What Is Sanshou?

Sanshou is a Chinese word meaning "free hand" and is a type of martial art. It combines full-contact kickboxing, punching, knee strikes and wrestling. Its roots lie in traditional Kung Fu which some claim is thousands of years old. It re-emerged in modern times through the Chinese military's need to have an effective hand-to-hand combat system. Today, it is practiced around the world and tournaments attract wide participation.

Rigorous Training

Sanshou training is rigorous and requires hard conditioning. Students learn kicking, elbows, knees, sweeps, takedowns and throws. Class sessions generally involve sparring with protective gear as opposed to more traditional Kung Fu classes which spend a great deal of time on stances and movements called "kata." Like a professional boxer, the student trains extensively to improve endurance and stamina.

Beginnings of Sanshou

Some historians see a link between modern Sanshou and tournaments traditionally held throughout China for thousands of years by Kung Fu and martial arts masters called "Sanda" or "free fighting" to decide who the greatest fighter was. Traditionally, matches were between 2 contestants fighting on a platform called a "lei toi." Typically, fights ended at the death of the loser. Today, Sanshou fights are generally fought within boxing rings or mats.

Re-Emergence

In 1949, when Communism took over Chinese cultural functions, the only martial art allowed was Wushu, a more acrobatic or non-combative type of Kung Fu. Some credit the emergence of more combative martial arts to Chinese military who realized it needed an effective hand-to-hand combat system and utilized various martial arts masters to create a combat system.

Growth from the Army to Civilian Life

In time, soldiers wanted to test martial skills and developed a competitive event. Rules, such as the use of gloves and limited extreme strikes to the eyes, spine and back of the head, were developed. The Chinese Wushu Federation is also credited with helping create Sanshou competitions since it refined the more brutal techniques from the military and created a civilian amateur competition.

More User-Friendly

Today, Sanshou is practiced in tournaments normally with Wushu competitions. Clinching or when the fighters hold each other is allowed only for a few seconds so the action of the fight is constant. Sanshou became more popular in the United States in the 1990s. Sanshou is still taught in the Chinese Army, Shaolin temples throughout China and in martial art schools throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Governing Bodies

The International Wushu Kung Fu Federation is considered the sanctioning body for amateur competitions, including Sanshou. The U.S. Kuo Shu Federation, as well as several independent martial arts tournaments, hosts events that take place throughout the year. For professional competitions, there are several official sanctioning organizations, including the International Sport Kickboxing Association, U.S. Sanda Federation and the International Kickboxing Federation.