Is Kali Really Just a Weapon Based Art?
Only to the beginner. The beginner does not know that Kali is a complete system and incorporated weapons and stand up with wrestling/submissions way before almost anyone even contemplated doing it.
If I had to choose one art it would be Kali. – Ron Balicki
Example 1
When they went to select a martial art for Jason Bourne they went with Kali. If you watch the movies, you’ll notice that Jason Bourne barely ever fought in a hand to hand battle with a weapon. He fought with fluidity, he fought with brutal efficiency, and he fought with highly efficient Filipino martial arts or Kali.
Example 2 Dumog – Filipino Wrestling
Dumog is Filipino wrestling and is designed to move a bigger man through space. Even when you’re very undersized. This side of Filipino martial arts had been taught by Guru Inosanto for years before Randy couture thrust wrestling into the martial arts community. Paul Vunak had been teaching Dumog as early as the mid to late 80′s. Wrestling was alive and well in the Philippines and integrated with their martial arts before MMA hit the scene big.
Example 3 influences in Western Boxing
It’s long noted by Guru Dan Inosanto and his son in law Ron Balicki that Filipino knife fighting had changed boxing forever. When the old boxers met the Filipino martial artists who were used to knife fights and experienced nerve destructions a decision was quickly made that they disliked the feeling so slowly the arms were brought in. This change made Western Boxing what it is today. Although this influence is all but ignored in contemporary times.
If you think Kali is just a weapon based art. You’re missing the boat. It’s one of the most complete systems out there, whether it’s taking a man down or taking him down permanently.
