SOMETHING magazine
Synced!
Request for consent to store optional information

We do not need to store any information (cookies, etc.) for the basic functioning of the website. However, we would like to ask for your consent to store optional information:

Anonymous Unique ID

Thanks to it, next time we will know that it is the same device and we will be able to more accurately evaluate the traffic. This identifier is completely anonymous.

Aa

Aa

Aa

Aa

Aa

 

 

 

 

aA

Combat sports used in the military programs around the world


Written by Kevin


We generally view martial arts and combat sports as interesting kinds of sports or perhaps a way to fight or defend ourselves. Whatever your view of combat sports there is no denying that an effective technique or tactic will help soldiers or law enforcement in times of need. So buckle up, because in this article we will go through a variety of combat sports that are parts of a military program. Before we start I will explain the difference between a martial art and a combat sport: Martial arts are fighting systems, which have weapons and no rules, but combat sports are basically martial arts in a competition setting.



Okinawan Karate (空手)



Let's start off with one of the most popular martial arts in the world, though you may be confused with the first part of its name. Many know that karate originated in Japan but not everybody knows it was founded in Okinawa in roughly 1609 after the invasion of Ryukyu. 



What separates the Okinawan karate from the now more well-known mainland Japanese karate is the way it is taught and what is taught. In today's age it is rare to find a karate dojo that teaches karate techniques including grappling techniques and kobudo (a weapons-based martial art related to karate) together. 



Okinawan karate has more styles under its name like: Goju ryu, Uechi ryu or Shorin ryu.



These styles focus on self defence techniques which are not so allowed in the World Karate Federation, which leads to most of these styles mostly having their own separate competitions with full contact.



Okinawan karate includes striking, joint locks, bone conditioning and traditional weapons.



Bone conditioning is a crucial part of Okinawan karate. The traditional dojos focus on strengthening bones so they can be used as deadly weapons. 



The conditioned bones are tested in tameshiwari (breaking tests.)



Photo: “Okinawan Karate break a baseball bat in front of 10 000 spectators !”, youtube.com



Muay Thai (กล่องไทย)



Muay Thai, better  known as Thai boxing in the West, is a striking martial art that emphasises kicks, punches, elbows and the clinch. 



It is legendary for its low kicks and elbows because of the conditioning of the shins. Thai Boxers are known for kicking down banana trees and breaking bones with their iron shins.



The origins of Muay Thai can be traced back to the 16th century as a peace-time martial art practised by the soldiers.



Muay Thai has a reputation for being a tough sport by countries around the world because of the age of its young practitioners. In 2016 it was discovered that the number of child boxers was from 2-300,000 and some of them were as young as 4 years old.



This Thai martial art is not to be underestimated in MMA rings not just because of its techniques but also because of the mindset of the fighters who have mastered the steep learning curve of the sport.



Thai Boxing is also a part of Thai culture, including in folklore, and a tradition that is passed down from generation to generation.



Photo: “Muay Thai”, www.gymbangarang.com



Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ)



Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a grappling-based sport which has evolved from its Japanese ancestor.



It follows the teachings of the Japanese Kudokan martial arts school, which was founded by Jigoro Kano (the founder of Judo). Its approach is more modern and thus loses characteristics of Japanese martial arts, but don't let that influence your perception of  BJJ because the abandoned traditionalism allows for improvements which were learned from the present. 



This is the reason why competitions have separate events without the gi (uniform) 



BJJ's fighting style is focused on ground fighting techniques (choking, throws and joint locks.) and these techniques are responsible for changing everything from the first ever UFC in 1993 because of the lack of grappling and “one style” mentality. 



Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a great addition to mixed martial arts athletes and it is a must for them to know at least the basic principles and techniques. If they don't know, then it is only time will tell before they end up in an armbar. 



Photo: “UFC 1: What happened at the inaugural edition of this MMA showdown?”, sportskeeda.com



Boxing



It should come as  no surprise that boxing made the list and it does not need any introduction. Some may ask how boxing compares to martial arts which include kicking. The answer is fairly simple: head movement and the minimum requirement for stretching for kicks. Boxers are known for their agile head movements which make them hard to hit. In a practical situation it is better to throw the good old fashioned hook to the face instead of a risky roundhouse kick. 



People tend to think that boxing is easy because you are only punching, but forget the head movement. Every punch can be dodged with a “slip” or a “roll” and it is the art of “hit but don't get hit”. 



