Freestyle Wrestling vs Hapkido

Freestyle Wrestling and Hapkido are both dynamic martial arts that focus on grappling techniques, but they have distinct differences in their approaches and philosophies. Freestyle Wrestling is a competitive sport that emphasizes takedowns and ground control, while Hapkido is a self-defense system that incorporates strikes, joint locks, and throws.

General information

Freestyle Wrestling
Hapkido
Introduction :
Freestyle wrestling is a dynamic and intense martial art that focuses on takedowns, throws, and ground grappling techniques. Originating from ancient Greece, it has evolved into a popular sport practiced worldwide. Freestyle wrestling is not only a competitive sport but also a great form of exercise for improving strength, agility, and endurance. It is also a practical form of self-defense, teaching individuals how to control and neutralize opponents in close combat situations.
Introduction :
Hapkido is a Korean martial art that focuses on self-defense techniques, joint locks, throws, and strikes. It emphasizes circular motion, redirection of an opponent's force, and the use of leverage to overcome larger opponents. Hapkido is popular for its practical applications in self-defense situations and is also used for fitness and mental discipline. With its roots in traditional Korean martial arts, Hapkido has gained popularity worldwide for its effective techniques and comprehensive training methods.
Advantages :
  • Freestyle wrestling is a highly effective martial art for self-defense, focusing on takedowns and ground control.
  • It provides excellent physical conditioning, improving strength, agility, and endurance.
  • Freestyle wrestling is a popular sport with a competitive aspect, offering opportunities for tournaments and competitions.
  • It enhances mental toughness and discipline through rigorous training and competition.
  • Freestyle wrestling teaches valuable skills for close combat situations, such as clinching and grappling.
Advantages :
  • Hapkido emphasizes practical self-defense techniques over flashy moves, making it effective in real-life situations.
  • Hapkido utilizes joint locks and pressure points, allowing practitioners to control and subdue opponents with minimal effort.
  • Hapkido’s circular movements and redirection of force make it suitable for all body types and ages.
  • Hapkido incorporates strikes, kicks, and throws, providing a well-rounded skillset for self-defense.
  • Hapkido promotes mental and physical discipline, improving focus, concentration, and overall well-being.
Disadvantages :
  • Limited striking techniques compared to other martial arts.
  • High risk of injuries due to intense physical contact.
  • Requires a lot of strength and endurance, which may be challenging for some.
  • Can be difficult for beginners to learn and master.
  • Limited self-defense applications in real-life situations.
Disadvantages :
  • Limited focus on striking techniques
  • Emphasis on joint locks may not be practical in all situations
  • Less competitive opportunities compared to other martial arts
  • Requires significant time and dedication to master
  • Not as well-known or widely practiced as other martial arts
🟡 Popularity : Somewhat.
Freestyle wrestling is popular in many countries with strong wrestling traditions, such as the United States, Russia, and Iran. It is also a popular sport in high schools and colleges.
🟡 Popularity : Somewhat.
Hapkido is somewhat popular, with a dedicated following in certain regions and among martial arts enthusiasts. It may not be as widely practiced as some more mainstream martial arts, but it has a strong community.


General application

Freestyle Wrestling
Hapkido
🟡 Difficulty : Average.
Getting started in freestyle wrestling requires learning fundamental techniques and rules, as well as developing physical strength and agility. While it may not be as complex as some martial arts, it still requires dedication and practice.
🟡 Difficulty : Average.
Getting started in Hapkido can be average in difficulty. Basic techniques can be learned relatively quickly, but mastering the art requires dedication and practice. Some physical fitness and flexibility are beneficial.
🟡 Self defense : Average.
Freestyle wrestling can be somewhat useful for self-defense on the street due to its focus on takedowns and grappling techniques. However, it may not address all aspects of real-world self-defense scenarios.
🟢 Self defense : Good.
Hapkido is a comprehensive martial art that focuses on self-defense techniques such as joint locks, throws, and strikes. Its practical application in real-world street situations makes it a good choice for self-defense.
🟢 Fitness : Good.
Freestyle wrestling is an excellent way to keep fit, with high levels of exertion and physical demand. It improves strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall cardiovascular fitness, making it a great choice for martial arts enthusiasts.
🟢 Fitness : Good.
Hapkido is a great way to improve fitness as it involves a combination of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility. The dynamic movements and techniques require exertion and can help improve overall physical conditioning.
🟢 Competitions : Good.
Freestyle wrestling has a well-established competitive scene with accessible sporting competitions at various levels, including local, national, and international events. There are recognized awarding bodies and governing organizations for the sport.
🟢 Competitions : Good.
Hapkido has a well-established competitive scene with accessible sporting competitions at various levels, organized by recognized awarding bodies. Competitions offer practitioners the chance to showcase their skills and compete against others.


