Russian martial arts

There are a number ofmartial artsstyles and schools ofRussianorigin.TraditionalRussian fist fightinghas existed since the 1st millennium AD.It was outlawed in theRussian Empirein 1832.However, it has seen a resurgence after thebreak-up of the Soviet Union.

During theSoviet era,the government wanted to create both military hand-to-hand combat systems and combat sports, resulting in the creation ofsambo.During the 1980s and after thefall of Communismthe interest in the folk martial arts was reawakened. Through ethnographic study, many new styles based on the folk styles appeared.

Russian fist fighting

Main article:Russian fist fighting

Russian fist fighting (Russian- Кулачный бойKulachniy boy"fist fighting, pugilism) is the traditionalbare-knuckle boxingofRussia.The earliest accounts concerning the sport date to the 13th century.

Sambo

Main article:Sambo (martial art)

Sambo (Russian:са́мбо,IPA:[ˈsambə];САМозащитаБезОружия) is a Russianmartial artandcombat sport.The word "SAMBO" is anacronymforSAMozashchitaBezOruzhiya,which literally translates as "self-defense without weapons". Sambo is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the SovietRed Armyto improve their hand-to-hand combat abilities.Intended to be a merger of the most effective techniques of other martial arts, sambo has roots in Japanesejudo,international styles of wrestling, plus traditionalfolk stylesofwrestlingsuch as: Armeniankokh,Georgianchidaoba,Romaniantrântă,Tatarköräş,Uzbekkurash,Mongoliankhapsagayand Azerbaijanigulesh.

The pioneers of sambo wereViktor SpiridonovandVasili Oshchepkov.Oshchepkov died in prison as a result of thepolitical purges of 1937after accusations of being a Japanese spy. Oshchepkov spent much of his life living in Japan and training in judo under its founderKano Jigoro.The two Russians independently developed two different styles which eventually cross-pollinated and became what is known as Sambo. Compared to Oshchepkov's judo-based system, then called "Freestyle Wrestling," Spiridonov's style was softer and less strength dependent. This was in large part due to Spiridonov's injuries sustained duringWorld War I.

Anatoly Kharlampiev,a student of Oshchepkov, is often considered the founder of sport sambo. In 1938, it was recognized as an official sport by the USSR All-Union Sports Committee.

Systema

Main article:Systema

Systema(Система,literally meaningThe System) is aRussian martial art.Training includes, but is not limited to: hand-to-hand combat, grappling, knife fighting, and firearms training. Training involves drills andsparringwithout setkata.

ARB

Main article:ARB (martial art)

ARB(Russian:АрмейскийРукопашныйБой;Armeyskiy Rukopashniy Boy;'Army Hand-to-Hand Combat') is a Russian martial art of training for protection and attack receptions that incorporated many functional elements from an arsenal of individualhand-to-hand combatandmartial artsfrom around the world, and has been used in real fighting activities.