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The Axe Kick
Axe kick
An axe kick is characterized by the straightened leg coming down on an opponent. The starting phase involves the foot being moved in an arc up and forward, like a crescent kick. The arc motion is stopped, and the attacking foot is brought down to strike the target from above, in imitation of an axe. The arc can be performed in either an inward (clockwise) or outward (counter-clockwise) fashion. In some styles, this is known as a downward kick. It is known in Japanese "kakato geri" and as "Chikyo Chagi" or "Nerio Chagi in Korean.". Axe kicks must be practiced carefully because they can very easily be used to accidentally injure one's sparring partner.
One of the most famous proponents of the axe kick was the late Andy Hug, the Swiss karateka that won the 1996 K-1 Grand Prix. He won countless fights with this kick, and it was in fact called the "Andy kick" in some circles. In his K-1 fight against Masaaki Satake, he KO'd the Japanese fighter in 15 seconds with this kick at the tail end of a jab-cross-kick combination, slamming his foe's jaw with the upward swing.
The Axe Kick
Axe kick
An axe kick is characterized by the straightened leg coming down on an opponent. The starting phase involves the foot being moved in an arc up and forward, like a crescent kick. The arc motion is stopped, and the attacking foot is brought down to strike the target from above, in imitation of an axe. The arc can be performed in either an inward (clockwise) or outward (counter-clockwise) fashion. In some styles, this is known as a downward kick. It is known in Japanese "kakato geri" and as "Chikyo Chagi" or "Nerio Chagi in Korean.". Axe kicks must be practiced carefully because they can very easily be used to accidentally injure one's sparring partner.
One of the most famous proponents of the axe kick was the late Andy Hug, the Swiss karateka that won the 1996 K-1 Grand Prix. He won countless fights with this kick, and it was in fact called the "Andy kick" in some circles. In his K-1 fight against Masaaki Satake, he KO'd the Japanese fighter in 15 seconds with this kick at the tail end of a jab-cross-kick combination, slamming his foe's jaw with the upward swing.