1.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
2.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
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Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art, combat sport system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. Brazilian jiu-jitsu was formed from Kodokan judo ground fighting fundamentals that were taught by a number of individuals including Takeo Yano, Mitsuyo Maeda, BJJ training can be used for sport grappling tournaments and in self-defense situations. Sparring and live drilling play a role in training. Geo Omori opened the first jiu-jitsu / judo school in Brazil in 1909 and he would go on to teach a number of individuals including Luiz França. Later, Mitsuyo Maeda was one of five of the Kodokans top groundwork experts that judos founder Kano Jigoro sent overseas to demonstrate, Gastão Gracie was a business partner of the American Circus in Belém. In 1916, Italian Argentine circus Queirolo Brothers staged shows there, in 1917 Carlos Gracie, the eldest son of Gastão Gracie, watched a demonstration by Maeda at the Da Paz Theatre and decided to learn judo. Maeda accepted Carlos as a student and Carlos learned for a few years, although the Gracie family is typically synonymous with BJJ, another prominent lineage started from Maeda via another Brazilian disciple, Luiz França. This lineage had been represented particularly by Oswaldo Fadda, Fadda and his students were famous for influential use of footlocks and the lineage still survives through Faddas links with todays teams such as Nova União and Grappling Fight Team. Jiu-Jitsu is an older romanization that was the spelling of the art in the West. When Maeda left Japan, judo was still referred to as Kano jiu-jitsu, or. Higashi, the co-author of Kano Jiu-Jitsu wrote in the foreword, to make the matter clear I will state that jiudo is the term selected by Professor Kano as describing his system more accurately than jiu-jitsu does. Professor Kano is one of the educators of Japan. But the Japanese people generally still cling to the popular nomenclature. Outside Japan, however, this distinction was noted even less, thus, when Maeda and Satake arrived in Brazil in 1914, every newspaper announced their art as being jiu-jitsu despite both men being Kodokan judoka. It was not until 1925 that the Japanese government itself officially mandated that the name for the martial art taught in the Japanese public schools should be judo rather than jujutsu. In Brazil, the art is still called jiu-jitsu, the art is sometimes referred to as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, this name was trademarked by Rorion Gracie, but after a legal dispute with his cousin Carley Gracie, his trademark to the name was voided. While each style and its instructors have their own unique aspects, today there are four major branches of BJJ from Brazil, Gracie Humaita, Gracie Barra, Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Alliance Jiu Jitsu. Each branch can trace its roots back to Mitsuyo Maeda via the Gracie family or Oswaldo Fadda, since judo was introduced to Brazil there have been changes in the rules of sport judo – some to enhance it as a spectator sport, and some for improved safety
3.
Judo
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Judo was created as a physical, mental and moral pedagogy in Japan, in 1882, by Jigoro Kano. It is generally categorized as a martial art which later evolved into a combat. Strikes and thrusts by hands and feet as well as defenses are a part of judo. A judo practitioner is called a judoka, the philosophy and subsequent pedagogy developed for judo became the model for other modern Japanese martial arts that developed from koryū. The early history of judo is inseparable from its founder, Japanese polymath and educator Kanō Jigorō, Kano was born into a relatively affluent family. His father, Jirosaku, was the son of the head priest of the Shinto Hiyoshi shrine in Shiga Prefecture. He married Sadako Kano, daughter of the owner of Kiku-Masamune sake brewing company and was adopted by the family and he ultimately became an official in the Shogunal government. Jigoro Kano had an academic upbringing and, from the age of seven, he studied English, shodō, when he was fourteen, Kano began boarding at an English-medium school, Ikuei-Gijuku in Shiba, Tokyo. The culture of bullying endemic at this school was the catalyst that caused Kano to seek out a Jūjutsu dōjō at which to train, early attempts to find a jujutsu teacher who was willing to take him on met with little success. With the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate in the Meiji Restoration of 1868, many of those who had once taught the art had been forced out of teaching or become so disillusioned with it that they had simply given up. Nakai Umenari, an acquaintance of Kanōs father and a soldier, agreed to show him kata. The caretaker of Jirosakus second house, Katagiri Ryuji, also knew jujutsu, Another frequent visitor, Imai Genshiro of Kyūshin-ryū school of jujutsu, also refused. Several years passed before he found a willing teacher. In 1877, as a student at the Tokyo-Kaisei school, Kano learned that many jujutsu teachers had been forced to pursue alternative careers, frequently opening Seikotsu-in. After inquiring at a number of these, Kano was referred to Fukuda Hachinosuke, a teacher of the Tenjin Shinyō-ryū of jujutsu, Fukuda is said to have emphasized technique over formal exercise, sowing the seeds of Kanos emphasis on randori in judo. On Fukudas death in 1880, Kano, who had become his keenest and most able student in both randori and kata, was given the densho of the Fukuda dojo, Kano chose to continue his studies at another Tenjin Shinyō-ryū school, that of Iso Masatomo. Iso placed more emphasis on the practice of kata, and entrusted randori instruction to assistants, Iso died in June 1881 and Kano went on to study at the dojo of Iikubo Tsunetoshi of Kitō-ryū. Like Fukuda, Iikubo placed much emphasis on randori, with Kitō-ryū having a focus on nage-waza
4.
