Russian martial arts

Russian martial arts (RMA) describe various traditional and contemporary martial arts with Russian roots.

History

Historically, Russia's size has made it difficult for official military forces to defend distant areas against relatively small conflicts. It is because of this that local citizen-militia sprung up in various places. Small communities who needed to defend themselves did so with their own martial traditions. Many different ethnic groups developed their own traditional fighting methods.

Because of its long history and proximity to many different cultures, it is believed that many Russian martial arts have absorbed and combined elements from Chinese martial arts, Japanese martial arts, European martial arts, and even parts of Greco-Roman wrestling. The most famous example is the influence of Judo on the early form of Sambo. [The grandson of Sambo's founder testified in court the foundation of Judo which was found in Sambo.Fact|date=March 2007: On the base of judo he developed new system of hand-to-hand combat for army. He called this system "free-style wrestling". [http://glory.nsu.ru/projects/satbi/satbi-e/martart/ruseng.html] ]

One of the oldest Russian martial arts is Fistfight, which's earliest known account is in the 13th century.

Although there is much cultural influence, there are many notable Russian martial arts which are unique, or have elements which are unique. Although there are some trends across some Russian martial arts, many of them have evolved in their own individual ways.

Russian history has had many significant conflicts, such as the Battle of Kulikovo, when the Russians fought against the Tartars and Mongols (the Golden Horde). Contact with different invaders from all directions is thought to have influenced martial traditions.

During the Soviet era the government wanted to create new martial arts. The new styles included Combat Sambo Spetsnaz, otherwise known as Systema, and Sambo. The new styles overshaded the old folk styles, and almost all of the folk styles were forgotten.

During the '80s and after the fall of Communism the interest to the folk martial arts re-awoke. Through ethnographical study, many new styles based on the folk styles appeared. The two most famous new styles of that era are the Russian All-Round Fighting, which is based both on the old folk styles, old Cossack saber fencing and on the Soviet era styles, and Buza, which is based on the old local village fights and dances.

Trivia

* Hsüan-yeh hired Cossack Bodyguards. [ [http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-8130.html Ancient Chinesse Emperors had Russian Bodyguards?? [Archive - MartialTalk.Com ] ] [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20050404165326/http://www.cnewa.org/ecc-china.htm CNEWA - Orthodox Church of China ] ]

In the media

* CTV Travel's [http://www.go-warrior.com Go Warrior] : Russia:: [http://www.go-warrior.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=26] : Roland heads to Moscow to meet Russia’s Orthodox Warriors. Here, they practice a mysterious martial arts form called Systema. Fighting blindfolded, Roland undertakes the ultimate test of his manhood - and enters a world that no outsiders have ever seen.

* "Russian martial arts has a 1000 year old history. We believe that this return to our old roots is a symbol of Russia's revival." -- Yury J. Chaika (The Russian Minister of Justice) -- CTV Travel's [http://www.go-warrior.com Go Warrior] : Russia (2004)

References

External links

* [http://glory.nsu.ru/projects/satbi/satbi-e/martart/ruseng.html Russian martial art history]
* [http://www.completemartialarts.com/information/styles/russian/russianhistory.htm Russian Martial Art, The Art of Survival, A Way of Natural Living] by Scott Sonnon
* [http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=70 MartialTalk forum on Russian Martial Arts] (down as of September 2007)
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUPFTPOJWkU RAF Stick Fighting Technical Demonstration]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE1HwRDERy4 RAF Stick Fight]