Sanda

Histoire

Sanda (also called sanshou) is the full-contact fighting side of modern Chinese wushu. It was developed in China from the 1960s and 1970s, drawing on traditional kung fu and military training, and became a competitive sport with rules, gloves and rounds.

Sanda fighters use punches, kicks and throws, and can also win by pushing the opponent off the raised platform (lei tai). It is part of the World Wushu Championships run by the IWUF.

Le saviez-vous ?

• Sanda is often called "Chinese kickboxing", but throws make it closer to a mix of kickboxing and wrestling.
• A clean throw that leaves the thrower standing scores high.
• Cung Le, an American sanshou champion, later became a successful MMA fighter.

Glossaire des techniques

Punches

straight, hook and swing punches

Kicks

side kicks and roundhouses to body and head

Shuai

throws and catches of kicks

Lei tai

raised platform; pushing the opponent off scores

Figures clés

• Cung Le (1972–) — American sanshou champion and MMA fighter

Sources: International Wushu Federation (IWUF) · Encyclopaedia Britannica