Sanda (also known as Sanshou) is a Chinese combat sport that takes its influence as much from western boxing & Muay Thai as it does Chinese Kung Fu incorporating both striking and stand-up grappling, Sanda is a dynamic full contact martial art and highly effective self defence system. The striking elements of Sanda can be considered similar to modern Muay Thai, incorporating boxing, kicking, kick-catches as well as catch wrestling (Shuai) style throws & joint locking. What makes Sanda unique is during a Sanda match, opponents can execute single and double leg takedowns, hip throws, reaps and trips. The three second grappling time encourages quick takedowns and a strong grappling defence.
Sanda fighting includes the four main fighting categories of:
Ti (Kicking)
Da (Striking)
Shuai (Wrestling)
Na (Joint locking or Submissions)
FightLab Sanda fighters have turned there hand to also competing in:
Shootboxing
A Japanese combat sport similar to Sanda that combines Kickboxing with Japanese shoot (catch) wrestling.
Combat Sambo
A Russian combat sport wearing a jacket (Kurtka). Sambo combines striking & grappling, standing & on the ground.
Knockdown
Striking based combat sport wearing head & face protection, allowing striking clinch & takedowns.
Wrestling
FightLab competes in various wrestling formats with a fucus of standup, such as Sport Sambo Wrestling (No Jacket).
FightLab Sanda students competing in amateur MMA
CHINESE BOXING DEVELOPS THE BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT…
Sanda is suitable for all ages, whether you want to get fit, learn self defence or fight competitively. Beginning students will learn to use their hands and their feet for striking, kicking, defensive and offensive manoeuvres, and closing the gap in a fight. They will be trained in all the basic strikes and kicks and learn to use them with the use of kick shields, focus mitts, and heavy bags. Beginning students will also have the opportunity to practice defensive and offensive drills with a partner with a minimal amount of contact. Intermediate and advanced students will continue where the beginning students leave off by delving deeper into the striking and kicking combos and exploring the vast amount of takedown techniques contained in Sanda. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in live sparring on mats and use all the techniques at their disposal.