Kickboxing is a sport that combines the hand techniques found in boxing with kicking techniques unique to martial arts. The term kickboxing is often used loosely to describe any combat sporting event where kicks are allowed, but there are many kinds of kickboxing. Muay Thai allows competitors to throw knee and elbow strikes, while the International Kickboxing Federation type allows only punches and kicks. Kickboxing matches can be sanctioned as either full contact or semi-contact.
IKF Semi-Contact and Full Contact
Competitors in IKF-sanctioned semi-contact and full-contact events are required to wear approved boxing-style gloves. The age, experience and weight of a competitor determine the weight of the gloves, with younger fighters allowed to wear 12-ounce gloves instead of the 16-ounce gloves worn by adult competitors. There is an exception to this rule if children aged 4 to 8 are competing. In this event 10-ounce gloves are allowed. These guidelines are also enforced on IKF-sanctioned point kickboxing events. Always check with the promoter to determine whether your gloves are approved.
Muay Thai
Fighters are broken down into weight classes that determine the weight of their gloves. All fighters are required to wear approved boxing gloves. Junior-featherweight and lighter fighters wear 6-ounce gloves, and featherweights through welterweights wear 8-ounce boxing gloves when competing. Junior-middleweight fighters and heavier are required to wear 10-ounce gloves when competing. Fighters are required to tie the laces on the backs of their wrists, and each glove is inspected prior to competition.
Sport Karate
Competitors fighting in smaller, regional events not sanctioned by the major governing bodies often wear gloves molded out of stiff foam and covered with a rubberized surface. These very lightweight gloves allow competitors to have access to their fingers for grappling, but feature a thick coating of foam over the knuckle areas. These gloves cover the wrists and part of the competitor’s forearms, cushioning as they block attacks. They should never be worn in full-contact events, however, because the foam provides much less cushioning than traditional boxing gloves.
Posted in: Kickboxing