Actually Europe has a long history of kicking arts starting with the Greeks. And many european martial arts, wrestling styles that included some kicking were still around. however europe’s greatest martial art, technology, killed most of those styles off.

Sailors may have learned a few things But I think asians probably learned a few things from us too. It is my guess that the sailors that learned and shared the most martial knowledge were probably pirates.

I say this because of pirate ships often had crew members from many different races. Also because the cutlass invented by pirates and became the favored hand to hand sword for all pirates and navy’s the world over. SO Sure it is possible that some french guys learned a few things but it can just as easily be said that some asians learned a few things from the French.

Now add to that a fighting crew was comprised of men that were taught to sail and fight from the age of 13 and some times younger. By the time a salor reached asia he was hardened close combat veteran. I do not think any of them feared getting into it with any asians at a bar.

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