Japanese Kickboxing developed into K-1 in 1993. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekondo, Savate, San Shou, Kickboxing and Western- style boxing. K-1 rules are similar to those of kickboxing the main difference between K-1 rules and kickboxing is the use of knees allowed in K-1.
The letter K in K-1 is officially designated by the organisation as a representation of the words kickboxing, karate and king fu.
K-1 techniques consist of high kicks, low kicks, knees strikes, punches and defensive movements.