The global estimate of people who practice martial arts ranges from as low as 50 million to as high as 150 million.
.
So what is it that all these people see in the martial arts?
.
Despite those numbers, the vast majority of practitioners will never use their skills in a real act of self-defense. For many, the value lies not in fighting, but in what training gives them day to day.
.
The effectiveness of any martial art relies on context (my favorite term), the practitioner’s skill, and an understanding of human behavior under stress. That equation doesn’t change whether the goal is competition or self-defense – but what you prioritize within it absolutely does.
.
My own experience has taught me the importance of context-specific training. This is true in any discipline. There’s little point learning to drive a car if what you actually need to do is swim in the ocean.
.
Newcomers to martial arts often see training purely as a way to fight. But its real value extends far beyond physical confrontation.
.
Training develops strength and endurance, but it also builds focus, confidence, and, most importantly, it should develop respect for yourself and for others.
.
The martial arts aren’t just about how to fight, but also about when not to. Superficial training, however, can easily breed complacency and an inflated sense of self-belief.
.
Discipline is a core principle in any martial art. With discipline, confidence naturally follows. But confidence is not the same as skill. Overconfidence can blind you to your limitations and stall progress. And let’s be honest, nobody enjoys dealing with someone who is delusional about their abilities.
.
We see this delusion constantly. Endless comments – no, drivel, about your style can’t do this, or can’t do that. Throws come from judo, locks from jiu-jitsu, groundwork from BJJ, MMA is the only thing that works. The arguments never end. At some point, common sense has to step in.
.
Karate doesn’t fail people… unclear goals do.
.
Training for practical self-defense and training to win trophies are not the same problem to solve. Both can be valid pursuits, but they demand different priorities, different risks, and different compromises. Confusion starts when people expect one approach to deliver the outcomes of the other.
.
Pragmatic, self-defense-focused karate is of limited use if your primary aim is winning trophies. That isn’t a criticism, just an honest acknowledgement that different goals require different training choices.
.
Humility matters. Without it, learning stops. More importantly, humility can keep you safe. A lack of ego allows you to recognize when a situation isn’t worth engaging in, when de-escalation is the better option, and when leaving is the smartest outcome.
.
Confidence and humility are not opposites; they work together. Confidence gives you the courage to step onto the dojo floor, endure difficult training, and function under pressure, whether in competition or real-world scenarios.
.
Humility keeps you grounded when stress is high. It helps you avoid the need to “prove” yourself, reduces unnecessary escalation, and makes it easier to choose survival over winning. The person ruled by ego often feels compelled to engage; the person with humility can often walk away.
.
So whether your aim is competition or self-defense, clarity of purpose matters. Different goals require different training choices, and confusion only leads to frustration.
.
Train in the right context, stay honest about your priorities, and accept both the strengths and limitations of your chosen path. Done properly, the martial arts can support you far beyond the dojo.
.
.
Written by Adam Carter – Shuri Dojo