How Sanda Harnesses Traditional Kung Fu in a Modern Combat Sport

Using traditional techniques in a modern combat sport?

Introduction

Imagine a bout between two highly trained combatants who are experts at throwing, punching and kicking. Their hands a blur of motion in an exhilarating match where you are struggling to keep up with the action. This is Sanda Kickboxing. A combat sport born from the combination of traditional Chinese martial arts and modern combat practicality.

Origins of Sanda: From the Military to the Ring

Sanda was created in the 20th century by combining the most effective throws and strikes of traditional kung fu and combining it with modern combat techniques, such as boxing. This style of combat was originally developed as an effective fighting system for the Chinese military but was then codified and transformed into a combat sport.

Kung Fu Techniques in a Combat Sport?

What we call ‘Kung Fu’ has made a drastic change over the last 150 years, moving away from any form of combat utility and becoming more about spiritualism and self development. Kung Fu’s origins came from Chinese wrestling ‘Shuai Jiao’, masters of old would then add their own clinch, joint lock and striking techniques. The techniques were then catalogued and memorized using forms and patterns ‘Tao Lu’.

In Sanda throws are some of the highest scoring techniques because the sport originates from a traditional wrestling system! The modern practice of Sanda is the closest discipline to original practice of kung fu, combining strikes and wrestling.

Sanda vs Other Combat Sports

Sanda Kickboxing is a unique in the world of combat sports as it is the only complete stand up combat sport that doesn’t have any ground game. While MMA has wrestling and striking it is more concerned with taking an opponent down and controlling them on the floor and Muay Thai while a more complete striking system with elbows and knees that are missing from Sanda, Muay Thai does not have the extensive throws and takedowns of Sanda Kickboxing.

Because of its diverse range of techniques Sanda fighter can easily change to competing in MMA or other kickboxing styles such as Muay Thai.

The Future of Sanda

Sanda is gradually growing in popularity on the global stage. Because of the way it combines wrestling and striking people are starting to realize that it is a great base for other combat sports such as MMA and other kickboxing styles. It is also growing in its own right with more and more countries competing on the international stage. Sanda may have originated from ancient roots but it is taking the future in stride a changing with the times.

Learn this Unique Style of Martial Art

If you are based London and want to learn how to effectively combine wrestling and strikes then come to our club and learn from the best kickboxing school in London.