This list includes 9 Martial arts that start with W, from “Wado-ryu” to “Wuzuquan”. They range from Japanese karate derivatives to Chinese internal styles, covering striking, grappling and hybrid systems. Practitioners use them for self-defense, competition, fitness, and cultural practice.

Martial arts that start with W are styles whose common names begin with the letter W. They include notable examples like Wado-ryu, a major Japanese karate school, and Wuzuquan, a traditional Chinese art.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Focus, Founding period, and Notes.

Name: This column lists the recognized style name so you can quickly identify each martial art by its common title.

Origin: This shows the country or region where the style developed, helping you understand cultural and geographic roots.

Focus: You see whether a style emphasizes striking, grappling, weapons, or mixed training, useful for choosing practice goals.

Founding period: Provides the year, decade, or century it began, so you can gauge historical depth and modernity.

Notes: Contains brief clarifications, alternate names, or disputed entries that help you interpret irregular or ambiguous listings.

Martial arts that start with W

NameOrigin (Country)FocusFounded
Wing ChunChinaStrikinglate 18th century
Wado-ryuJapanStriking1939
WushuChinaStriking1958
White CraneChinaStriking17th century
Wu-style tai chiChinaHybridlate 19th century
Wu (Hao)-style tai chiChinaHybridmid 19th century
Welsh wrestlingWalesGrapplingmedieval period
Western boxingUnited KingdomStrikingmid 19th century
WuzuquanChinaStriking17th century

Descriptions

Wing Chun
Close-range southern Chinese striking art emphasizing economy of motion, centerline theory, sticky-hands sensitivity and practical self-defense.
Wado-ryu
Japanese karate style blending Shotokan strikes with jujutsu principles; emphasizes body shifting, evasion, locks and counter-angles.
Wushu
Modern Chinese martial sport combining traditional techniques with standardized routines, acrobatics and performance-focused training developed mid-20th century.
White Crane
Southern Chinese boxing family known for quick hand techniques, evasive footwork and conditioning; influential on Okinawan and southern systems.
Wu-style tai chi
Tai chi family emphasizing small-frame movements, compact posture and close-range applications developed by the Wu family lineage.
Wu (Hao)-style tai chi
Classical tai chi lineage noted for compact posture, internal alignment and subtle qigong-based training and applications.
Welsh wrestling
Traditional folk wrestling from Wales featuring upright holds, throws and festival competitions with deep historical roots.
Western boxing
Modern gloved sport boxing evolved from prizefighting; focuses on punches, footwork, timing and ringcraft under codified rules.
Wuzuquan
Five Ancestors fist blending techniques from multiple lineages; prominent in Fujian and Southeast Asia for close-range power and conditioning.
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