The Origins of Men's Martial Arts in Costa Rica (1913-1983)

Show, Personal Training and National Propagation

Abstract

Men's martial arts in Costa Rica emerged in 1913 with the arrival of Mitsuyo Maeda and several decades later with the masters Orlando Madrigal, Shunichi Kobayashi and Aquiles Wong. The last three dedicated themselves to teaching karate, judo and jiu jitsu, promoting the establishment of academies and training disciples. The State was interested in having its police officers trained at a sporting level in martial arts, so that they could provide a more professional service to citizens. He also established several academies within his premises. This article aims to describe the history of men's martial arts in Costa Rica, the relationships that existed between them, their private promotion and the state position regarding their promotion and social control from the introduction of jiu jitsu in 1913 until the incorporation from the shihan Orlando Madrigal to the Costa Rican Sports Gallery in 1983. To prepare this ethnographic historical record, a review of the commercial press was used where the pertinent information and images that illustrated what was referred to were compiled.