It have been officially reported there will be a new fighting division held at the 2012 US Open in Orlando, Fl. The new division is called “clash sparring”. Apparently, Clash Sparring is no different from regular Point Sparring as practiced in most schools and tournaments. The scoring and equipment are used the same. The only catch is the point system is strictly enforced. Fighters must effective offense and defense to as in ordered to be rewarded.
Now my first thought about this new division is shouldn’t this been required in the fighting division from the beginning? Often times, I have noticed there are some martial arts who are only good as fighters, but can’t defend themselves in a real altercation (vice versa). Too many times competitors have scored on the account of poor techniques (i.e. backfist to the body or bent leg sidekick which lacked power) being rewarded a points. There is no premium placed on “who scores first” but rather, “who scores most”.
Boxing hook punches and upper cuts are prohibited. One good thing is competitors can score with both offensive and defensive counter techniques and combinations, rather than just being “first”. In Clash Sparring a good defensive fighter has the same advantages as someone who is firing off the line. Clash Sparring also eliminates this game of “tag” people happened to label it.
Hearing about this division gotten me a raised eyebrow. US Open has always been acknowledged mainly because of their showcase of emphasis on Weapons and Forms competition on Espn 2. Ironically, martial arts is the art of defense while the sport does not fully appreciate the fighters. Despite the fact there a competitors come from dozens of countries, the fighting division has been the backburner of the sport.
Quite frankly, this has caused fighters to revolt by not supporting the tournament. The only fighters who supports the event are either on sponsored teams, within the regional area and/or trying to be on TV (the most obvious one). Thanks to the power of social media websites, there have been apprehensive feeling for the fighters. What is going to happen to the so-called “superfights” which the enrollment declined within the past few years. Perhaps having a new division such as the “clash sparring” would leave a bandage over the wound. I wonder what do some of the fighters think?
