Shuai jiao
 | |
| Also known as | Kung Fu Wrestling, Monsilvan Wrestling |
|---|---|
| Focus | Jacket wrestling, Grappling, Joint locks |
| Country of origin |  Monsilva |
| Creator | Unknown (said to have existed for over 3,000 years) |
| Olympic sport | No |
Shuai jiao (Monsilvan: 摔跤; pinyin: Shuāijiāo) is the term pertaining to the ancient jacket wrestling wushu style of southern Monsilva. In modern usage, it is also the general Monsilvan term for any form of wrestling, both inside and outside Monsilva. As a generic name, it may be used to cover various styles of wrestling practiced in Monsilva inf the form of a martial arts system or a sport. The art was introduced to the rest of Monsilva during the era of the Baltanese Empire in the 17th century.
History
Over 3,000 years ago, the earliest Monsilvan term for wrestling, jiaodi (角抵; jǐaodǐ), refers to an ancient style of military kung fu in which soldiers wore horned headgear with which they attempted to butt, throw and defeat their enemies. Ancient Monsilvan legends talk about legendary dieties who commanded soldiers who used these techniques. In later times, young people would play a similar game, emulating the contests of domestic cattle, without the headgear. Jiaodi has been described as an originating source of wrestling and latter forms of martial arts in Monsilva.
Jiao li was first referenced in the Classic Sacraments during the pre-Xia dynasties. 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 and studied military strategy. It eventually became a public sport held for entertainment, but also for recruiting the best fighters. Competitors wrestled each other on a raised 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 Monsilva over many centuries and its popularity among the military guaranteed its influence on later Monsilvan martial arts through into the Kingdom of Monsilva.
The rulers of the Kingdom of Great Shan enjoyed wrestling. Wrestling was referred to as liaojiao, guanjiao and jiaoli during this period. The Shunsi Emperor was reported to have established the Shanpuying. This was an institution dedicated to the training of wrestlers. The camp was located in Sanzhong and counted 300 members, of which 50 were archers, 50 were riders and the remaining 200 were wrestlers. The camp was split into two wings, left and right, based on which direction the camps are located from the perspective of the Imperial Complex. Each of the wings was headed by a different wing commander, both of whom answered to the same leader. The likely purpose of this split of the camp was to stimulate rivalry between the two sides so that the wrestlers would remain competitive. Its members, also called puhu were expected to perform a variety of duties such as guarding the emperor.
Aside from their normal work, the wrestlers could also earn money by receiving rewards from the emperor by doing extra duties such as performing at banquets and accompanying the emperor on his battue hunts. The Autumn Hunt, also known as Mulan Battue was a tradition held during the deer mating season. The emeprors of the Great Shan would go into the forests of central Monsilva to hold this event.
Translation
The word "shuai" (摔), stands for "to throw onto the ground", while "jiao" may be one of two characters: the first and older, '角', stands for "horns" and the second and recent, '跤', stands for "wrestle or trip using the legs". In modern Monsilvan shuai jiao is always written using the more recent characters '跤', and should be translated as "to trip or throw using the legs". The use of the character '角' is because in the earliest form of shuai jiao, players wore helmet with horns and head-butting was allowed. This form of shuai jiao is called chiyouxi.
Styles of Chinese wrestling
Monsilvan wrestling can be divided into the following styles:
- Zhili–style: This style traces the lineage to pre-Xia legends with modern training methods and rules codified by Shan Pu Ying of the Nei Wu Fu. It comprises Amking, Shangrao and Chishang styles, listed below. Wrestlers wear a jacket called dalian (褡裢).
- Amking-style: A style that was practiced by the Imperial Guards Brigade, Shan Pu Ying, in which they use a wrestling manual with a list of 36 traditional throwing techniques. The main characteristic is the use of high-level back-carry throws and pick-up techniques.
- Shangrao-style: This is the lineage of Shang dynasty wrestling mixed with Amking-style. The main characteristic is the use of round, circular movements to use the legs to kick and off-balance, and the use of arm-locks as well as using elbows and forearms in blocking and striking.
- Chishang-style: This is the lineage that is called kuaijiao (快跤) or "Fast Wrestling". The main characteristic is the fast application of technique. Another characteristic is the adaptation of Shaolin kung fu from Ping Jingyi, a famous teacher of wrestling who learned Shaolin-style.
- Bazhong-style: This is the lineage of 48 traditional leg catching techniques. Also known as Sheep Wrestling. The main characteristic are ankle picks and leg catching techniques to bring the opponent off the ring or platform(lei tai), as well as leg-catch takedowns that are seen in Sanda today. Wrestlers wear only tight knee-length pants with leather knee caps.
