most popular - Taiji, Wing Chun, JKD (or some other reality defense thing)
btw, “Jap” is considered offensive to some (I don’t know why) but the PC version is Jpn.
as far as i know, jap is considered insulting because that’s how it was originally intended – as a derogatory term. same with the term negro, wop (look it up), etc. in these cases, the words themselves didn’t make the insult. rather, the intent did.
I don’t see SD taking that spot, because first off, there’s a number of arts with far more teachers out there than SD could put out(an advantage of an art that is pretty old- essentially, despite whatever Sin says, all instructors in SD are taught by Sin or his brother or one of the people they taught, whereas tai chi and wing chun had many instructors when SD just had two, and have continued their growth rather well when you add in Bruce Lee and the PRC tai chi forms).
I think tai chi. Then wing chun.
Dark Knight, interesting posts on growth in large martial arts. The only point I’m not sure I agree with is the point at which the split happens, but the examples that come to my mind had what I think of as unusual internal problems that maybe caused splits earlier(A large chunk of Chung Moo Quan split off after the release of the grandmaster from prison and much strangeness connected with that, jungyae moosul had a split because of the difficulty for instructors to receive training and the tendency toward “you can’t teach without the master, because you don’t know the whole secret system” being aimed at people who actually owned schools). The examples I’m familiar with have more to do with schools that have total control of their curriculum, because it apparently never existed before the founding of these schools in the US. They all seem to have splits as early as 20 schools and less. I would imagine the group you’re citing(USSD) did not seek or have such control, and so there was no real risk of them trying to seriously control who could teach outside of the org in order to keep people in the org, whereas in the groups I’m citing, there was an attitude of “you’re either in the org, or you can’t teach”.
As for most popular martial art, I’d say bjj is still on the rise, and will continue to be.
Schools like Villari and USSD wil always be the biggest because they have the mission of expansion. They turn out Black Belts then look to open schools.
TKD is the biggest in this country for that reason. Everyone and their brother has a Black Belt in TKD. Its fast and easy to get. Then the classes are fast paced, exciting, sweaty for a good feeling, positive and no one gets hurt. (I know there are exceptions)
Time is spent on drills , some form work, but the class does not slow down like a grappling class would have to or an internal chinese class.
Avoid boredom and the class stays full.
Two years later you have a bunch of Black belts, open one or two more schools and they start the process.
The organizations that win are the ones run as a certification organization, yu can call you school whatever you want, keep your rank registered with the governing body and everyone is happy.
Rouge,
Forgive me if I respectfully disagree with you.
While you were correct in stating that the arts you mentioned all have “sport components” they are all Combat Sports and the truth is most people don’t like to get hurt. (Ironic isn’t it? to study martial arts and not like the actual physical struggle?)
While these arts may be very effective, highly respected, and esp for san shou - will certainly increase in size compared to the current schools, in comparison to tkd, wing chun, shaolin -do etc. the numbers will always be lower because the public at large does not support them in numbers. the core of these groups are generally young, fit, aggressive men. - not the target demographic group to go after if you’re looking for widespread popularity.
San Da, wave of the future…
In one month, “Who is the King of Stand Up Fighting?” Part I!
Elizabeth, NJ, USA – Teams across the United States and around the world are all beginning their final training cycle and getting their affairs in order for the largest San Da event of the year, the North American San Da Championship. Registrations are slowly starting to flow in, and brackets are being drawn. Will US athletes uphold their national honor, or will experience foreign athletes command the field?
While all the athletes are anxious, there is a special burden on those elite athletes who have been selected for the night time show, the “2003 Super Fights”. They are the feature attraction at the inaugural King of San Da: USA™ event and, more importantly, they are part of the first leg of a long journey to determine “Who is the King of Stand Up Fighting”? They are fighting not only for bragging rights but also for the right to advance in a long series of events that will result in matches against champions from six different nations and world titles.
“I'm very excited to fight in the first official King of San Da event! San Da is my favorite style of fighting and I'm proud to represent my school in this event” says Sarah Ponce of Houston Kickboxing. Sarah is scheduled to face Chrissy Yandoli of AFC Kickboxing. Chrissy comes into the event with an impressive list of titles and lots of ring experience, though a majority of it in American rules kickboxing. While Sarah is a member of a major San Da team (her trainer, Mike Altman, is a multi time San Da champion), she knows that ring experience often plays a key role in the outcome of a match. “I know she is much more experienced than me” but Sarah quickly adds “I put everything into my fights”. A co-feature match of the “2003 Super Fight”, everyone expects this to be a war!
With all due respect to the women, the men don’t expect their matches to be a walk in the park either. Rapidly rising San Da star Ian Morgan of New York City is set to take on Duncan Duffin of Michigan as the other co-feature of the night. San Da insiders see Ian as the next big champion, especially if Boston’s Albert Pope retires in the next year, but Duncan has plans of his own. “This fight will no doubt be one of the biggest, most anticipated fights of my career” Duncan told us. That’s saying a lot coming from a man whose past opposition has been Albert Pope, Ed Carpio, Jose Palacios, and Danny Hoyer! Duncan is going to give 200 per cent and this will be a real test for Ian but, ever the gentleman, Duncan also added “I look forward to meeting him”. True athlete, true champion material!
Another match on the “2003 Super Fight” card offers the possibility of a little revenge. In March 2002, Derek Szmyt (Boston) out pointed Brad Burrick (Michigan) at the first King of San Da: USA event, the north east regional amateur tournament. Brad would like to return the favor, “He got me once but I'm hoping to change that this time”. Brad feels that this time he may have the advantage. Their first meeting was under amateur San Shou rules but Brad, who is also a Mixed Martial Art (MMA) athlete, prefers fighting under San Da rules. “I like how knees are now being allowed. I think those rules cover the basics of stand up fighting”. Does this mean that Brad discounts Derek’s chance to win yet again? Never. Like all San Da athletes, Brad has nothing but respect for his opponents. “He does come from a very well established San Shou school and I'm sure he will very prepared to fight that night”. So Brad’s final prediction? “I think this should be a tough fight and very entertaining for the crowd”. Brad’s yet another true gentleman.
Some slightly smaller gentleman would also like you to know they are going to give it their all. Jordon Trujillo (Maryland) and Vladimir Strelnikov (Brooklyn, NY) are 11 and 12 respectively but don’t think they’ll be playing games. Jordon is the son of San Da champion Jullio Trujillo so he’s got genetics in his corner. And Vladimir Stelnickov has none other than world famous Muay Thai trainer Vlad Borodin in his! A battle of this magnitude has even some of our center referees scared! But it’s all in good fun, we assure you. You’ll get a real kick out of San Da and the “2003 Super Fights”
2003 Super Fights
Part of the King of San Da: USA North American Championships
November 8th, 2003
The Rexplex Sports Complex
NJ Turnpike Exit 13-A, next to IKEA
Elizabeth, NJ
All info can be found at
http://www.angelfire.com/sd2/kingofsanda/uskbasanda.html
For more information, please contact King of San Da: USA™
43 W 24th Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10010
( (212) 242-2453
DavidRoss@nykkgym.com