In training, there usually is the longing for 'strength'. I myself trained with the desire to become stronger. Then I started to question. 'What does being strong really mean?', 'Is there any martial art that is originally strong or weak?', 'When do we say that something is strong?"

Firstly, thinking 'whether there is any martial art that is originally strong or weak?' I reached the conclusion that there is no such thing. Is Muay Thai, so called the champion of stand-up fightings, the strongest martial art? Or is Jiu Jitsu, the ruler of the ground, the strongest? What about MMA which represents UFC? Is Taekwondo which has the most number of trainees worldwide the strongest? By what standard can we call a martial art is strong?

Let's assume 'strength' means ①the ability to win in any situation. Some may say, 'MMA is the strongest since it has both stand-up fighting skills and ground skills together.' I agree with it to a certain extent. With the above assumption of 'strength', however, MMA is not the strongest martial art. It is because MMA is only so strong when it is played within the rule of 'MMA'. When it goes out the boundary of 'MMA', it is quite incomplete in many aspects. What if 'Fedor', who was once called the Last Emperor fought, in Taekwondo contest? He wouldn't make through the first round.

Modern martial arts prove 'strength' through matches. Match based martial arts could only develop by its rules, and exhibit its maximum effect within the rules. Since there can't be a complete mix of martial arts, it is hard to discuss the comparative strength between martial arts.

We can also find it from the match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki. It is just an example, but it fully shows that every martial arts have their own rules. So I think the choice of martial art is decided by personal preference and the purpose of training, and the strength is determined by the ability of the individual.

Then what does 'strength' really mean? The assumption① focused on comparative and external aspects. Now why don't we focus on the internal aspect?

Like I mentioned in my previous writing, what if we assume 'strength' as 'the process of acquiring the will to change our life through training?' It is a tough process. We always plan and try to practice it, but give up shortly after a few days. It's the same with training martial arts. Then we move on looking for something else. We also easily give up when we think we've reached our limit, and we repeat it. It is not only about martial art. It is the same with our daily lives.

It is easy to spot external aspect of strength. When we work out and make progress in matches, we can find ourselves becoming stronger. On the other side, it is hard to feel that we have become stronger internally. When we become firm and steady, have the courage to overcome hardship, and carry out the plan, then we may be able to say that we have 'become stronger'.

I personally think the 'strength' all martial artists need to aim for is the internal power that changes our attitude toward our life. The one with 'strong' will to change our life is the one who carries genuine 'strength' instead of the one who wins against an opponent. Thus, such inner strength should be our reason for training in today's world.