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Among the hand-to-hand disciplines, the text focuses on:
Karate: The initial spark that taught precision and striking speed, providing an essential foundation for combat.
Kickboxing and Full Contact: A demanding discipline that toughened the protagonist's character, introducing him to the world of boxing and full-contact strikes.
Muay Thai: Considered the pinnacle of sport combat for its completeness and intensity, it posed both a physical and mental challenge, teaching resilience and determination.
MMA (Mixed Martial Arts): The culmination of the journey, a system that integrates striking and grappling techniques, representing maximum dynamism and freedom in combat.
As for bladed weapons and historical fencing, the book delves into:
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA): Based on medieval and Renaissance manuals, this discipline reconnected the protagonist with the techniques of his ancestors, utilizing weapons like longswords, short swords, polearms, and daggers.
Armored Combat: An extreme physical trial that combines strategy, technique, and endurance in a realistic context.
Traditional Italian Knife Fighting: A fascinating art passed down from the masters of the past, combining elegance and lethality.
The book also covers modern combat with firearms, exploring:
Airsoft: Used as preparatory training to simulate dynamic combat scenarios.
Static and Dynamic Shooting with Real Firearms: The apex of modern martial arts with weapons, requiring precision, composure, and respect for tools of great power.
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Ancient Disciplines The book dedicates ample space to rediscovering ancient martial arts, such as Pankration, gladiatorial combat, and the war techniques of Greek and Roman armies.
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Through these disciplines, the author weaves personal anecdotes and reflections that go beyond technique, exploring the deeper meaning of combat: personal growth, mental resilience, and a connection to cultural and historical traditions. "The Martial Artist" is not just a manual or an autobiographical account but a celebration of the martial journey in all its forms.