Grappling style to work well with Shotokan?

[bub4444]

I'm looking at starting a grappling martial art to along with my striking art (Shotokan Karate). I would prefer something practical in a real fight, which I hear Aikido is not, and I have heard that Judo is mostly sport oriented and is not intended to hurt the opponent. I was thinking maybe BJJ or traditional JJ, but I don't know a lot about either of them. I'd be great if someone had some suggestions about what practical style goes with Shotokan, and if you have a recommendation of a club in Toronto, that would also be great. Thanks!

[Ichi_Geki]

Well, alot of people say shotokan is the least of the karate world, but I will stand to beg to differ that with any martial art its relies upon the martial artist not the art it self.

So. If you have an Aikido school around you or a Judo school around you i suggest you check it out and try a dfew of the classes before you go about what others say about it....

Just my opinion any hoo...welcome to the forum ...

[bub4444]

Of course I meant no offense to Judo or Aikido, I was just going by the little information I had, and that's why I asked you guys for your opinions, because I'm sure you know a lot more than I do about grappling arts.

Edit: And yes, I know that the artist is more important than the style, but some arts are more sport oriented (not that they are worse) and some are more practically oriented.

[Ichi_Geki]

Even the sport orientated ones can be effective. You just have to study it enough to make it work.

Join a Judo Kai and learn the way, whether it be Kodokan or a knock off...Just joking on the knock off part.

But anyone can make a sport an effective self defense technique.Toshihiko Koga is one of the best Judoka, and he doesn't make it look like a sport.

[RichardZ]

I would have to agree and state to study Judo.

[Ichi_Geki]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6i3WaVNpGM

Thats Koga San there.

Very excellent Judo...

BUT...if your a girl im not sure if you are or not...

Google or go to youtube and look for Ryoki Tani...Judoka

[RichardZ]

What would being a female have anything to do with it?

[Ichi_Geki]

That was preventative measure if they said they could not be like Koshihiko Koga. Ryoki Tani is by far the best female judoka in my opinion.

[RichardZ]

Ah, indeed, there are many good female martial artists out htere.

[Ichi_Geki]

Hai, Onaga Michiko Sense, Nao Morooka, Ryoki Tani, etc etc