Chuck Norris excels in various martial arts styles and has created two of his own: American Tang Soo Do and Chun Kuk Do. His blend of martial arts training and acting talent made him a star in Hollywood, particularly in his iconic role in “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Norris is known for his fight scenes in 1980s action movies. He has studied and mastered numerous martial arts styles, which contributed to his massive success. His first major film role came at the invitation of his friend and fellow martial artist, Bruce Lee. Lee insisted that Norris play the villainous role of Colt in the 1972 film “The Way of the Dragon.” Their showdown in the film became one of the most recognizable fights in cinematic history. Encouraged by his student at the time, Steve McQueen, Norris began a storied journey in Hollywood action.
Norris is famous for some of the best fight scenes in 1980s action movies, such as “Silent Rage,” “The Octagon,” and “The Delta Force.” However, his biggest claim to fame came from his role as Cordell Walker in “Walker, Texas Ranger,” which ran for 196 episodes. His ability to expertly fuse his martial arts training with his acting is rare among American actors, and his knowledge of several styles has contributed to his massive success. Despite his broad expertise, there is one style Norris is most experienced in.
Did Bruce Lee Really Teach Chuck Norris Kung Fu?
Is it true that Chuck Norris was one of Bruce Lee’s students? Here’s what has been said about the relationship between these two martial arts legends.
Chuck Norris Is Best Known For His Karate (But Uses Other Styles Too).
He is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and Tang Soo Do. In the late ’50s and throughout the 1960s, after a stint in the United States Air Force, Chuck Norris began deeply exploring the martial art of karate.
He opened a martial arts studio and started training and competing in major karate tournaments. In 1967, he won the All-American Karate Championship after defeating seven opponents. He defended the title the next year and retired from the tournament. It was during this time that he met Bruce Lee, who would become his new training partner.
Besides karate (both the ancient arts of Shitō-ryū and Shotokan) and Tang Soo Do, Norris is highly skilled in the Korean arts of Taekwondo and Hapkido. He has also learned martial arts from other regions, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Filipino Arnis, and Judo. His knowledge of Japanese martial arts extends beyond Judo to include Kyokushin, Gōjū-ryū, and Kenpo. He holds black belts in Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Chuck Norris Created Two Fighting Styles Of His Own
Chuck Norris is credited with founding his own two styles of martial arts: American Tang Soo Do and Chun Kuk Do (Chuck Norris System). American Tang Soo Do combines five different martial arts styles, including the Korean arts of traditional Tang Soo Do and Moo Duk Kwan-style, Judo, and the Shitō-ryū and Shotokan styles of Karate. According to the American Tang Soo Do Association, Norris started the American Tang Soo Do system in 1973, along with the National Tang Soo Do Congress. This organization eventually branched off into the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF).
With the evolution of Tang Soo Do and the addition of more martial arts styles, Norris formed Chun Kuk Do, now known as the Chuck Norris System. He created his own moral code of honor for the system, consisting of 10 rules for its members to follow. The United Fighting Arts Federation continues to hold tournaments and training conferences in Las Vegas and has 90 schools worldwide in several countries.
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