Freestyle wrestling
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Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practiced throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games, American high school and college wrestling is conducted under different rules and is termed scholastic and collegiate wrestling. Freestyle and collegiate wrestling, unlike Greco-Roman, allow the use of the wrestlers or his opponents legs in offense and defense, Freestyle wrestling brings together traditional wrestling, judo, and sambo techniques. According to wrestlings world governing body, United World Wrestling, freestyle wrestling is one of the four forms of amateur competitive wrestling that are practiced internationally today. The other main forms of wrestling are Greco-Roman and grappling, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee recommended dropping wrestling as a sport from the 2020 Olympic Games, but the decision was later reversed by the IOC. Modern freestyle wrestling, according to UWW, is said to have originated in Great Britain, catch-as-catch-can wrestling had a particular following in Great Britain and the variant developed in Lancashire had a particular effect on freestyle wrestling. Catch-as-catch-can wrestling gained popularity in fairs and festivals during the 19th century. In catch-as-catch-can wrestling, both started out standing and then a wrestler sought to hold his opponents shoulder to the ground. If no fall was scored, both wrestlers continued grappling on the ground, and almost all holds and techniques were allowable. Also, there was the Irish collar-and-elbow style, where started out on their feet with both wrestlers grasping each other by the collar with one hand and by the elbow with the other. If neither wrestler then achieved a fall, the contestants would continue both standing and on the ground until a fall was made, the 1896 Olympic Games had only one wrestling bout, a heavyweight Greco-Roman match. Freestyle wrestling first emerged as an Olympic sport in the Saint Louis Olympics of 1904, all 40 wrestlers who participated in the 1904 Olympics were American. The 1904 Olympics sanctioned the rules used for catch-as-catch can. Wrestling by seven classes,47.6 kg,52.2 kg,56.7 kg,61.2 kg,65.3 kg,71.7 kg. These were later adopted by the Amateur Athletic Union for its freestyle matches, Freestyle wrestling gained great popularity in the United States after the Civil War. By the 1880s, tournaments drew hundreds of wrestlers, the rise of cities, increased industrialization, and the closing of the frontier provided the affable environment for amateur wrestling, along with boxing, to increase in esteem and popularity. Amateur wrestling teams soon emerged, such as the team of the New York Athletic Club. Professional wrestling also developed, and by the 1870s, professional championship matches offered allowances of up to $1,000
5.
