Are traditional martial arts 'useless'?

Michael (US)

Unlike a MMA fighter, Taichi is not meant for acutal combat but a means of seeking health and peace through movement. Street fighters often use the overwhelming tactics - be it punches or kicks, to gain the upper hand. I'm curious why a Taichi master would choose to issue such a challenge: surely it goes against the ethics of the art?

A foreigner practices Taichi (or taijiquan) a Chinese martial art, in martial art training school in Shibanqiao village, Yangshuo county, Guilin city of South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous regions, Sept 14, 2011.[Photo/CFP]