The Underrated Style of Japanese Kickboxing
The story of “kickboxing is fashion” + a short winded rant on the brands kickboxers wear
Everyone knows the NBA tunnel has turned into a major fashion runway but not many people know that the same is happening in Japanese kickboxing.
If you follow me on Twitter you’d know about the term “Kickboxing is fashion”. I think I first tweeted that saying back in 2019 after watching old K-1 videos on YouTube.
It then caught on with a few friends I’ve met thru the sport of kickboxing.
I may have stopped saying it the last couple years but the young fighters haven’t stopped wearing name brands®. This is not me saying go out and buy expensive clothes because in this economy it’s basically impossible but it is cool that the youth in K-1 Japan wear Supreme and Stussy but also brands like Aime Leon Dore and Chrome Hearts.
Of course we can’t forget about the choke hold Stone Island has on the European Kickboxing scene.
At least in K-1 Japan dressing up for fights, Tv showings, press conferences etc is highly encouraged.
For a couple years K-1 Japan had their own fight/fashion magazine called K-Styles. Wether it’s actually a fashion magazine is up for debate but come on it has ‘Style’ in the name and plus they were really cool.
So is kickboxing fashion? I’ll let you decide. I could keep going but we’re reaching the end of the length I’m allowed for a single email so keep an eye out for Part 2. Go support The Podcast About Kickboxing and rate them 5 Stars on Apple podcast.