In the US, San Da (San Shou) fighters who have achieved significant success and done much to popularize the sport include Cung Le, Rudi Ott, Marvin Perry, and amateur fighters such as Max Chen and Rich Acosta. Fighters like these and too many others to name them all can be credited with keeping a great sport alive that has at times been overwhelmed by more popular or well known sports such as Muay Thai and especially MMA (Mixed Martial Arts sports such as UFC and Pride).

World Champion San Shou fighter Cung Le throws U.S. San Shou team captain Rudi Ott. These images show a couple of the signature techniques of San Da. Max Chen and Rudi Ott awaiting the judges decision declaring Chen winner at the Born to Fight Sanshou Shootout. Le, Ott & Chen often train together. (Photography by Paul Myers)

A clear advantage to San Da fighting is in it’s emphasis on the transition from stand up fighting to the ground. It can be argued that it is an ideal sport to learn for anyone who wishes to practice MMA, where the ground action then continues with the emphasis on other styles such as Sambo or Brazilian Ju Jitsu (BJJ) hence, the concept of Mixed Martial Arts takes form.

Rudi Ott delivers an uppercut (above) and Scott Sheeley and his Iron Tigers (right). Mike Altman (far right) takes a shot from Cung Le.

Master Shawn Liu (left) is a pioneer of San Shou in the US and has done as much as any individual to promote it here (www.liuinstitute.com). Another US San Shou pioneers Jason Yee (2nd from left) is the most well known and highly regarded fighter and trainer on the East Coast. IKF World San Shou Champion Marvin Perry (center) from Boston (www.marvinperry.org), K-1 fighter Patrick Barry (2nd from right) and Elaina Maxwell from Cung Le’s Team, who was the first person ever from the US National Team to win a gold medal in San Shou (www.cungle.com).