Boxers are known for their swift uppercuts, hooks and jabs which can take down anyone. What separates a bad boxer from a good one is the ability to be untouchable in the ring.



As the legendary Muhammad Ali said in his prime: “I can’t be beat! I had 180 amateur fights, 22 professional fights, and I’m pretty as a girl!” 



Photo: “Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston (2nd meeting)”, boxrec.com


Military Wiki, “Combat sports” https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Combat_sports


youtube.com, “Okinawan Karate break a baseball bat in front of 10 000 spectators !” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsVa2bP_nf4


Wikipedia.org, “Muay Thai” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muay_Thai


www.bangarang.com, “Muay Thai” https://www.gymbangarang.com/muay-thai-basics/


Wikipedia.org, “Brazilian jiu-jitsu” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu


Sportkeeda.com, “UFC 1: What happened at the inaugural edition of this MMA showdown” https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/ufc-1-what-happened-at-the-inaugural-edition-mma


youtube.com, “Muhammad Ali - “I'm as pretty as a girl!” “ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYDPXIRwMBE 


Boxrec.com, “Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston (2nd meeting)” https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Muhammad_Ali_vs._Sonny_Liston_(2nd_meeting)

Travel With Me: Backpacking Around Northern Italy


Written by Lucie


The summer holidays are slowly approaching and everyone seems to have everything planned. However, there still might be some people who seek inspiration. If you're one of them, I got you! Two months ago, some friends and I travelled around northern Italy and although our plans were very spontaneous, I would like to give you my personal tips on what to visit, see and do there, as well as motivate you to pack your backpacks (literally, we didn't have any other luggage with us) and hit the road!



PRO TIP: Search for accommodation on Airbnb or Booking.com



Milan



If you want to travel cheaply, I definitely recommend you choose Milan as your first travel destination. As of now (June 2022), the cheapest flight tickets can be found online for around 700 CZK. However, if you catch a good deal, you can buy them much cheaper. 



From a tourist’s point of view, Milan has a lot to offer, whether talking about the majestic Duomo (Milan Cathedral), the breathtaking Villa Reale di Milano with museum, or the best pudding croissants from the Farini Bakery.



Photo: Croissants from Farini, Lucie Bayerová 



Photo: Villa Reale di Milano, Lucie Bayerová  



PRO TIP: Walk everywhere you can. This is the best way to get to know the city!



Bergamo



Not far from Milan lies the historical city of Bergamo. It is easily accessible by train and not as touristy as Milan. Nonetheless, the hilly landscape gives the city its charm, and small family enterprises offering the best pizza under the Lombardian sun can be found on every corner. And if pizza is not your thing, you can rely on the local cafés, ideally with a view of hilly Bergamo. Compared to other cities, there isn't as much to see or do in Bergamo, but it is a perfect place to just enjoy the atmosphere and unwind.



Photo: Pizza, Lucie Bayerová 



Photo: Bergamo Views, Lucie Bayerová 



Lago di Como (Lake Como)



This place is my personal favourite and is a MUST when visiting northern Italy! This beautiful destination is not as popular as the well-known Lago di Garda, but according to many, it is much more authentic. If you are planning to visit Lake Como, you cannot forget to visit Varenna. This tiny village is famous for its botanical gardens located on the very coast of the lake, surrounded by freshly cut thujas and hanging purple-coloured wisteria trees. If any place on Earth is worth going to and seeing with your own eyes, it is Lake Como's Varenna.



PRO TIP: Best to visit in late afternoon, at the golden hour, when there are no people in sight.





Photos: Varenna, Lucie Bayerová 



Verona



No, Varenna and Verona aren't the same place. Varenna is by Lake Como, whereas Verona is where the romantic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet was set. Mentioning this play, Juliet's balcony is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. I don't recommend relying on seeing this place, as the queue in front of the famous yard seemingly never ends. However, if you are a true fan, you might want to set aside some time of the day just for this occasion. Besides that, Verona features a historical centre with predominantly Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture that gives the city its unique charm.



PRO TIP: Rent bikes and ride them around the city! (But be careful on the roads!)



Photo: Arena di Verona, Lucie Bayerová



Photo: Biking in Verona, Lucie Bayerová  



Bologna



When we visited Bologna, we did so with all our senses. Whether it was our eyes that saw the massive columned buildings, our noses that smelt the chalk used by street artists, or our ears that heard the shouting Italian voices, we could really feel the city come alive. In other words, Bologna seemed really busy, unlike the other cities that we visited in Italy. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to try the original pasta bolognese, but you definitely should!



