Sanshou
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Sanshou (Chinese: 散手; pinyin: sǎnshǒu; literally "free hand") or Sanda (Chinese: 散打; pinyin: sǎndǎ; literally "free fighting") is a modern Chinese hand to hand combat, self-defense system, and combat sport. Not seen as an independent style, it is rather considered just one of the components of Chinese martial arts (Kung fu) and is normally taught alongside other wushu. The term Sanda has a longer history and is more commonly used. Sanshou was the official name given to the martial art when it was formalized and standardized by the Chinese government. Later the official name reverted back to Sanda.
It is composed of some aspects of traditional martial arts fighting styles in China, but mainly based on scientific one-on-one combat efficiency. Sanshou is composed of Chinese martial arts applications including most aspects of combat including striking and grappling. Sanda tournaments are one of the two sport wushu disciplines recognized by the International Wushu Federation.[1]
Sanshou's history involved barehanded or lei tai fights in which no rules existed. However, as a competitive event sanshou developed in the military as these bouts were commonly held between the soldiers to test and practise barehanded martial skills, ability and techniques. Rules were developed and the use of protective gloves etc. was adopted. It was originally used by the Kuomintang at the first modern military academy in Whampoa in the 1920s[2]. Later it was also adopted as a method by the People's Liberation Army of China.
One can see Sanshou as a synthesis of traditional Chinese kung fu fighting techniques into a more amorphous system and is commonly taught alongside traditional Chinese styles which Sanshou techniques, theory and training methods are derived from. The emphasis of Sanshou is on realistic fighting ability.
As an unarmed self-defense, close combat system, Sanshou includes da (punches), ti (kicks), shuai (grappling), and na (throws, locks, chokes). Sanda unlike other stand up fighting styles, has a very great emphasis on throws. One of its most distinguished techniques is the "kick catch". When the one person kicks and the person performing the throw catches the kick and then trips the person kicking when he's on one leg. While other kickboxing styles, such as Muay Thai also allow this, the kick catch is emphisized in San Shou because of the importance it is given by the judges.
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[edit] Sport
As a sport, San Shou/San Da is practiced in tournaments and is normally held alongside taolu events in wushu competition. For safety reasons, some techniques from the self-defense form such as elbow strikes, chokes, and joint locks, are not allowed during tournaments. Furthermore, when competition is held on a raised lei tai platform it is possible to defeat the opponent by moving (whether by throwing, striking, or otherwise pushing) him out of the competition area. Fighters are only allowed to clinch for a few seconds. If the clinch is not broken by the fighters, and if neither succeeds in throwing his opponent within the time limit, the referee will break the clinch.
In the US, competitions are held either in boxing rings or on the raised lei tai platform. Amateur fighters wear protective gear. "Amateur Sanshou" allows kicks, punches and throws. If the rule set is referred to as "San Da", knees to the body are also permitted. A competition held in China, called the "King of Sanda", is held in a ring similar to a boxing ring in design but larger in dimension. As professionals, they wear no protective gear except for gloves, cup, and mouthpeice, and are allowed to use knee strikes (including to the head) as well as kicking, punching and throwing.
Some Sanshou fighters have participated in fighting tournaments such as K-1 and Shoot boxing. They have had some degree of success, especially in Shoot boxing competitions, which is more similar to Sanshou. Due to the rules of kickboxing competition, Sanshou fighters are subjected to more limitations than usual.
Sanshou has been featured in many style-versus-style competitions. Muay Thai is frequently pitted against Sanshou as is Karate, Kickboxing and Taekwondo.
Although it is less common, some San Shou practitioners have also fought in Mixed Martial Arts, including Cung Le, who won the Strikeforce middleweight title, after defeating Frank Shamrock. Other San Shou/San Da based fighters who have entered MMA include KJ Noons and James Fanshier[3].
[edit] Famous competitors
Some well-known Chinese Sanda fighters include Yuan Yubao, Baoligao, and Liu Hailong who is known as "The Conqueror of Muay Thai" as he has beaten many of the top Muay Thai fighters. Some Sanda (Sanshou) fighters who are well-known in the United States include the IKF and Strikeforce middleweight champion, Cung Le, as well as Jason Yee [4], Rudi Ott[5], Marvin Perry[6] and Scott Sonnon[citation needed]. Salihov Muslim from Russia was a European Champion in 2004, a world champion in 2005 (both in 80kg category), and in 2006 Muslim beat 4 top Chinese fighters from different weight cateogries, including the Chinese champion from the 90kg category, to claim the Sanda "Wangzhongwang" (King of Kings) title.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
- Sanshou.com
- King of San Da
- Sanda Video Instructions from China
- International Kickboxing Foundation
- New York San Da
- United States Kickboxing Association
- A Brief History of Sanshou, American Wu Shu Society
- San Da for Mixed Martial Arts
- San Da Vs. Muay Thai, Kung Fu Magazine
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| Changquan • Dao • Qiang • Jian • Gun | Sanda |
| Nanquan • Nandao • Nangun |
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| Taijiquan • Taijijian | International Wushu Federation |
| World Wushu Championships | |
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