Mixed martial arts
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Mixed martial arts is a full-contact combat sport that allows both striking and grappling, both standing and on the ground, using techniques from other combat sports and martial arts. The first documented use of the mixed martial arts was in a review of UFC1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993. The term gained popularity when newfullcontact. com, then one of the largest websites covering the sport, the question of who actually coined the term is subject to debate. During the early 20th century, various mixed-style contests took place throughout Japan, in 1980 CV Productions, Inc. created the first regulated MMA league in the United States, named Tough Guy Contest, later renamed Battle of the Superfighters. The company sanctioned ten tournaments in Pennsylvania, however, in 1983 the Pennsylvania State Senate passed a bill prohibiting the sport. In 1993, the Gracie family brought vale tudo, developed in Brazil from the 1920s, later, individual fighters employed multiple martial arts into their style. MMA promoters were pressured to adopt additional rules to increase safety, to comply with sport regulations. Following these changes, the sport has increased popularity with a pay-per-view business that rivals boxing. In Ancient Greece there was a sport called pankration, which featured a combination of grappling and striking skills similar to found in modern MMA. Pankration was formed by a combination of the already established wrestling and boxing traditions and, in Olympic terms, All strikes and holds were allowed with the exception of biting and gouging, which were banned. Fighters, also known as pankratists, fought until a fighter submitted, according to E. Norman Gardiner, No branch of athletics was more popular than the pankration. From its origins in Ancient Greece, pankration was later passed on to the Romans, the mid nineteenth century saw the prominence of the new sport savate in the combat sports circle. At that time, French fighters wanted to test out the sport against the traditional styles of its time. However, the English team still won the four other match-ups during the contest, since then other similar contest also occurred by the late 19th to mid-20th century between French Savateurs and other combat styles. The next publicized encounter occurred in the late 1890s when future heavyweight boxing champion Bob Fitzsimmons took on European Greco-Roman Wrestling champion Ernest Roeber. In September 1901, Frank Paddy Slavin, who had been a contender for Sullivans boxing title, knocked out future world wrestling champion Frank Gotch in Dawson City, Canada. The judo-practitioner Ren-nierand who gained fame after defeating George Dubois, would again in another similar contest against Ukrainian wrestler Ivan Poddubny. Another early example of mixed martial arts was Bartitsu, which Edward William Barton-Wright founded in London in 1899, merikan contests were fought under a variety of rules, including points decision, best of three throws or knockdowns, and victory via knockout or submission
6.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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The Ultimate Fighting Championship is an American mixed martial arts promotion company, a subsidiary of the parent company William Morris Endeavor, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the largest MMA promoter in the world and features most of the fighters in the sport. Based in the United States, the UFC produces events worldwide that showcase ten weight divisions, the UFC has held over 300 events to date. Dana White serves as the president of the UFC, the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event was held on November 12,1993 at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. In 2016, it was sold to William Morris Endeavor for $4 billion, MMA journalists and fans have criticized the UFC for putting on too many shows and thus diluting the quality of their product. Art Davie proposed to John Milius and Rorion Gracie an eight-man single-elimination tournament called War of the Worlds, Milius, a noted film director and screenwriter, as well as a Gracie student, agreed to act as the events creative director. Davie drafted the plan and twenty-eight investors contributed the initial capital to start WOW Promotions with the intent to develop the tournament into a television franchise. In 1993, WOW Promotions sought a partner and approached pay-per-view producers TVKO, SET. SEG contacted video and film art director Jason Cusson to design the trademarked Octagon, Cusson remained the Production Designer through UFC27. SEG devised the name for the show as The Ultimate Fighting Championship, WOW Promotions and SEG produced the first event, later called UFC1, at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado on November 12,1993. Art Davie functioned as the booker and matchmaker. The show proposed to find an answer for sports fans questions such as, as with most martial arts at the time, fighters typically had skills in just one discipline and had little experience against opponents with different skills. The show proved successful with 86,592 television subscribers on pay-per-view. Its disputed whether the intended for the event to become a precursor to a series of future events. That show was supposed to be a one-off, eventual UFC president Dana White said. It did so well on pay-per-view they decided to do another, never in a million years did these guys think they were creating a sport. Art Davie, in his 2014 book Is This Legal, an account of the creation of the first UFC event, disputes the perception that the UFC was seen by WOW Promotions and SEG as a one-off, since SEG offered a five-year joint development deal to WOW. He says, Clearly, both Campbell and Meyrowitz shared my unwavering belief that War of the Worlds would be a series of fighting tournaments—a franchise
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Grappling