PRO TIP: Accommodation in Bologna is quite expensive, but I promise that if you book a hotel in the nearby town of Vignola, you'll have loads of fun!



Photo: Street Art in Bologna, Lucie Bayerová  



Photo: Bologna, Lucie Bayerová 



Turin



As it goes, everything comes to an end, and Turin was an end to our journey. Despite having only a little time to explore the city, we saw some of the famous Piazza Castello square, Mole Antonelliana - the main symbol of Turin - and also some street art. Nonetheless, there are many more beautiful palaces and basilicas in Turin and more time is definitely needed to get the best out of the city!



Photo: Mole Antonelliana, Lucie Bayerová 



Photo: Art in Turin, Lucie Bayerová 



I hope this little guide has inspired at least some of you to plan a trip to northern Italy, whether with your friends, family, or just by yourself! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me, I'll be happy to help!


Netflix Tips For Summer


Written by Kája


School is coming to an end and so are homework and tests. Soon we will have more time to enjoy watching our favourite TV series or movies without any thoughts of having responsibilities. So let’s look at some new Netflix releases which can spice up your summer!



A Classic Horror Story



This is a great tip for people who want to have a creepy summer night. This movie is about five strangers who are travelling across southern Italy and become stranded in the woods and need to fight for their lives. It has some similarities with movies like Midsommar or The Ritual. If you enjoyed those movies you will definitely love this one. This movie includes some infantile Italian music which gives the movie a really spooky vibe. It isn't as bloody and scary as you would expect a horror movie to be but it's tense and shocking as a horror movie should be. It has a lot of originality in it which makes it worth a watch. 



Photo: A Classic Horror Story, IMDB.com



Heist



Don't be mistaken, I won't be talking about the Spanish TV series Money Heist. This is a Netflix documentary series about interesting heists that actually happened. Each one is interesting in its own way. It can be totally ridiculous or over the top. The stories are told by the people who organised the heists which is more reliable as it's first hand. One thing that is interesting about the stories is that the heists will likely never be resolved. It shows the history and build up to the heist and then aftermath of events. 



This miniseries is exciting, engaging and makes you want to know more about the story. 



Photo: Heist, IMDB.com



!For Stranger Things fans!



On July 1st the second half of Stranger Things season 4 will be released. The last two episodes in season 4 will be extraordinarily long - with the longest episode at two and a half hours. I think we have something to look forward to!



Photo: Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2, bt.com



There are many new TV series that are supposed to come out during the summer. This is all from me about Netflix tips. Let’s all enjoy our summer break and we’ll see each other next school year.


IMDB.com, ''A Classic Horror Story'', https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12877640/?ref_=tt_mv_close


IMDB.com, '' IMDB.com, '', 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14865290/?ref_=tt_urv


Bt.com, ''Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2'', https://www.bt.com/tv/drama/stranger-things-season-4-volume-2-release-date-plot-recap-netflix-uk#:~:text=Stranger%20Things%20Series%204%20Volume,sheer%20length%20of%20the%20episodes.

Content

something. Seventh issue, title screen
something. Seventh issue, Our Crew
something. Seventh issue, introduction
something. Seventh issue, Once upon a time in fashion
something. Seventh issue, gabes
something. Seventh issue, From A to Z
something. Seventh issue, sports
something. Seventh issue, Travel with me
something. Seventh issue, Netflix
something. Seventh issue, title screen

title screen

something. Seventh issue, Our Crew

Our Crew

something. Seventh issue, introduction

introduction

something. Seventh issue, Once upon a time in fashion

Once upon a time in fashion

something. Seventh issue, gabes

gabes

something. Seventh issue, From A to Z

From A to Z

something. Seventh issue, sports

sports

something. Seventh issue, Travel with me

Travel with me

something. Seventh issue, Netflix

Netflix

8

Sending statistics …

Rendering Netflix (230900): (1/1) (0 ms)

Rendering Travel with me (230899): (1/1) (0 ms)

Rendering sports (230898): (1/1) (0 ms)

No sync content to local

Viewport set: width=device-width, user-scalable=0; scale = 1

No sync content to local

Screen: article

--==[ RUN ]==--

something.: theme set to 5680

Device info: input=mouse, webkitPrefix=no, screen=1264x0(1)

Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)

 i5731/item312778-small.jpg

 i5731/item312775-small.jpg

 i5731/item312777-small.jpg