A Kind of Sport: Sanshou

By Passion - 20.09.2010

Sanshou is a sport that has been practiced in the ancient China. It has progressively moved to other Asian countries of Japan, Sri lanka and Iran. It is still a “baby” sport in Europe.

In an interview with New Times asylum seeker, Abbas from Iran, who recently got ‘a positive’, stressed its importance and usefulness, and the possibility of Sanshou sport being introduced into Denmark.

In New Times’ extensive interview with Abbas, who is also an Iranian coach and top ranking professional fighter, he maintained that Sanshou could be practiced in amateur competitions and as ‘praktik’ in Copenhagen to start with.

What is Sanshou?

“Sanshou is a combination of wrestling, kickboxing using martial arts technique as its moral guide. The sport excludes the use of elbows and knees in combat, while other parts of the body are permitted. It demands a lot of physical strength, mental agility and swiftness in bodily movement. Good sight is also a prerequisite as the fighters need to exchange blows and kicks in the attack and defence art.”

Who does Sanshou?

“This is a kind of sport for both men and women alike. Several competitions are being held yearly for both men and women especially in Asian countries like Iran, Afghanistan and China. As the core principle of the sport is physical strength, timing and alertness, and bodily swiftness, both sexes are required not to be obese since good nutrition plays an integral role in perfecting Sanshou sport. Body anabolic/building substances used amongst wrestlers are strictly prohibited too.”

Where is it done?

“Sanshou is performed in an open space similar to a karate arena with spectators.The floor is cushioned with 50cm foam-like rug for protection.”

Abbas then told New Times about the number one problem the sport is facing in this country:

“The thing is, there is no known Sanshou fight club in Copenhagen as of now. This can cause a major delay in the growth of the sport. However, I’m optimistic. An amateur Sanshou fight club in Copenhagen would serve as a springboard to catapulting this exhilarating unpopular sport to greater heights in European countries,” he said.

Abbas has been a professional fighter for over five years, participated in numerous events in Iran before becoming a coach and promoter of Sanshou.

“It is obvious that Sanshou sport would be seen by spectators and fanatics, apart from providing entertainment, as a sport that maintains fitness, ensures good heart beat which cleanses the respiratory and circulatory systems, and above all encourages devotion and meditation,” Abbas concluded.

Abbas hopes to start a small club in Avnstrup Centre very soon.

(Additional information from www.payvand.com/news)