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By this I don't mean the modern MMA style calling itself Pankration, or Jim Arvantis's "reconstruction". Nor do I mean a completely no-rules contest in which you can do everything up to kill your opponent. What I am talking about is an "all powers" event in the olympics as it used to have in ancient Greek times, with very few holds barred, and in which various styles could be pitted against one another--kind of like many of the MMA competitions today. No point sparring or anything of that sort (although the authorities would probably have to make it a little safer, unfortunately).
Still, think of how much more interesting the Olympics would be to watch...the best of the best from countries around the world, fighting with their native national styles against one another (certainly, there would be quite a few MMAists there too--but national pride being what it is at least some competitors would have a "bent" toward their native arts). I can see it now...Muay Thai boxers fighting Japanese Kyukoshin karatekas...Western boxers fighting Korean Hapkido or Tae Kwon Do practitioners...and for the first time styles will be represented as fairly as is humanly possible, with the BEST Martial Artists from their respective arts competing.
A pipe dream? Perhaps. But you never know...and wouldn't it be great?
Still, think of how much more interesting the Olympics would be to watch...the best of the best from countries around the world, fighting with their native national styles against one another (certainly, there would be quite a few MMAists there too--but national pride being what it is at least some competitors would have a "bent" toward their native arts). I can see it now...Muay Thai boxers fighting Japanese Kyukoshin karatekas...Western boxers fighting Korean Hapkido or Tae Kwon Do practitioners...and for the first time styles will be represented as fairly as is humanly possible, with the BEST Martial Artists from their respective arts competing.
A pipe dream? Perhaps. But you never know...and wouldn't it be great?