Techniques

Freestyle Wrestling
Hapkido
🔴 Punching : Poor.
Freestyle wrestling is not focused on punching techniques, so it is not ideal for developing punching skills. Wrestlers primarily use grappling and takedown techniques rather than striking with punches.
🟡 Punching : Average.
Hapkido focuses more on joint locks, throws, and kicks rather than punching techniques. While it does include some punching techniques, it may not be as comprehensive as other martial arts specifically focused on punching.
🔴 Elbowing : Poor.
Freestyle wrestling is not good for punching as it primarily focuses on grappling and takedowns, with limited training in striking techniques like punches. Elbows are not typically used in freestyle wrestling.
🟢 Elbowing : Good.
Hapkido is good for punching as it incorporates a range of striking techniques, including punches and combinations of elbows, making it effective for close combat situations and self-defense scenarios.
🔴 Kneeing : Poor.
Freestyle wrestling focuses on takedowns, grappling, and controlling opponents on the mat, rather than striking techniques. It does not emphasize punching skills, making it less suitable for those looking to improve their punching abilities.
🟡 Kneeing : Average.
Hapkido focuses more on joint locks, throws, and kicks rather than punching. While punching techniques are taught, they are not the primary focus of the art. It is better suited for a variety of striking techniques.
🔴 Kicking : Poor.
Freestyle wrestling does not involve kicking techniques. It focuses on takedowns, throws, and grappling on the mat, making it unsuitable for practitioners looking to develop kicking skills in their martial arts practice.
🟢 Kicking : Good.
Hapkido is good for kicking as it incorporates a wide range of kicks, including spinning and jumping kicks. It emphasizes fluidity and precision in executing kicks, making it effective for self-defense and combat situations.
🟢 Throwing : Good.
Freestyle wrestling is good for throws as it includes a wide range of dynamic throws such as hip tosses, arm throws, and leg trips. Wrestlers learn effective combinations of throws to take down opponents.
🟢 Throwing : Good.
Hapkido is known for its extensive range of throws, including joint locks and sweeps. Practitioners learn various types of throws and how to seamlessly combine them with other techniques for effective self-defense.
🟢 Joint locks : Good.
Freestyle wrestling is good for joint locks and holds, as it involves a range of techniques such as arm bars, wrist locks, and leg locks. Wrestlers can effectively control and submit opponents using these techniques.
🟢 Joint locks : Good.
Hapkido is known for its extensive range of joint locks and holds, making it a highly effective martial art for controlling and subduing opponents through joint manipulation techniques.
🟢 Grappling : Good.
Freestyle wrestling is good for ground fighting as it focuses on takedowns, control, and pins on the mat. Wrestlers learn techniques for dominating opponents in close combat situations, making it effective for ground fighting.
🟢 Grappling : Good.
Hapkido is good for ground fighting as it incorporates a range of techniques such as joint locks, throws, and strikes that can be effective in close combat situations. It also emphasizes controlling and neutralizing opponents on the ground.
🟢 Defense : Good.
Freestyle wrestling incorporates a range of effective blocking and defensive techniques such as sprawls, hand fighting, and hip positioning. Wrestlers are trained to react quickly and anticipate opponents' moves for strong defense.
🟢 Defense : Good.
Hapkido is known for its effective range of blocks and defense techniques, which include joint locks, throws, and strikes. The combination of these techniques makes it a strong martial art for self-defense and protection.


When choosing between Freestyle Wrestling and Hapkido, it ultimately depends on your goals and preferences. If you are looking for a competitive sport with a focus on takedowns and ground control, Freestyle Wrestling may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are interested in a self-defense system that incorporates a variety of techniques including strikes and joint locks, Hapkido could be the better option. Consider your objectives and training style to make the best decision for your martial arts journey.