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Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial arts that are practiced both as combat sports and for self-defense. Grappling most commonly does not include striking or the use of weapons, however, some fighting styles or martial arts known especially for their grappling techniques teach tactics that include strikes and weapons either alongside grappling or combined with it. Grappling techniques can be subdivided into Clinch fighting, Takedowns and Throws, Submission holds and Pinning or Controlling Techniques, and Sweeps, Reversals, Turnovers. Clinching, or clinch work, takes place with both competitors on their feet using various clinch holds applied to the body of the opponent. Clinch work is used to set up or defend against throws or takedowns. Takedowns A takedown is used by one grappler to manipulate his opponent from a position where both are standing, to a position on the ground. The grappler completing the takedown aims to end on top of the opponent in a position of relative control, Throws, A throw is a technique in which one grappler lifts or off-balances his opponent and maneuvers him forcefully through the air or to the ground. Sprawling, A sprawl is a defensive technique done usually when the opponent attempts a takedown and it is performed by shifting the legs backwards and spread out in one fast motion. If done correctly one will land on their opponents back and gain control, in sport grappling, a competitor is expected to submit, either verbally or by tapping the opponent, to admit defeat when he is caught in a submission hold that he cannot escape. Competitors who refuse to tap out risk unconsciousness or serious injury, securing or Controlling Techniques, A pin involves holding an opponent on his back in a position where he is unable to attack. In some styles of competitive grappling a pin is an instant victory, other controlling techniques are used to hold an opponent face down on the ground or on all fours in order to prevent an escape or attack. Either of these types of technique may also be used as a prelude to a submission hold. Turnovers, used to maneuver an opponent who is on all fours or flat on their stomach to their back, in order to score points, prepare for a pin or in order to gain a more dominant position. Reversals or Sweeps, These occur when a grappler who was underneath his opponent on the ground is able to maneuver so that he gains a top position over his opponent, the degree to which grappling is utilized in different fighting systems varies. Some systems, such as wrestling, Pehlwani, Pehlwani submission wrestling, judo, sumo. Examples of these include boxing, kickboxing, taekwondo, karate, while prolonged grappling in muay Thai will result in a separation of the competitors, the art extensively uses the clinch hold known as a double collar tie. Grappling techniques and defenses to grappling techniques are considered important in self-defense applications. The most common grappling techniques taught for self-defense are escapes from holds, Grappling can be trained for self-defense, sport, and mixed martial arts competition
8.
Martial arts
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Although the term martial art has become associated with the fighting arts of eastern Asia, it originally referred to the combat systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. The term is derived from Latin, and means arts of Mars, Martial arts may be categorized along a variety of criteria, including, Traditional or historical arts vs. contemporary styles of folk wrestling and modern hybrid martial arts. Such traditions include eskrima, silat, kalaripayat, kobudo, and historical European martial arts, Many Chinese martial arts also feature weapons as part of their curriculum. Similarly, modern Western martial arts and sports include fencing, stick-fighting systems like canne de combat or singlestick. Combat-oriented Health-oriented Many martial arts, especially those from Asia, also teach side disciplines which pertain to medicinal practices and this is particularly prevalent in traditional Asian martial arts which may teach bone-setting, herbalism, and other aspects of traditional medicine. Spirituality-oriented Martial arts can also be linked with religion and spirituality, numerous systems are reputed to have been founded, disseminated, or practiced by monks or nuns. Throughout Asia, meditation may be incorporated as part of training, in those countries influenced by Hindu-Buddhist philosophy, the art itself may be used as an aid to attaining enlightenment. Japanese styles, when concerning non-physical qualities of the combat, are strongly influenced by Mahayana Buddhist philosophy. Concepts like empty mind and beginners mind are recurrent, aikido, for instance, can have a strong philosophical belief of the flow of energy and peace fostering, as idealised by its founder Morihei Ueshiba. Traditional Korean martial arts place emphasis on the development of the spiritual and philosophical development. A common theme in most Korean styles, such as taekkyeon and taekwondo, is the value of peace in a practitioner. The Koreans believe that the use of force is only justified through defense. Many such martial arts incorporate music, especially strong percussive rhythms, the oldest works of art depicting scenes of battle are cave paintings from Spain dated between 10,000 and 6,000 BCE that show organized groups fighting with bows and arrows. Chinese martial arts originated during the Xia Dynasty more than 4000 years ago and it is said the Yellow Emperor Huangdi introduced the earliest fighting systems to China. The Yellow Emperor is described as a general who, before becoming Chinas leader, wrote lengthy treatises on medicine, astrology. One of his opponents was Chi You who was credited as the creator of jiao di. The foundation of modern Asian martial arts is likely a blend of early Chinese, during the Warring States period of Chinese history extensive development in martial philosophy and strategy emerged, as described by Sun Tzu in The Art of War. Legendary accounts link the origin of Shaolinquan to the spread of Buddhism from India during the early 5th century AD, with the figure of Bodhidharma, to China
9.
