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Verča Partikova: Kung Fu Academic

MMA fighter with a PhD in Sports Psychology

writing about mind, fighting & life in Asia

Writer's pictureVeronika Partiková

The Narrative Illusion of Good Guy vs. Bad Guy in Traditional Martial Arts: Why It Falters in a Fight

In traditional martial arts, such as Kung Fu, we often encounter the narrative of the "good guy" defending against the "bad guy." In these scenarios, practitioners are typically portrayed as righteous defenders, using techniques to repel attacks from nefarious aggressors.


Unveiling Traditional Martial Arts Narratives of Honor

Regardless of how brutal the actions may seem, they're often justified under the guise of self-defense and protection of virtue. Most often, the combat is only theoretical "if they attack you like this, you would do this (attacking throat, crotch, eyes)" without any sparring experience (that would be on the other hand kept within the borders of fair play and respect).


However, when transitioning to the world of fighting, such as sanda, MMA or just sparring among teammates, the narrative of the "good guy" versus the "bad guy" becomes blurred. In the competitive arena, both participants willingly enter the fray to test their skills against one another. Suddenly, the distinction between good and bad dissolves, leaving both fighters on equal footing, seeking victory through skill and strategy. They are both "good".


Traditional martial arts emphasize techniques designed for self-defense, prioritizing effectiveness over sportsmanship. These techniques can be inherently brutal, intended to neutralize threats in real-life situations where fairness may not be guaranteed. It's a reality that in self-defense scenarios, one is often the weaker and smaller individual, unable to rely on fair play.


Lessons Learned in Full-Contact Fighting: Embracing Reality

Reflecting on my first session of full-contact fighting, I recall a moment of discomfort. During a sparring session, I threw my partner to the ground, to be met with the coach's enthusiastic command: "Punch him!" I hesitated, grappling with the notion of fairness ingrained in my martial arts training. It felt contradictory to my principles as a martial artist.


The problem lies in the fact that unless confronted with a genuine threat on the street, both participants in a fight - whether it's with a partner or opponent - are essentially seen as the "good guys." Fabricating a narrative of good versus bad doesn't serve us well in these situations.


Empowerment Through Responsibility: The Martial Artist's Journey

Martial arts, in all their forms from traditional to modern combat, offer a controlled environment to explore both assertiveness and self-control. It's a journey that carries immense responsibility and empowerment. It provides an opportunity to meet all the aspects of one's self within a safe environment, which is otherwise almost impossible to provide anywhere else.


The first step is to abandon the fairy tale of good and bad guys and instead emphasize personal responsibility and self-control. It's through this shift in narrative that practitioners can truly embody the essence of martial arts philosophy. Power comes with responsibility and respect, and willingness to find your power comes with tests and failures. That is the ultimate learning curve, changing lives inside and outside of a gym.


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Bad and good guy in traditional martial arts

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