Pankration

[MikeJKD]

I need any info that you all might have on Pankration Competitions happening in the US. I would prefer to keep these amateur-level, as a few people that are interested want to do it as training for a possible Olympic trial sometime in the future, but money fights are okay too. I live in Colorado, so the closer the better, but right now, we're interested in events all over the country. Thanks,
Mike

[edro]

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[MikeJKD]

edro,
I have actually already affilaited our whole club with Pankration Athlima, as well as the International Union of Pankration. They have a killer website, and a lot of competitions abroad. I think they're based in France. What I'd really like to do is set up a cooperative effort with several schools in the Western US (I live in Colorado, and anyone within 3 states in all dorections - Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Kansas, etc.) would be close enough to justify travelling for fights. If we could get 10 schools on board to put together teams and host tournaments, it could be a really worthwhile deal. Lots of fights for up-and-comers, and exciting cards for Olympic hopefuls...
Let me know what you think.
Mike

[SoulChaser]

I live a short way from team USA Pankration coach Keith hackney. I am interested in training in it. It should be awesome.

[Maxximus]

???

I didn't even know Pankration was an Olympic event. What are the rules? AND Keith friggin' Hackney is a Pankration coach???

[MikeJKD]

Apparently, they are pushing pretty hard to get it into the Olympics (funny...that's where it started, developed, and became popular, but suddenly people worry that it's not "olympian" enough...) and the "official" governing body has it listed as an exhibition sport for 2004. The board of directors includes people like Ken Shamrock and Keith Hackney, and yes...Keith is the "Head Coach." I'm not sure why...I thought he was a Kempo guy trying to break into movies, but what the hell. The rules are actually ridiculously long, but are very similar to what you'd see in a UFC or Pride...striking, no elbows, but knees to the head and body are okay, takedowns, throws and submissions all cool. Apparently, there are several derivatives that are trained...Ano Pankration is striking only, and runs like a light continuous kickboxing match. Kato Pankration is the NHB style competition, and from what I can tell, Hackney has instituted a belt ranking structure similar to Kempo, and a "self-defense" competition like you'd see at point tournaments. I guess maybe they are going for the broad range appeal. The Kato Pankration still sounds cool though.
Mike

[Patterson]

I hear its like a point tkd competition and you get like 10 seconds on the ground with no strikes.

[MikeJKD]

there is a section called ano pankration that has no grappling, but kato pankration allows it (submission).