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History of Shuai Jiao (Chinese Wrestling)
Ancient History
Shuai Jiao is the most ancient of all Chinese martial arts with a history of over 4,000 years.
Its first recorded use, in a military engagement, was when the Yellow Emperor of China fought
against the rebel Chih Yiu and his army, 2,697 BC. They used horned helmets and gored their
opponents while using a primitive form of grappling. This early style of recorded combat was
first called Jiao Ti (butting with horns). Throughout the centuries, the hands and arms replaced
the horns while the techniques increased and improved. The name Jiao Ti also changed and was
referred to by many names popular at that time in history or by government decree.
The original Chinese Martial Arts, a combat wrestling system called Jiao Li (Strength and
Endurance Skills), was systematised during the Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 BC). This military
combat wrestling system, the first combination of fighting techniques historically employed
by the Imperial Army, consisted of throws, hand and foot strikes, seizing joints, attacking
vital parts and breaking joints in context of throwing. All of these elements of fighting skills
were practised in training during the winter months and used in hundreds of battles in ancient
China. It is the root and the foundation of Chinese martial arts. Used primarily in military
engagements, Jiao Li gradually became a sport in the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) during the reign
of the Emperor Shi Huangdi. Even as a sport practiced on the Lei Tai (Sparring Platform) exponents
would aim to prove that their skills were superior to that of their opponent. Only the very best
of Jiao Li exponents proven in battle and on the Lei Tai would be selected to become bodyguards
to the Emperor. As the martial arts of choice for the Emperor’s bodyguard, Shuai Jiao was also
considered to be the most effective of the Chinese fist styles. Over many centuries the art was
taught to the Imperial Military.
In ancient times, practitioners of Shuai Jiao competed against one another bare-chested,
in modern times training is undertaken in a heavy quilted canvas cotton jacket. One important
point is that Shuai Jiao does not depend on the opponent’s jacket or clothing in order to throw
them. The priority is to grab the muscle and bone through the clothing in order to control and
throw the opponent. The use of the competitor’s jacket, that has short sleeves above the elbows
and the jacket itself wraps tightly around the torso with a canvas belt, adds variety of
techniques in controlling and throwing the opponent. Fast footwork using sweeps, inner hooks
and kicks to the opponent’s leg are combined with the controlling-striking arms that create a
two directional action making a powerful throw. Chinese martial arts pants and wrestling boots
are usually worn, but bare feet are acceptable for the novice.
Modern History
In this century is taught in the police and military academies of China and Taiwan (ROC).
Shuai Jiao embodies the principles of both Internal and External styles and the vast majority
of martial arts have their roots in Shuai Jiao. There are many other major styles of Shuai Jiao:
Beijing; Tian Jin; Mongolian (Boke); and Bao Ding which is also referred to as Kuai Shuai
(Fast Wrestling). There are diverse types of wrestling indigenous to the minority groups in China
such as the Uighurs in Sinkiang and Yis in Yunan province. Most of the Shuai Jiao practitioners
in the late Qing Dynasty were based in the Northern China; until the establishment of the Republic
of China 1911, when the art was then introduced to Southern China.
Famous masters of the late Qing early Republic of China are: Ping Qing-I, Chang Feng-Yen, Pai Chun-Feng,
Ku Jui-Nien, Man Lao-Ming, Shih Lao-Chin, An Lao-Hua, Wu Szu, Shan Tien-Pao, Li Jui-Tung, Chu Kuo-Chen,
Wang Tzu-Qing and Ma Liang. They followed by the well known figures of modern Shuai Jiao: Chang Tung-Sheng,
Chang Tung-Ju, Chang Tung-Po, Chang Tung-Chi, Yen Shan-I and Ma Wen-Kuei of the Bao Ding style; and Shen San,
Yang Chun-Hen, and Pao Shan of the Beijing style; and Mu Hsiang-Kuei, Lui Shao-Tseng and Pu En-Fu of the
Tian Jin style. When the Nationalist Government established itself on Taiwan (ROC) in 1949, a few champions
of Shuai Jiao migrated to Taiwan (ROC) and introduced Shuai Jiao. The most famous Master was Chang Tung-Sheng,
others recognised Shuai Jiao Masters are: Jeng Hsing-Ping, David Lin, Chi-Hsui Daniel Weng (USA), Li Wing-Kay
(Brazil), Yuan Tzu-Mou (France), Hwang Ching-Zeng (Germany), and Louis Lin (Sweden). These Masters have been
responsible for promoting Shuai Jiao overseas to Europe, the United States and South America. The next generation
includes Masters: Chang Da-Wei (Taiwan ROC) – the grandson of Chang Tung-Sheng - Rob Simpson (United Kingdom),
and Antonio Langiano (Italy).
Modern Shuai Jiao evolved from an ancient form of battlefield combat.Its techniques are the culmination of
tested grappling experience in the best environment – the battlefield. This practical and devastatingly efficient
method of combat has evolved into a sophisticated and effective - no nonsense - system of martial arts. Its
philosophy shares the same principle of internal systems of Chinese martial arts: Yin and Yang. In fact, the
advanced Shuai Jiao practitioner utilises both Internal and External principles and views these principles as
two sides of the same coin meeting at a junction, and complimenting each other, but coming from totally different
origins. In modern times Shuai Jiao Masters are employed by the police and military of a number of nations across
the world including China and Taiwan (ROC). So even today, Shuai Jiao's effectivness as a martial art is still
being proven, in both close military combat and the street.
