Introduction to Chinese Wrestling

Chinese wrestling is the oldest style martial arts recorded. In Chinese history, records of this wrestling system can be traced back to 2697 BC. The Shaolin style of Sil Lum Kune has its roots in Chinese wrestling. Many of the self-defence techniques of Sil Lum Kune have grappling elements, which belong to the history of Chinese wrestling. So Chinese wrestling has both striking and grappling elements, which helps it to become a very effective form of self-defence.

The Chinese wrestling syllabus has fused together the striking elements of Sil Lum Kune with the grappling elements to help create a hybrid system of martial arts / self-defence. The numerous drills, bag work, dummy work and free sparring helps the student to develop a good cardiovascular system and also helps to test the students skills under a pressured and controlled environment.

Shuai-Chiao does not rely on just physical strength, but uses balance, leverage and circular throwing motions. Using the circular theory of yin / yang - Shuai-Chiao redirects incoming energy into a throw or takedown or submission.

Proper stances and footwork also forms an integral part of the Chinese wrestling system. Knowing when to adopt the correct stance and tactically manoeuvring your opponent into a disadvantageous position so that you can capitalise on it is part of the decision making process the student will learn.

In Sil Lum Kune Chinese wrestling we help and support each other to learn proper use of technique – we inform each other when techniques are implemented weakly so we can improve ourselves. The whole system has been appropriately developed into a grading system, which enables the practitioner to progress through different levels of skill up to Black Sash.

Origins of Sil Lum Kune’s Chinese Wrestling

Sifu Paul Burkinshaw has studied Chinese martial arts for twenty years covering various aspects and techniques for grappling. During this time he studied the art of Mongolian Wrestling with Master John Holden, as part of the Shaolin Fist system.
Sarinder Singh studied under Paul during the early 1990’s. Part of his training to achieve his Black sash was the Chinese and Mongolian wrestling. This brief period of wrestling inspired Sarinder to explore deeper into the various styles of grappling and wrestling. Over the next ten years he trained in Judo, Olympic wrestling and Brazilian Ju Jitsu to name but a few. This enabled him to gain a very comprehensive range of knowledge and experience in these arts.
 
Around 2000 Sarinder contacted Paul and explained his training in the various wrestling and grappling arts and his desire to combine his experience and knowledge with Paul’s to form a comprehensive wrestling system. Sarinder spent the next three to four years occasionally attending some classes and taking seminars. During this period Paul and Sarinder formulated ideas for the wrestling syllabus. During the latter part of 2004 Paul, Sarinder and David Richardson tested out the practicality of these ideas. This resulted in the formation of the Sil Lum Kune Chinese Wrestling syllabus and classes began in January 2005.