Shoulld Platform fighting such as in movie "Blood Sport", "Fearless" be brought back to today's society?

Question

The Lèi tái, is a raised fighting platform, without railings, where often fatal weapons and bare-knuckle martial arts tournaments were once held. "Sanctioned" matches were presided over by a referee on the platform and judges on the sides. Fighters would lose if they surrendered, were incapacitated, were thrown or otherwise forced from the stage. The winner would remain on the stage (as its "owner") unless ousted by a stronger opponent. If there were no more challengers, they would become the champion. Private duels on the stage had no rules and were sometimes fought to the death.

"Source From Wikipedia"

Even though, it is risky, but that is the only way to truly determine what martial styles and which fighters are more effective.

Today our society will not accept no rules tournament, yet we accept casualties of war.Is that crazy or what? There are risk in extreme sport. When two individuals want to risk their lives to prove something they believe in, i say let them do it

Answer 1

Actually, the Lei Tai is still used in Wushu full contact competitions in China.  New York city's resident Shaolin monk Yang Ming had to fight on a Lei Tai way back when when he was national temple champion.  Also the Lei Tai I believe is still used in Taiwan whenever the Kung Fu masters there need to test their student's ability to apply the moves in a real confrontation.  You assume the Lei Tai tradition has stopped; truth is it was never gone.

In fact you know that video game series Virtua Fighter?

Where do you think the programmer Yu Suzuki got the idea for having a raised platform?  For most of SEGA's VF franchise, the characters fight on a Lei Tai, resently they have changed the rule.  The reason why the Chinese prefered the Lei Tai over all other methods, is that it forces the two fighters to pay attention to their surroundings.  If you do not pay attention to your surroundings, and your opponent, you get thrown right out of the runway.

For people who practice Shuia Jiao or any other form of wrestling, it prevents brainless charging, as brainlessly charging someone on the streets for instance, if they happen to be an agile would be victim, all they have to do is step out of the way at the very last second and you end up banging your head against the wall.  In a Lei Tai match, that gives your opponent enough momentum which they can use to push you in that direction and help you leave the runway.

As to whether it should make a combat or not, sure, but with all regulations governing sports.  It would certainly be interesting to see a UFC fighter on a Lei Tai with a Shuia Jiao expert.

10 bucks on the Shuia Jiao fighter.

later.

Answer 2

you're talking about the same society that had the bugs bunny cartoons taken off of the air due to violence. good luck getting platform fighting to make a comeback. i'm with you, but what in the world would the majority ***** about if they agreed too?

Answer 3

hello?

semi-recent history of vale tudo productions anyone?

Answer 4

ROFL!

Bluto called it. What were you up to in 1993? Better yet, ever heard of Vale Tudo?

Oh and BTW, there still are Lei Tai competitions. You can look them up on youtube. Also, San Shou matches are sometimes fought on a Lei Tai.

Answer 5

I don't agree with the no holds barred - no safety aspect of this style of fighting.

Yes, it is risky, and in my opinion, unnecessarily so. There's no reason to risk your life to beat another human being. To do so is to completely disregard the spirit of martial arts found at their origin. Could it be feasible for this type of fight to make a return with the use of reasonable safety gear? Why not? It is a traditional style of fighting that should be celebrated. However, we are in modern times in which there is no need to kill or permanently injure another person, in any non-self-defense situation.

Answer 6

Well, I know Sanda is normally fought on a Lei Tai but it has rules. At least its fought on the lei tai, I guess. Lately I've been seeing it in rings. Hmm..

Answer 7

The film "Blood Sport" was fictious.

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Answer 8

I agree. After all, that's how the UFC started out, and look at them now.