Sanda and Chinese Kung Fu

The history of San-Da stems from the beginning of Sung Dynasty in China whose first emperor Zhao Kuang Yin (Chiu Kuen Ying) 927～976 AD founded Ti Zu San Soo. With his background as Chou dynasty's senior general, Zhao used sand bags to develop kicking and punching skills for his military worriers. His skills were based upon intense study of various traditional methods he learned from the Shaolin temple. The modern system of Sanda, however, is a relatively new martial art concept.

The modern Sanda is a Chinese hand to hand combat, self-defence system, and increasingly becoming a combat sport. It should not be seen as an independent style. In everyday training some practitioners may not wear traditional kung fu uniforms and particularly in the west, notably in America and Europe some Sanda schools may adopt a more systematic approach to mass teaching incorporating a colour belt ranking system similar to that of Judo, Karate or Tae Kwon Do. In China Sanda practitioners wear Thai Boxer shorts in training and competitive bouts.

Sanda is not just one of the components of Chinese martial art and is taught alongside other well-established Kung fu systems. It is composed of some aspects of traditional martial arts fighting styles in China incorporating punching, kicking, striking and grappling. In previous centuries in China Sanda's history involved barehanded combat in which no rules existed. However, as a competitive event becomes more popular Sanda developed into a combat sport.  The military use Sanda to test the soldiers’ arm-to-arm combat skills, strategies and fitness. Later, rules were developed and the use of protective gloves was adopted to reduce injuries. It was originally used by the Kuomintang (KMT) at the first modern military academy in Whampoa in the 1920s and was also adopted as a method by the People's Liberation Army of China.

China introduced an amateur sport version of Sanda in 1991 and in 1997, and the first attempts were made both in China and in the United States to establish professional matches.  These matches are referred to as San Shao a newer term, which the Chinese use to describe full combat fighting.

Master Chiu began teaching the Chugarkwon Academy’s brand of San-Da in 1992 in London.  The influences on this rich and diverse style are obvious and originate from Master Chiu’s broad background in martial arts.  Most prominent perhaps being his time spent studying the Wing Chun and Hung Gar branches of Shaolin derived Kung Fu and Korean Taekwon Do.  He is the founder, chief instructor and examiner for the Chugarkwon Academy.

The Chugarkwon Academy’s Sanda Kung Fu teaches traditional formwork, physical and mental development, Shaolin Chin Na, practical self-defence and oriental philosophy.  The 1st Degree foundation course consists of ten grades of advancement moving up a ranking system that denotes seniority and experience.  Step by step, each grade teaches new aspects of fundamental principles through repetition and application.

Chugarkown Academy teaches combat technique and strategy in a controlled manner so that students are not hurt from untrained hands.  The syllabus covers basic principles of blocking, punching, kicking, throwing, and takedowns, which are the core practice of San-Da.  However, unlike mainstream San-Da we do not practice full contact sparring.  The foundation course aims to teach discipline, leadership, instil confidence, control and cooperation as well as skills in self-defence.

Further training at Chugarkwon Academy gradually shifts from the extrinsic to the intrinsic systems including Chi Kung for promoting health and vitality.  After several years should any practitioners wish to enter San-Da tournaments they are welcome to do so under their own responsibility and will have a solid foundation with which to do so.

The main objective Chugarkwon Academy is not to produce fighters but to develop individuals, giving the individual an opportunity to express life skills through training in the system.  Persistent training shows willpower and indomitable spirit.  The ability to dissolve a challenge instils courage and self-control.  Our clubs teach students the danger of violence in a controlled manner so that they can learn to evade confrontation and eliminate physical abuse.