Sayokan

Sayokan is a Turkish martial art, created by Nihat Yigit.

The Founder

Nihat Yigit started training in Taekwondo in 1973 Fact|date=October 2007he later moved on to Shaolin Kung Fu between 1974 - 1981.Fact|date=October 2007 Later studying Kyokushin Kaikan Karate (1981 - 1986)Fact|date=October 2007 and Ashihara karate (1986 - 1999).Fact|date=October 2007

Between 1990-1994, Yabgu Nihat Yigit went to Japan, China and Korea to investigate mainstream martial arts styles.Fact|date=April 2008 His research lead to the creation of his new martial art system in 1990. In March 18, 1999 Sayokan emerged.

The System

There are two education systems in Sayokan. First is "Bravery Program A". It is for Alplik (Bravery) Games (competition). Sayokan's games are no point, no pads, no gloves knock down system.

Second is Alplik (Bravery) "Program B". This program has 10 basic strategies.It is a system of self-defense, importance is not to the individual technique but how to apply it to sparring, to make it a "natural" action or response when fighting.

There are two education programs in Sayokan:

1 - Bravery Program B

This is a short training course (108 hours) teach strategic self-defense. The program is designed aiming for students to face real situationsFact|date=October 2007 and succeed in defending themselves both physically and mentally. If the person doesn't have a high technical ability, this doesn't prevent application of Sayokan strategy. One to one, one to many sparring, with weapons or without, are used.Fact|date=October 2007 There are TORALP (beginner), TUYUN (senior), second TUYUN programs and students who finish Tuyun programs are awarded 1.San black belt status.

The program is designed for adults, 25 years old and above and doesn't prepare a student for Bravery Games (championship, tournament etc.). There are forms, Tola, like kata or pumse, which must be practised with opponents.

There are two belts in the program, white and black belt. Black belt can be obtained up to 2nd San status. Only in the Bravery Program A, can higher black belt ranks be obtained.

5 Basic Elements:

1 – 4 Area – 4 lines / Crescents2 – 10 strategies3 – Answer Techniques4 – Shape / Form5 - Improvisation Capability

2 - Bravery Program A

In this category it is a full contact systems with no protection worn in combat. Emphasis is placed on a natural ability to respond to attacks i.e. response without too much thought about specific forms.

Games of Sayokan have no point system. All fights are performed on grass (for example stadium) and last 5 minutes. If a fight ends in a draw, a second 5 minutes are started after a 3 minute break. First effective technique is golden point and the golden point taking fighter wins the game.

6 Basic Elemets :

1 – 4 Area – 4 lines / Crescents2 – Distance Control3 – Active Relax in fight4 – Answer Techniques5 – Shape / Form6 – Improvisation Capability

External links

* [http://www.sayokan.co.uk/ English site for the Martial Art]
* [http://www.sayokan.net/ sayokan.net]