| Different people have a lot of different reasons for | | | | Maga manual details hundreds of technques and has |
| looking into martial arts styles. Some are looking for | | | | an entire chapter devoted to dozens of lethal martial |
| transcendence and self-control, others for the ability | | | | arts moves that are easy to perform, from |
| to kill other human beings. That lethality captivates | | | | hip-shattering throws to neck attacks that can stop |
| the imagination; every man would like to be able to | | | | blood from leaving your brain and result in death. |
| kill others with impunity, even if he never would. So | | | | Malaysia: Silat Melayu |
| what are the most deadly styles of martial art in the | | | | Silat's origins are mysterious, but it's a fair bet that |
| world? Simple: the ones that come from | | | | this diverse array of martial arts styles developed |
| war-ravaged nations. | | | | over Malaysia's centuries-long history of being invaded |
| Have you ever noticed that there is no martial art | | | | by everyone from Colonial Europe to Imperial Japan. |
| indigenous to the United States, or Canada, or | | | | Silat relies heavily on strong stances that allow it's |
| Norway (Stáv notwithstanding)? That's because | | | | practitioners to remain firmly grounded and fluid at |
| those are countries that haven't had to deal with long | | | | the same time. Because Silat is entirely practical, |
| histories of invasion. Compare them to countries | | | | there are almost no flashy flying kicks or extravagant |
| where being invaded is a way of life -- Malaysia, | | | | overkill attacks, but a Silat practitioner trains in a wide |
| Thailand, Israel, Russia, and their ilk -- and the | | | | variety of ways to end fights with extraordinary |
| difference is clear. Guess which countries have | | | | efficiency. |
| produced the world's most lethal martial arts styles? | | | | Russia: Sambo |
| Thailand: Muay Thai | | | | Sambo, from a Russian acronym for "Defense |
| Muay Thai is also called the "Art of 8 Limbs". It has | | | | without Weapons") is a fairly new martial art, |
| this name because it adds four more striking surfaces | | | | developed only 90 years ago by the Red Army to |
| to the typical 2 hands and 2 feet: the elbows and the | | | | improve their chances of survival when disarmed. |
| shins. Muay Thai practitioners use body-hardening | | | | Borrowing techniques from a variety of martial arts |
| techniques on their shins, knees, and elbows until | | | | styles ranging from judo to savate, Sambo |
| they are tough enough to survive a strike that would | | | | practitioners take things to the ground, and fast, |
| shatter an enemy's bones without bruising. Muay | | | | applying a huge variety of joint breaks, disarm |
| Thai is famed for it's clinching martial arts moves, | | | | techniques, and knockout blows -- often as the |
| wherein the practitioner grabs an opponent's head | | | | opponent falls down. There are no wasted |
| and shoulders and holds them down while repeatedly | | | | moments in Sambo. |
| driving knees into his heart and elbows into the back | | | | Could it be a coincidence that four of the world's |
| or top of his head. | | | | nastiest martial arts styles come from four of the |
| Israel: Krav Maga | | | | world's most often-invaded countries? Probably |
| Krav Maga (literally "Hand to hand combat") has it's | | | | not. One thing is for certain, however -- those of |
| roots in brutal Israeli-vs-Pakistani streetfighting, but | | | | us that live in more peaceful climes are thankful for |
| has been refined by the Israeli government and police | | | | the opportunity to witness and maybe practice the |
| into a systematic method of disassembling an | | | | martial arts styles that come from such turbulent |
| opponent. The Israeli government's official Krav | | | | places. |