Question 042: Uechi-ryu

As you have experience in both Taekwondo and Uechi-Ryu Karate, which do you feel is more effective for self-defense? Did Uechi-ryu stress using your hands more than Taekwondo?

Reply

I think all styles of karate use hands for more defensive and offensive techniques than does either traditional or sport Taekwondo. For this reason, I think karate is more suited to self-defense situations than is Taekwondo, however, unless specialized techniques and training are included in their curriculums, neither karate nor Taekwondo is very effective in true self-defense situations or in warfare.