Moscow,December 21,2025
A New National Sport Emerges: Shodsanlat,”Like a beating Whip”
Table of Contents
A unique martial art blending boxing,taekwondo,and wrestling is gaining traction in Russia,with ambitions for international recognition.
- Shodsanlat, originating in teh 1990s, combines striking and throwing techniques with a focus on safety and respect.
- The sport was officially included in the All-Russian Register of Sports in 2016.
- Organizers aim to establish an all-Russian association and, eventually, an international federation for shodsanlat.
- A core tenet of shodsanlat is instilling perseverance, strength, and respect in young athletes.
A burgeoning martial art, described as “like a beating whip,” is rapidly gaining popularity across Russia. Shodsanlat, a name evoking both power and tradition, is more than just a physical contest; it’s a ideology rooted in ancient values. As one attendee quoted at the recent St. Petersburg tournament, “As ancient times, action has been the measure of actions here // And courage has been held in high esteem since childhood; // The key to respect is spirit, not flattery – // Eagles gain it in flight!”
The youngest competitors, boys as young as eight years old, took to the ring first, embodying the principles of shodsanlat – adaptability, tenacity, and strength. Battles unfolded, each fight a lesson in resilience. One young fighter, Emelyan, spurred on by his mother Olga’s eager shouts from the stands, demonstrated remarkable determination.After a close exchange and a coach’s mid-fight advice – “Pull yourself together! Grab the leg, you see, he only hits with a straight leg!” – Emelyan secured a hard-fought victory.
“I have two more fights,” Emelyan declared, his ambition clear. He went on to win every subsequent bout, collecting medal after medal to place around his mother’s neck.
From Riot Police Training to National Sport
Shodsanlat’s origins trace back to the 1990s, when Magomed-girey Sukiev developed a specialized fighting technique for the Ingush riot police. Sukiev’s creation prioritized safety and respect, allowing fighters to conclude matches without sustaining injuries. He systematized a combination of striking and throwing techniques, including amplitude throws with neck grabs and proactive limb blocking.
The art was first presented to the public at a martial arts conference in Moscow in 1990 and officially recognized in 2016 with its inclusion in the All-Russian Register of Sports. “We instill in children perseverance, strength, and respect for their opponents, which will help them in the future. Our soldiers are an example of honor, courage, loyalty and unity for them,” stated Evgeniy Klimuk, President of the SSL Federation of St. Petersburg.
Latar and Bo-Lat: Two Sides of the Same Coin
The tournament itself was structured around two distinct components: latar (duel) and bo-lat (fencing). Latar featured seasoned wrestlers, prepared for full physical contact and grounded in principles of respect and honor. Bo-lat, on the other hand, showcased younger, developing athletes practicing with foam sabers as they honed their skills.
“shodsanlat is more than a sport. This is a discipline that tests our ability to curb brute force with a higher meaning,” concluded priest Dmitry Zubov, underscoring the sport’s commitment to both physical and moral development. Boris Grishin, president of the all-Russian public organization “Committee of National and Non-Olympic Sports of Russia,” affirmed the commitment to growth, stating, “Our plans are to further develop shodsanlat, our national sport. We plan to create an all-russian organization, and then an international federation.”
