Different Types of Martial Arts
Pankration, the ancient full-contact fighting art, which became an Olympic sport in 648 BCE, is one of the world’s oldest martial arts. Mythology maintains that it was invented by Hercules
panktration
and Theseus, although it is more likely to have developed as a training method for Greek soldiers, who noted that, by combining boxing techniques and groundwork as both sport and exercise, they could keep themselves battle-ready and still fight effectively should they lose their weapon during the heat of battle.
Brutal beginnings
In the early days of the sport, contests would run uninterrupted, deaths were not uncommon, and a bout was ended either by surrender, by knocking an opponent unconscious, or by killing him. The most common cause of death during matches was strangulation with a violent chokehold across the windpipe or carotid artery.
Renewed interest
Modern pankration is enjoying increased popularity in the West, with schools emerging in both the United States and Europe. However, the modern systems differ from ancient ones and are hybrid inventions influenced by both freestyle and catch wrestling, karate, jujutsu, boxing, and other ancient techniques taken from various sculptures and paintings. Although the biting of fingers and joints, as well as eye-gouging, were common occurrences in the art’s original form, they are generally prohibited from modern-day competition.
By the time pankration became an Olympic sport in 648 BCE, there is evidence to suggest it was already an ancient sport. Pankrationists would display one of a variety of styles, many of which had been passed down through the generations. Master teachers were called “Thaskalos,” while students were referred to as “Pankriatists.” To help hone breathing techniques and power-striking, exercises known as “pyrrics” were used: these were similar to the “katas” (set forms) of Oriental martial arts.
Svebor
Svebor is an ancient Serbian combat art that places strong emphasis on efficiency and practicality, with techniques including head butts and stone throwing. The origins of the sport are believed to lie in the Balkan martial arts—said to be the chosen warrior arts of the Serbian knights of medieval times— and the art has strong links with the Serbian Orthodox Christian religion. Little value is placed on aesthetics, and the art contains a number of leaps, jumps, falls, rolls, arm strikes, and other techniques all aimed at knocking men from their horses.
Realnog Aikidoa
Realnog aikidoa (known as Real aikido) is a Serbian martial art and, although some modifications have been made, it is based largely on aikido. For the most part, the curriculum follows that of aikido, with a dan system of grading (ranging from 1st through to 10th dan), but the similarity of the organization’s name to aikido has led to much discord among both the martial art and aikido communities, with numerous accusations being leveled at the art form.
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