Different Kinds of Takedowns
There are several different kinds of takedowns. Oftentimes, the term is used to describe the kinds of martial arts techniques that wrestlers use. However, throws are also considered takedowns. Throws come from the throwing styles of martial arts, some of the more popular of which are Judo, Aikido, and Hapkido.
Martial Arts Styles That Teach Takedowns to a Significant Extent
- Aikido
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Judo
- Hapkido
- Russian Sambo
- Shootfighting
- Shuai Jiao
- Wrestling
Five Top Takedown Artists
- Randy Couture: Couture was an All-American collegiate wrestler. However, he’s best known for being the only five time UFC Champion. His ability to take opponents down at will has made him one of the greatest ground and pound fighters ever.
- Dan Gable: A lightweight gold medal wrestler at the 1972 Olympic Games and loser of only one match while wrestling for Iowa State, Gable once had some of the greatest takedowns going. From there he went on to coach the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team, where his teams won 15 NCAA team championships from 1976-98.
- Alexander Karelin: Nicknamed “The Russian Bear”, Karelin was an absolutely dominant super heavyweight Greco Roman wrestler for the former Soviet Union and Russia that won Olympic gold medals in 1988, 1992, and 1996. He went undefeated in international competition from 1987-2000 and went the last six years of that unbeaten streak without even giving up a point. He is widely considered to be the greatest Greco Roman wrestler of all-time, and his takedowns were absolutely brutal.
- Masahiko Kimura: Kimura, who passed away in 1993, is widely considered to be one of the greatest judokas of all-time. His takedowns and overall fight game was amazing. Along with this, he won numerous judo championships and even had a submission hold named for him (the “Kimura) after defeating Helio Gracie with the move in 1955.
