of wrestling. The origins of wrestling are unknown, but forms of it have been practiced since civilization began.

Ancient artifacts from every ancient people show that they practiced their own form of wrestling. Everything from paintings and sculptures to even wrestling manuals were preserved.

People have been practicing and competing in wrestling since before the original Olympics were created.  Today, different styles of wrestling are practiced by millions across the world.

The most practiced styles of wrestling are freestyle, Greco-Roman, and folkstyle, which is practiced in American universities and school systems.

Stick Fighting

• Originated: Unknown
• Country: Multiple
• Still Practiced: Yes

Along with wrestling and boxing being the oldest martial arts in the world, stickfighting is also in the discussion.

When humans first started defending themselves, they would use one of three things. Their fists wrestle or hit their attacker with a hard stick.

Stickfighting has been around since humans began using tools. Many ancient cultures developed their own style of stick-fighting for war and to defend themselves.

These styles of stickfighting would later develop into widely practiced sports. On every continent in the world, groups of people practice different styles of stick fighting. All are effective and improve their self-defense skills.