This list includes 15 Martial arts that start with C, from “Canarian wrestling” to “Cornish wrestling”. Many entries are regional folk styles with long cultural roots, while others evolved into modern competitive sports and self-defense systems.

Martial arts that start with C are combat systems and traditional styles whose common link is an English name beginning with the letter C. They span folk wrestling, classical striking arts, and hybrid systems, showing varied cultural histories and uses.

Below you’ll find the table with Style, Origin (country/region), Focus (Striking/Grappling/Hybrid), and Founding period.

Style: The commonly used name of the art, so you can identify and search for each style quickly.

Origin (country/region): The place most associated with the art, which helps you understand its cultural and geographic background.

Focus (Striking/Grappling/Hybrid): The primary technical emphasis, so you can judge whether the art suits sport, self-defense, or groundwork training.

Founding period: An approximate year, decade, or century of origin, useful for gauging historical depth and development.

Martial arts that start with C

NameOrigin countryPrimary focusFounded
CapoeiraBrazilHybrid16th–19th centuries
Capoeira AngolaBrazilHybrid19th century
Capoeira RegionalBrazilHybrid1932
Canne de combatFranceWeapons1890s
Catch wrestlingEnglandGrappling19th century
Choy Li FutChinaStriking/Weapons1836
Choi Kwang DoSouth KoreaStriking1987
Chun Kuk DoUnited StatesHybrid1990
Chin NaChinaGrapplingMing dynasty
ChuojiaoChinaStriking/Weapons17th century
ChangquanChinaStriking17th–19th century
Combat SamboRussiaHybrid1930s
Cornish wrestlingEnglandGrappling13th century
Chinese martial artsChinaHybridAncient; recorded c. 5th century BCE
Canarian wrestlingSpainGrapplingPre‑colonial; 19th century codification

Descriptions

Capoeira
Afro‑Brazilian art mixing dance, acrobatics, music and combat; known for fluid kicks, sweeps and ritual roda traditions.
Capoeira Angola
Older Capoeira branch emphasizing low, strategic play, music and tradition; considered the more ritual and historical style.
Capoeira Regional
Modernized Capoeira system by Mestre Bimba emphasizing structured training, speed and competitive techniques for effective self‑defense.
Canne de combat
French sport of stick fighting using a cane with formal footwork, striking patterns and competitive rules.
Catch wrestling
Submission‑oriented “catch-as-catch-can” wrestling from British working‑class traditions, influential in pro wrestling and modern grappling arts.
Choy Li Fut
Southern Chinese kung fu combining fast, powerful strikes with flexible footwork and extensive weapons forms, founded by Chan Heung.
Choi Kwang Do
Contemporary system focused on biomechanics, natural movement and practical self‑defense, developed by Choi Kwang‑jo after Taekwondo experience.
Chun Kuk Do
Martial art and federation founded by Chuck Norris mixing Tang Soo Do, karate and practical self‑defense with a formal curriculum.
Chin Na
Ancient Chinese art of joint locks, controls and seizing techniques, commonly integrated into many kung fu styles for close‑range control.
Chuojiao
Northern “Poking Feet” system known for rapid, powerful kicks, linked footwork and complementary weapon forms.
Changquan
Long Fist family from northern China emphasizing extended, long‑range striking techniques and athletic, expansive forms.
Combat Sambo
Soviet military system combining throws, submissions and striking; later formalized as a competitive combat sport with protective gear.
Cornish wrestling
Traditional wrestling of Cornwall focused on jacket grips and upright throws, historically practiced at fairs and still preserved today.
Chinese martial arts
Umbrella term for China’s diverse combat systems (kung fu/wushu), covering striking, grappling and weapons over millennia.
Canarian wrestling
Traditional wrestling from the Canary Islands rooted in indigenous Guanche practice, later codified with local rules and festivals.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.