Sanda in the Olympic family? [PHOTOS]

Sihing K. Ściubak is one of the winners of our competition-plebiscite of the Readers of Życie Podkarpackie for the 10 Best-Most Popular Athletes for 2024. He is a licensed instructor of Chan Family Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu. He has many successes under his belt, both in the European and international arena.

In kung fu, there are three forms of fighting: sanda, sanshou and kuoshu. Everyone has the opportunity to use selected techniques from the forms. Sanda is a modern formula of full-contact sports fighting derived from the oldest fighting systems, originating from China. In Chinese, "sanda" means "free fighting". It is one of the competitions of the sports discipline wushu. Another well-known term for this fighting formula is the previously used name "sanshou", literally "free hand". Sanda fights are also played in kuoshu (National Art) organizations.

A bit of history

In ancient China, traditional kung fu styles competed against each other by fighting on a so-called leitai, a platform of varying heights around which spears or other sharp weapons were often thrust, so being thrown off it often ended in death. The rules of combat allowed for all possible techniques. Masters who wanted to establish their school in a new location built leitai and challenged local masters to duels to gain recognition and often to take students from other schools. There are many stories of famous duels on leitai. In the late 19th century, the famous master Wong Yan Lam built a leitai opposite the Tung Hai Monastery in Guangdong Province. For 18 days, he fought over 150 fighters from other martial arts schools and was not defeated. Every one of them was maimed or killed. Shortly after, he was elected leader of the Ten Tigers of Canton, the ten best kung fu masters in Guangdong Province. In 1928, the Nationalist government of China banned the tradition of private leitai duels because too many competitors were being killed.

- Chinese martial arts became an organized sport. In order to screen the best practitioners for coaching positions, the newly founded Central Kuoshu Institute held its first national tournament in October 1928. Many traditional masters refused to compete because they believed that their skills could only be proven in serious matches, not in sports tournaments. However, the event attracted hundreds of the best practitioners of Chinese martial arts

– explained K. Ściubak.

After the first few days, the fights were stopped because two champions died and many others were seriously injured. There were 12 fighters left who were unable to continue due to injuries. The winner was chosen by a panel of judges. Many of them became national coaches. When the communists took power in China in 1949, the Chinese Nationalist government moved to Taiwan, where a full-contact tournament was held in 1955, calling it "Lei Tai". The original rules were maintained: there were no protectors and no weight classes. In 1975, Taiwan held the First World Kuoshu Championships, which introduced weight classes but still no protectors. It was not until 1988 that face masks (due to too many broken noses) and open gloves - fist gloves - were introduced.

Sanda in the Olympic family?

The modern sport of sanda, which aspires to be an Olympic sport, in keeping with Chinese tradition, also takes place on a platform. It allows full-contact, standing fighting using punches and kicks, and a wide range of high-scoring throws, takedowns, sweeps and thrusts. The techniques used in sanda are derived directly from traditional kung fu systems. In amateur fights, the use of elbows and knees is prohibited, while professional fights (most often held in the ring) allow knee techniques.

- Due to the wide range of techniques, especially throws, sweeps and takedowns, the fights are very spectacular, and the competitors must demonstrate versatility and very good technical and physical preparation. The competitors fight in boxing gloves, helmets, a mouthguard, a groin guard and a body guard. Any techniques can be used in the fight, but it is forbidden to attack the back of the head, neck or groin. It is also forbidden to force the opponent to fall head down, deliberately crush and press a lying opponent to the ground and attack the opponent's head when he is lying down.

– explained K. Ściubak.

At the moment junior sanda competitions are held in two age categories 15-16 years and 17-18 years and senior 19-35 years in 11 weight categories. Qingda (light contact) fights are also held in Poland and Europe. Children from 7 years of age as well as youth and adults can compete. Leitai fighting tactics is a unique battlefield, different from the typical ring or cage. The lack of a net or rope means that you can't lean on them and that there is no way to lock your opponent in a corner, so the fighting strategy changes.

- Movement is focused on frequent changes of direction and dodging in order to push the opponent off the platform. Two pushes of the opponent in a round wins the round. This point in the sanda rules is a nod to the tradition of fighting on leitai, where falling from the platform could end in death. So the competitors have to deal with an additional psychological factor when they approach the edge of the platform. The clinch is used to force the opponent to react and use their movement to perform a throw or takedown. Although modern leitai is secured with mats and mattresses around the platform, the knockdown or knockout of the opponent at the edge of the leitai is also part of the strategy. It is used in the hope that the opponent will suffer an injury that will prevent them from continuing the fight.

– added K. Ściubak.

Traditional martial arts styles of kung fu take advantage of the competitive sports of modern sanda played on leitai, training mastery, timing, concentration and relaxation all at the same time.

Those interested in trying this art can contact us by calling the following telephone number: 793 733 317. We invite you!

Update: 07/07/2025 18:00