this topic is occasionally brought up in Black Belt magazine. i feel there is really only 3 categories, Traditional, sport and self-defense/combat. its not the art that defines its place but the desired goal. this is where the confusion takes place. you get alot of traditional martial artists claiming that thier art is self-defense or would do well in sport fighting. sport fighters generally know where they stand and are never really an issue. true self defense systems are based on real life situations, not theoretical outcomes. you don't wear a Gi and there are no belts. yet at the same time people take Kung-fu for self defense when the chances of being attacked by someone using the crane stance is unlikely.
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