Discovery Channel’s latest offering ‘Fight Quest’
by Tellywatch News Team
May 16, 2008, Mumbai

Featuring the world’s oldest martial art forms, Discovery Channel Fight Quest team is currently in Kerala filming an episode on its martial arts legacy - Kalarippayat - recognised as one of the world’s most comprehensive personal combat training schemes. A blend of cultural immersion and good old fashioned smackdown Discovery Channel’s premiere series Fight Quest premieres every Tuesday at 9 pm on Discovery Channel.

In the series, viewers will get to travel the world learning various forms of hand-to-hand combat and martial art traditions. In each episode, hosts Doug Anderson and seasoned martial arts fighter Jimmy Smith will explore a new location identified with a style of fighting, such as Wushu in China, Kali in Philippines, Krav Maga in Israel, Kalarippayat in India and Boxing in Mexico.

Fight Quest blends cultural experiences with the hard-edged thrill of actual fights. In the series, the hosts immerse themselves in the local culture and train with experts for five days before facing off against the toughest competitors the place has to offer. The challenges are tough, experiences are grueling and very often traumatizing. The hosts are often knocked out; they sweat, bleed and sometimes break their bones to reveal the fighter's mentality and instinct.

Commenting on the series, Discovery Communications India’s spokesperson said, “Fight Quest explores some of the most ancient and lethal martial art forms from around the world. In the series, viewers will learn about the unique history and tradition of each marital art form, the discipline required to perfect the art and its benefits for the body and mind. We are excited that an Indian martial art form, Kalarippayat, would be showcased to Discovery viewers around the world.”
Fight quest’s focus is on

India – KalarippayatThe training includes exercises to develop sharp reflexes for unarmed combat and techniques of combat using mace, spears, daggers and sword and shield.

Philippines - KaliKali is a weapon based fighting art that can easily kill a person with one strike. It is a type of Filipino martial art that uses knives, sticks and batons to inflict major damage. Not trained for sport or as a hobby, the art form is often taught to police. •China – Wushu and SandaWushu is a branch of Chinese martial arts that involves both weaponry and hand-to-hand combat.