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Modern Sports Karate (MSK) was developed in 1970s by Dr. Rudolf Jakhel in RWTH Aachen, Germany. MSK is focused primarily on the athletic competition (Kumite).

Origin
Modern Sports Karate was founded in 1971 when Prof. Dr. Rudolf Jakhel took over as mentor to students of sports specialization in karate at the University of Technology, RWTH/FH Aachen, Germany.

The problem of teaching karate at an academic institution motivated him to undertake extensive research on the possibilities of rationalization in karate. He kept working on this project wherever he lived. Considering sports fighting as the very didactive objective in sports karate, he eventually developed a style-independent, direct teaching method. His ideas have been accepted in various countries, especially by university karate circles.

MSK Book
A book "Modern Sports Karate: Basic Techniques and Tactics" written by the founder has been published in several editions and different languages including German, English, Czech and Slovenian.

Since it doesn't depend on the Japanese teaching forms, this book is a refreshing change from 'regular' karate books. Jakhel successfully undertakes an already long overdue attempt to analyze the subject of training in karate with Western know-how and Western logic. This is a welcome approach, because it makes the learning process faster and more efficient... The way in which Jakhel presents his material should be encouraged, because it contributes to the emancipation of Europe from Japan and helps it to reach its true limit of performance in sports karate...It is to be welcomed as a contribution to a trend which has been developing for some time now.

Repertoire
Modern Sports Karate stands out from the traditional karate styles with two essential features: its clear focus on sports-bout, and its movements that have been optimized according to the sports science.

MSK fighting techniques repertoire includes only those actions that can actually be used in a sports-fight, and teaches ways to apply them. Didactics combined with the sports science knowledge makes it possible to clearly establish why the motion should have one form or another. Clearly defined forms of movement are in turn an important prerequisite for an athletic competition; thus it can be measured at how well the participants mastered themselves in the athletic skills (kata). In addition to that, in a sport combat with clearly defined multi-point rule system it is possible to demonstrate the learned techniques and tactics. Therefore, the sports karate fight is leaned down to all of the attacks being executed in a pre-determined and evident form.