Russian Martial Arts

	Sambo

Russian Martial Arts is the art of survival of the fittest and a way of living naturally. The history of this art is quite ancient. It can be divided into four periods. It’s important to note that this art has evolved over these four periods.

The period of tribal combat is considered the first period of influence in the history of Russian Martial Arts. Between the sixth and seventh century, different types of combative sports and contests were held in ancient tribal villages. This was quite common during holidays and festivals.

All of these hand-to-hand combative sports were carried on from generation to generation. In fact, these tribal sports were the foundation of Russian Martial Arts. All of those tribal fighters were considered very brave warriors.

The second period of Russian Marital Arts existed from the ninth century to the thirteenth century. This time period is also known as “Norman Period.” A new dimension of development was seen in Russian Martial Arts at that time period.

With the progress of metallurgy, fighters started using kolchuga (shirt), myech (sword), shelm (helmet), and long kite shields. The new attire and weaponry were applied to combat attacks from western and northern peoples. New tricks and techniques were applied that made Russian Martial Arts more flexible and effective.

The third influence of the martial art existed from the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries. During that time period Russian Martial Arts was mainly influenced by the eastern Mongolian and Tatar civilization. Several new weapons were introduced during these three civilizations. Some of them were round shields, eastern style body armor, and the Cossack, which was a very lethal weapon. The art once again began to advance with the changing times.

The fourth period can be started in the 20th century. This time period is also called the “Global Period”. In the 1900’s, the October revolution and Bolshevik regime greatly influenced the martial art. The King of the Bolshevik regime wanted to abolish all of the native sports. This included martial arts.

Nevertheless, Stalin got involved and decided that all native combative sports should exist under one roof. Russian Martial arts, as well as other combative sports would develop into one national sport, known as “SAMBO.” To this day, Russian Martial Arts is considered as the origin of “sambo.”

A contemporary training center of the derivative martial art depicts each of these periods of influence at present moment. This center is called “All Russian Native Self–defense System”(ROSS). ROSS is the present representative of Russian Martial Arts approved by the National Olympic committee of Russia.

Russian Martial Arts has plenty of benefits. From its inception, it was a natural way of living, struggling, and ultimately surviving as the fittest. It is very popular amongst the present generation of Russia too. A thorough training in martial arts can help increasing stamina, breathing capability, endurance, and swiftness in a human body. Although Russia’s physical art form went through many different stages, it still exists and can be practiced today.