Sanshou is a hybrid discipline more or less translating into “unsanctioned fight” and it is a Chinese self-defense system and combat sport. It was developed by Chinese military and based on traditional Kung fu and modern fighting techniques.
The zeitgeist is dictating more and more that it be called Sanda, which a term more familiar in China and has a meaning closer to free combat. It consists of some full contact skills like kickboxing, wushu but also elements of wrestling, takedowns, throws, sweeps, kick catches and in some competitions elbow and knee strikes.
The video below shows what happened when a walk-in challenged the Romanian Gheorghe Lupu “Gigi Sanda”, a former wushu world champion from 1997. The two exchange taunts.
The challenger showed signs that he did not want to stand up, so Gigi Sanda teased him: “¿Eres Bueno, o no?” (Are you good or not?), “¿Pára que me retas?” (why you challenged me?), “¡yo pensaba que eras bueno!” (I thought you are good!). After that, the challenger asked him to only use soft punches. He stepped back in order to not get hit, and the champion complained: “¿Quieres eso o no?” (Do you want it or not?). Finally, the challenger gave up. [Source: Chinese Olympic Committee]
Watch the full video of the altercation:
The challenger’s quick knockout is no surprise. After the initial exchange the challenger asked that Gigi only use soft punches. Shortly after the challenger gave up.
