History of Pankration

Pankration Athlima is an authentic Greek martial art and an athletic combat sport that was an integral part of the ancient Olympic games from 648 BC onwards for about another thousand years or so. The origins of the sport can be traced to the ancient mythical Greek demi God Herculeus and its current day propagation is attributed to Alexander the Great, who took the sport with him across his conquests over Europe and Asia.

The name Pankration is derived from the words PAN + KRATOS, which literally translates to mean "All + Strength" or "the one who has power" or "the one who wins with total strength and knowledge". The Ancient Greek Olympians termed the sport of Pankration as the "Worthiest of All Olympic Contests". As Greece will be the host nation of the Olympic Games in 2004, the International Federation of Pankration Athlima (IFPA) and the World Pankration Organization (WPO), are actively and jointly working towards the goal of reintroducing Pankration to its rightful place in the International Olympic Arena.

Pankration Athlima is essentially an ideal Olympic Sport, for it unites all Martial Art practitioners throughout the world. Under a common set of rules and regulations, with particular attention being paid to safety aspects, Pankration Athlima's modern set of rules and regulations, permit competitors to safely utilize their individual fighting technique without compromising or limiting their own traditional Martial Art style.

In Pankration Copetitions, the only techniques that are banned are the ones which may cause serious injury, techniques such as throat chokes, head throws and all forms of brutal attacks to the head, groin, spine or joints. Kicks, punches, strikes, throws, holds, locks, knee attacks, elbow attacks, head butts are legally permitted, as long as they are targeted at legitimate and designated areas of the anatomy. Full but controlled contact to the body is permitted but contact to the head is limited to light contact only (skin touch or no touch). Winners are declared either by Knock Out, by Technical Knock Out based on points accumulated or by giving up or submission or by disqualification of the opponent.