Aikido
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Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as the way of unifying life energy or as the way of harmonious spirit, Ueshibas goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury. Aikido techniques consist of entering and turning movements that redirect the momentum of an attack. Aikido derives mainly from the art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s. Ueshibas early students documents bear the term aiki-jūjutsu, Ueshibas senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending partly on when they studied with him. Today aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with ranges of interpretation. However, they all share techniques formulated by Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker and this has led to many possible interpretations of the word. 合 is mainly used in compounds to mean combine, unite, join together, meet, examples being 合同, 合成, 結合, 連合, 統合, and 合意. The term dō is also found in martial arts such as judo and kendo, one applies aiki by understanding the rhythm and intent of the attacker to find the optimal position and timing to apply a counter-technique. Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba, referred to by some aikido practitioners as Ōsensei, the term aikido was coined in the twentieth century. Ueshiba envisioned aikido not only as the synthesis of his martial training, during Ueshibas lifetime and continuing today, aikido has evolved from the Aiki that Ueshiba studied into a variety of expressions by martial artists throughout the world. Ueshiba developed aikido primarily during the late 1920s through the 1930s through the synthesis of the martial arts that he had studied. The core martial art from which aikido derives is Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu, which Ueshiba studied directly with Takeda Sōkaku, the art of Daitō-ryū is the primary technical influence on aikido. Along with empty-handed throwing and joint-locking techniques, Ueshiba incorporated training movements with weapons, such as those for the spear, short staff, however, aikido derives much of its technical structure from the art of swordsmanship. Ueshiba moved to Hokkaidō in 1912, and began studying under Takeda Sokaku in 1915 and his official association with Daitō-ryū continued until 1937. However, during the part of that period, Ueshiba had already begun to distance himself from Takeda. At that time Ueshiba was referring to his art as Aiki Budō. After Ueshiba left Hokkaidō in 1919, he met and was influenced by Onisaburo Deguchi
10.
Folk wrestling
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A folk wrestling style is any traditional style of wrestling, which may or may not be codified as a modern sport. Most cultures have developed regional forms of grappling, Lancashire wrestling is a historic wrestling style from Lancashire in England known for its Catch-as-catch-can, or no wrestling holds barred, style. Catch wrestling, or Catch-as-catch-can, originated from Lancashire wrestling but was developed during the traveling circus phenomenon of the 19th. Styles of Backhold are distinct from Lancashire Wrestling because they enforce rules designed to minimize injury to the participants by disallowing ground fighting, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, or Cumbrian Wrestling, is practiced in the northern counties of England. It is a form of Backhold Wrestling where the wrestlers put the left arm over the right arm. Throws and trips are important since the first wrestler to touch the ground or break hold loses, competitors often wear stockings, singlet and trunks. Scottish Backhold is a form of Backhold practiced in Scotland, almost identical in style to Cumberland & Westmorland style apart from variations in rules. Cornish wrestling, from Cornwall, is a form of jacket wrestling and it is related to Breton Gouren wrestling. Devon wrestling, or Devonshire wrestling, was a similar to the Cornish style in that jackets were worn. Devonshire wrestlers, however, also wore heavy clogs and were able to kick the opponents, in matches between Cornish and Devon, Devonshire wrestlers might have worn one only shoe. Unlike Cornish wrestling, the style is considered to be extinct. Collar-and-elbow wrestling is native to Ireland and can be traced back to the 17th century and it has ties to the Tailteann Games between 632 BC and 1169 AD. Glíma, the sport of Iceland, traces its history to the Vikings. It is practised both outdoors and indoors, kragkast, type of folk wrestling originating from Sweden, similar to Freestyle wrestling Western Europe Gouren - traditional Breton jacket wrestling. Ranggeln - meaning to wrangle in German, Ranggeln is a prominent form of wrestling in Austria, the winner is the man who pins his opponents to the ground Schwingen - Swiss style of wrestling considered to be one of the oldest forms of wrestling. Narodno rvanje, is a style from Serbia, In Narodno Rvanje there are three disciplines, depending on the hold, they can be chest hold, belt hold or back hold. Pelivan is a wrestling style practiced in Albania and Serbia Northern Europe Pakištynės more practised in North, ristynės more practised in East and South Lithuania. Bökh - traditional Khalkha Mongolian jacket wrestling where touching the ground with anything other than a foot loses the match, bökh means wrestling or wrestler in Mongolian
11.
