Wushu has company
India is sending participants for four of the martial arts forms at the 2018 Asian Games, skipping the jujitsu competition.
India’s tally at Asian Games:
Gold medals available at Jakartapalembang:
Of the five martial arts that are part of the 201■ Asian Games programme, four — jujitsu, kurash, pencak silat and sambo — are being contested for the first time at Jakartapalembang. Wushu has been included in every edition since 1990. India is sending participants for four of the martial arts, skipping the jujitsu competition.
Wushu
Wushu, a traditional Chinese martial arts form, is divided into two categories — taolu and sanda. Taolu deals with predetermined, acrobatic movements where the contestants are judged on their technique against imaginary attackers. Sanda, on the other hand, is a fullcontact sport, a combination of ancient practices and modern sports principles, resembling wrestling or kickboxing with a lot of grappling. In the seven editions that have featured wushu, China has dominated with 65 medals. India has won five — one silver and four bronze — and is sending a 13member team this year.
Jujitsu
A Japanese traditional martial arts form, jujitsu is a grapplingoriented combat sport that involves a lot of ground fighting. Matches are won by points or submission.
India is not participating in this event.
Sambo
Sambo, a mix of judo and wrestling, was developed by the Russian army in the 1920s. The name is an acronym of a Russian expression that translates as ‘unarmed selfdefence’. Striking isn’t allowed and points are won by throws or submissions. India has selected a sixmember team for the event.
Kurash
A traditional martial arts form from Uzbekistan, the main difference between kurash and other martial arts is the absence of ground fighting. It is an upperbodyonly form involving a lot of standing techniques. Twelve participants from India are being sent for the Games.
Pencak silat
Pencak silat is a form of fighting that originated in Indonesia as a means of selfdefence and turned into a competitive sport. It is a fullbody sport that involves, striking, grappling techniques and throwing along with the use of certain types of weapons. After first announcing a 22member team, the Indian Olympic Association cut the squad down to three, sending a handball team instead.