Sanda is the sporting side of san shou , where strict rules apply regarding the techniques that may be applied. It is also called Chinese kickboxing. San shou is a form of Chinese self-defense art and martial art . It consists of free fighting and contains various elements of styles within wushu .
Origin of Sanda
San shou was developed in the sixties of the twentieth century by the Chinese army on behalf of the Chinese government . This was in response to their experiences during the Korean War. Various traditional styles were studied, and a selection was made from these, combined with modern insights. It can therefore be seen as a modern form of wushu , in which an attempt has been made to combine the essence of various traditional styles. As an unarmed self-defense art, san shou is complete, as it knows throws, lock techniques, choking techniques, kicks, strikes, punches, etc.
Rules of Sanda
Sanda is a full contact competition sport. Sanda is practiced in tournaments . Certain techniques that are part of the art of self-defense, such as elbow strikes, chokes and arm locks, are not allowed, with the exception of X-treme sanda. Furthermore, it is possible to win by making the opponent fall out of the ring, which would of course be an unimportant criterion in self-defense. Originally, the ring or mat should be a platform of eight by eight meters and sixty cm high. This represents a mountain or the roof of a building. Allowed techniques are punches, kicks and throws. It is also possible to win by KO or on points.
Sanda is practiced with head and chest protection , shin guards , mouth guards and boxing gloves . There is also 'X-treme' sanda, this is without chest, head and shin guards. Here knee and elbow techniques are often allowed.