Shuai jiao
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Shuai jiao is the term pertaining to the jacket wrestling style of Beijing, Tianjin and Baoding of Hebei Province in the North China Plain which was codified by Shan Pu Ying of the Nei Wu Fu. In modern usage it is also the general Mandarin Chinese term for any form of wrestling, as a generic name, it may be used to cover various styles of wrestling practised in China in the form of a martial arts system or a sport. The art was introduced to Southern China in the Republican era after 1911, the earliest Chinese term for wrestling, jǐao dǐ, refers to an ancient sport in which contestants wore horned headgear with which they attempted to butt their opponents. Legend states that jiao di was used in 2697 BC by the Yellow Emperors army to gore the soldiers of an army led by Chiyou. In later times, young people would play a game, emulating the contests of domestic cattle. Jiao di has been described as a source of wrestling. Jiao li was first referenced in the Classic of Rites during the Zhou Dynasty, Jiao li supplemented throwing techniques with strikes, blocks, joint locks and attacks on pressure points. These exercises were practiced in the winter by soldiers who also practiced archery, Jiao li eventually became a public sport held for court amusement as well as for recruiting the best fighters. Competitors wrestled each other on a platform called a lei tai for the potential reward of being hired as a bodyguard to the emperor or a martial arts instructor for the Imperial Military. Jiao li was taught to soldiers in China over many centuries, the term shuai jiao was chosen by the Central Guoshu Academy of Nanjing in 1928 when competition rules were standardized. The art continues to be taught in the police and military academies of China, in modern Chinese Shuai Jiao is always written using the more recent characters 跤, and should be translated as to throw onto the ground through wrestling with legs. The use of the character 角 is because in the earliest form of Shuaijiao, players wore helmet with horns and this form of Shuaijiao is called Ciyou Xi. Shuaijiao can be divided into the styles, Zhili or Hebei Style. This style traces the lineage to the Yellow Emperor who fought two battles against Chi You and Yan Emperor in modern-day Zhang Jia Kou Region in Northern Hebei. The modern training methods and rules are codified by Shan Pu Ying of the Nei Wu Fu and it comprises Beijing, Tianjin and Baoding styles. Beijing Style - This is in essence the lineage from the Manchu Buku style that was practised by the Imperial Guards Brigade, the main characteristic is the use of the legs to kick and off-balance opponents, and the use of arm locks. Tianjin Style - This is the lineage of Ming Dynasty Shuaijiao mixed with Manchu Buku, the main characteristic is the use of legs to kick and off-balance, and the use of forearms in blocking and striking. Baoding Style - This is the lineage that is called Kuai Jiao or Fast Wrestling, the main characteristic is the fast application of technique
12.
Ssireum
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Ssireum or Korean wrestling is a folk wrestling style and traditional national sport of Korea. In the modern form each contestant wears a belt that wraps around the waist, gak, a commonly used prefix, seems to have originated from the combative act performed by horned animals such as oxen when competing against one another for the superiority of physical strength. Ssireum first gained popularity during the Joseon Dynasty. Evidence of this is shown through the pictures of Kim Hongdo. In traditional life, Ssireum was an activity on the Korean holiday of Dano, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Ssireum competitions were held on other days such as the Third Day of the Third Moon. The traditional prize for winning a tournament was an ox, a commodity in agriculturally-oriented society. The modern sport has developed in the 20th century, the first modern competition was held in 1912 at the Dansongsa theater in Seoul. Korean wrestling has been referred to as ssireum since the 1920s, the Pan Chosun Ssireum Federation was founded in 1927. Since 1947 the competition organised by the Ssireum Federation has been called the National Ssireum Championship Contest, weight classes were introduced at the 12th National Ssireum Championship Contest, and revised in 1967. The difference depended on the way the satba was fastened, Ssireum is conducted within a circular ring, measuring approximately 7 meters in diameter, which is covered with mounded sand. The two contestants begin the match by kneeling on the sand in a position, each grabbing a belt—known as a satba —which is wrapped around his opponents waist. The wrestlers then rise while retaining their hold on the others satba, the match is awarded to the wrestler who forces the other contestant to touch the ground with any part of his body at knee level or higher. Unlike sumo, pushing your opponent outside of the ring does not warrant a win, normally, professional ssireum is contested in a best-out-of-three style match. There are 3 judges, a referee and three sub referees. The chief judge is positioned inside the ring, whereas the sub referees are located on the outside of the ring, one to the right and others to the left. If an unfair judgment is called or the referee is unable to render a decision. In addition, they can recommend the cessation of the match when an injury occurs, the referees’ decisions throughout the competition are absolute and held in the highest regard, meaning that athletes cannot challenge any judgments declared during the match
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United States