Shuai Jaoi Syllabus
| Beginners' Programme | ||
| White Belt | Basics - Level 0 | |
| Novice Students' Programme | ||
| White Belt (Level 1) | 6th Jei - Grade 6 | |
| Pu | Stances - Level 1 | |
| Tao Ti Fa | Falling and Rolling - Level 1 | |
| Da | Blocking and Striking - Level 1 | |
| Shuai | Throwing - Level 1 | |
| Na | Seizing and Grappling - Level 1 | |
| Chi Pei Tung | Belt Drills - Level 1 | |
| Tao Lu | Forms - Level 1 | |
| She Da | ||
| Huan Zhou | ||
| Jing Sai Shuai Jiao | Shuai Jiao Sparring - Level 1 | |
| Technical Programme | ||
| San Da | Contact Sparring - Level 1 | |
| One to Three Step Programme | ||
| White Belt (Level 2) | 5th Jei - Grade 5 | |
| Pu | Stances - Level 2 | |
| Tao Ti Fa | Falling and Rolling - Level 2 | |
| Da | Blocking and Striking - Level 2 | |
| Shuai | Throwing - Level 2 | |
| Na | Seizing and Grappling - Level 2 | |
| Chi Pei Tung | Belt Drills - Level 2 | |
| Tao Lu | Forms - Level 2 | |
| Sou Zhou | ||
| Tiao Luo | ||
| Jing Sai Shuai Jiao | Shuai Jiao Sparring - Level 2 | |
| Line Programme | ||
| San Da | Contact Sparring - Level 2 | |
| Line Programme | ||
| Students' Programme | ||
| Blue Belt | 4th Jei - Grade 4 | |
| Pu | Stances - Level 3 | |
| Tao Ti Fa | Falling and Rolling - Level 3 | |
| Da | Blocking and Striking - Level 3 | |
| Shuai | Throwing - Level 3 | |
| Na | Seizing and Grappling - Level 3 | |
| Duan | Breaking and Dislocation - Level 1 | |
| Chi Pei Tung | Belt Drills - Level 3 | |
| Tao Lu | Forms - Level 3 | |
| Sha Ba Ho Zhuan | ||
| Sha Ba Ho Ti | ||
| Jing Sai Shuai Jiao | Shuai Jiao Sparring - Level 3 | |
| Basic Programme | ||
| San Da | Contact Sparring - Level 3 | |
| Basic Programme | Light Contact Continuous | |
| Blue Belt (Level 1) | 3rd Jei - Grade 3 | |
| Pu | Stances - Level 4 | |
| Tao Ti Fa | Falling and Rolling - Level 4 | |
| Da | Blocking and Striking - Level 4 | |
| Shuai | Throwing - Level 4 | |
| Na | Seizing and Grappling - Level 4 | |
| Duan | Breaking and Dislocation - Level 2 | |
| Chi Pei Tung | Belt Drills - Level 4 | |
| Tao Lu | Forms - Level 4 | |
| Chang Ching Ti | ||
| Chang Ching Ho Ti | ||
| Jing Sai Shuai Jiao | Shuai Jiao Sparring - Level 4 | |
| Basic Programme | ||
| San Da | Contact Sparring - Level 4 | |
| Basic Programme | Light to Semi Contact Continuous | |
| Senior Students' Programme | ||
| Blue Belt (Level 2) | 2nd Jei - Grade 2 | |
| Pu | Stances - Level 5 | |
| Tao Ti Fa | Falling and Rolling - Level 5 | |
| Da | Blocking and Striking - Level 5 | |
| Shuai | Throwing - Level 5 | |
| Na | Seizing and Grappling - Level 5 | |
| Duan | Breaking and Dislocation - Level 3 | |
| Dian | Point Striking - Level 1 | |
| Chi Pei Tung | Belt Drills - Level 5 | |
| Tao Lu | Forms - Level 5 | |
| Shan Ba Ho Ti | ||
| Kao Di Su Dong | ||
| Jing Sai Shuai Jiao | Shuai Jiao Sparring - Level 5 | |
| Intermediate Programme | ||
| San Da | Contact Sparring - Level 5 | |
| Intermediate Programme | Semi Contact Continuous | |
| Senior Students' and Trainee Instructors' Programme | ||
| Blue Belt (Level 3) | 1st Jei - Grade 1 | |
| Pu | Stances - Level 6 | |
| Tao Ti Fa | Falling and Rolling - Level 6 | |
| Da | Blocking and Striking - Level 6 | |
| Shuai | Throwing - Level 6 | |
| Na | Seizing and Grappling - Level 6 | |
| Duan | Breaking and Dislocation - Level 4 | |
| Dian | Point Striking - Level 2 | |
| Chi Pei Tung | Belt Drills - Level 6 | |
| Tao Lu | Forms - Level 6 | |
| Te Ho | ||
| Tiao | ||
| Shuai | ||
| Kao | ||
| Bung | ||
| Jing Sai Shuai Jiao | Shuai Jiao Sparring - Level 6 | |
| Intermediate Programme | ||
| San Da | Contact Sparring - Level 6 | |
| Intermediate Programme | Semi to Full Contact Continuous | |
| Advanced Students' and Instructors' Programme | ||
| Black Belt | 1st Duan - 1st Degree | |
| Da Shuai | Blocking and Striking - Level 1 | |
| Kuai Shuai | Throwing - Level 1 | |
| Na Shuai | Seizing and Grappling - Level 1 | |
| Duan | Breaking and Dislocation - Level 5 | |
| Dian | Point Striking - Level 3 | |
| Tao Lu | Forms | |
| Advanced Programme | ||
| Jing Sai Shuai Jiao | Shuai Jiao Sparring | |
| Advanced Programme | ||
| San Da | Contact Sparring | |
| Advanced Programme | Full Contact Continuous | |