Amateur Pankration
Amateur Pankration. The Pankration was the most highly regarded event of The Ancient Olympic games. Now also known as Pancration, Pangration, and Pankration Athlima, Pankration a combination of the Greek words "Pan" and "Katos" meaning "the one who controls everything". Ancient Pankration was known by Hercules and Kastor 2500 years B.C. It was introduced as men's sport in the 33rd Olympic Games in 648 B.C. The 5th century B.C. also introduced Pangration Paidon (children's Pankration). Pangration and Pangration Paidon remained on the Olympic program until the 6th century A.D. Philostratos described Pangration to the ancient world as "...the best of the Olympics".
Modern day Amateur Pankration
There is no direct link of ancient Pankration to the modern sport. The modern version is an amateur form of Mixed Martial Arts with emphasis on safety and sportsmanship. Amateur Pankration is now a recognized from of International Wrestling under the Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées, also known as FILA.
Today the Pankration championships include: Pangration, Pangration Paidon (children's Pangration), Palaismata, and Polydamas.
Pangration (Freefighting) and Pangration Paidon (children's FreeFighting)
Rules allow Wrestling and Judo style and take downs, Jiujitsu and Grappling style submission holds, along with Karate and Muay Thai punches and kicks directed to the body.
- Palaismata
Palaismata is a prearranged demo of self defense techniques.
- Polydamas
Polydamas is a prearranged demo of self defense techniques against three armed opponents.
Tournaments and Championships
Each Year FILA holds the World Wrestling Games which hosts the World Championships for Pankration, Grappling, Beach Wrestling and Traditional Wrestling. The Following Nations participated in the 2008 World Wrestling Games in Albania. Greece, United States, France, Russia, Portugal, Italy, Albania, Canada, India, and Kazakhstan.
- Amateur Pankration in the United States
The USA Federation of Pankration Athlima founded 2001, is the recognized sanctioning body of Pankration in the United States. Tournaments in the United States are mainly held in the Midwest and West Coast.
- Amateur Pankration in the US Military
Since 2006 the Amateur Pankration League has held the United States Armed Forces Pankration Championships at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. The event is now held on Armed Forces day with participants coming from the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, National Guard. The Army has had limited participation and have their own Army Combatives Championships.
Amateur Pankration Resources
- World sanctioning body:
Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées
- US sanctioning body:
The USA Federation of Pankration Athlima
- Pankration in California and the Military: