Pankration - what is it? Federation of Pankration of Russia

Pankration - what is it? Ancient single combat, to some extent an analog of modern fights without rules. The essential difference is that today there are a number of rules that restrict the fighters, and in the original pankration they were only two: you can not bite the opponent and squeeze his eyes. Also earlier there were no weight categories, and athletes of the most different formations could fight among themselves.

A bit of history

In ancient sources it is mentioned that pancration in 646 BC. E. Included in the program of the ancient Olympic Games. Initially, in Ancient Greece, there were only fisticuffs and wrestling. They often violated the rules, and the audience wanted entertainment, so it was decided to combine these two species into one. So there was pankration - a brutal martial art without rules.

Antique viewers had a spectacle to taste. What was the ancient pankration? The rules allowed him at the same time to fight in the rack and to cling to the struggle on the ground. The battle lasted until one of the opponents could continue the match. Sometimes the athlete surrendered himself, in some cases reached the dislocations and fractures. However, there were practically no deaths. Curious fact: many ancient famous scientists such as Pythagoras, Aristotle, etc., were masters of this struggle.

Ancient pankration - what is it? Simply, it is single combat with a minimum of restrictions. The most violent struggles were in ancient Sparta. Moreover, there were also contests between women. The champions of pankration were considered real heroes, they were awarded the most beautiful girls with laurel wreaths . These competitions attracted a lot of viewers with their cruelty and rudeness. But any popularity comes to an end, so it happened with the pankration. The decline of interest in these competitions occurred during the conquest of Greece by the Romans. At this time, the flowering of gladiatorial fights began.

Modern pankration - what is it?

Of course, in our days the original rules are not preserved. Today, the risk of injury is minimized. For example, we use protective gear worn by athletes entering the ring. However, the essence of pankration did not change. It is allowed to use all the techniques of Thai boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, karate, sambo and other martial arts.

Revival of pankration

Its revival began in the middle of the 20th century. In the States in the sixties there was the first system of pankration. The founder of it is Jim Arvantis. This system is called "Mu tao pankration". Its rules are similar to the later single combat "K-1". And the very idea of pankration later became the basis for all modern "octagons" and other "fights without rules."

By the 1980s, pankration had become a popular martial art. In 1988, the first international tournament was held in Vilnius. It was attended by more than 20 teams from Europe and Asia. Since 1991, annual championships of Europe and Russia are held both among adults and juniors. Pankration enjoys great popularity in the CIS countries, Europe, the United States and Asia. Throughout the world, there are more than 200 national federations of this type of struggle.

Modern rules

If the antique pankration was a fight without a break, now it is divided into rounds. There are two types:

• Amateur - battles are held using special protection. These are the knee pads, protector on the legs, helmets, etc. The battle is divided into 2 rounds for 2.5 minutes with a one-minute break.
• Professional - this is commercial martial arts. They are more spectacular and aimed at attracting bloodthirsty viewers. There is no protection and some techniques are allowed that can not be used in amateur. For example, you can grab the neck with both hands and choke. Here, the fight lasts 2 rounds of 5 minutes with a two-minute break. If the winner is not identified, an additional 3 minutes are added.

The battle process

All strikes applied are evaluated by a special system of points, as in boxing. Their sum determines at the end of the winner's match. It is forbidden to strike in the inguinal region, throat, back of the neck and spine. Also, you can not beat a recumbent, grab the opponent by the throat with your fingers. For each remark of the referee, 2 points are removed from the athlete. If a fighter is warned three times in a row - disqualification.

Pankration in Russia

The Federation of Pankration of Russia is engaged in the popularization and development of this contact sport in the territory of the Russian Federation. In addition to it, the Pankration Center operates in our country, which is a public sports association. Its organizer is SA Mikhailovich - a judge of the international category. This center together with the federation regularly conducts various competitions in pankration both at home and internationally.

Many Russian champions of pankration have been brought up in Russian clubs. A list of some of them:

• Jamal Kurbanov is a seven-time champion of Russia. Winner of international tournaments.
• Haji Zaipullaev - champion of Russia, Asia, winner of international tournaments.
• Evgeny Zlivko is the winner of Russian and foreign tournaments in mixed battles.
• Gennady Kovalev - winner of the Cup of Russia, winner of international tournaments.

Olympics and pankration

As you know, with the revival of the modern Olympic Games (1896), the pankration remained on the sidelines. For over a hundred years, all the activists' efforts have been in vain. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to consider applications.

Certain efforts were made before the games in Athens (2004). Greece tried to give the pankration an Olympic status. Special commissions were organized, which recommended that the Committee adopt this sport. However, the IOC flatly refused. At the moment, there is active lobbying of this issue, but no significant results have been observed so far.

Now the reader knows the answer to the question: "Pankration - what is this?" Exciting and spectacular competition in mixed martial arts. You can watch it on the sports channels of television, which regularly broadcast fights. It is also possible to attend competitions, which are often held in large cities of Russia, CIS and Europe.