Russian All-Round Fighting

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Russian All-Round Fighting (RAF) is a hybrid martial art consisting of various Russian and Soviet combat, fighting and martial systems. The system is founded by three men: Maxim Shatunov, Eduard Sergeev and Denis Rojkov.

RAF clubs are functioning in many Russian cities. RAF Federation HQ is based in Saratov, Russia. It holds annual Russian Championships, Instructors Seminars and provides for various kinds of martial arts training.

Contents

[edit] Influences

  • European martial arts - Fighting, combat, wrestling, martial and sport systems and styles; from ancient and mideveal times to more recent eras
  • Sambo - Including the combat and sport variations
  • Storm Fighting - A sort of NHB, 10 seconds per round at 10 rounds fighting competition
  • Street fighting - A common occurrence in contemporary Russia
  • Folk styles - Influenced by folk games, events and competition such as fisticuffs and mass fighting

[edit] Philosophy

RAF combines the best elements of martial arts: sport, art and combat. In this way the practitioner should get the best fighting abilities out of the system.

The aggressiveness of the system, it's offensive (rather than self-defense) orientation can be considered as the part of the RAF philosophy.

Though English version of the site does not state that, the Russian (or the main) version indicates clearly that RAF Founders adhere to Russian heathenism. It also tells that the RAF ideology is based on Russian heathen morality.

[edit] Political incorrectness

It's not apparent whether or not it is part of the martial art itself; or just the opinions of the founders of the system, but several statements on the RAF website might indicate that the RAF philosophy inherents some political incorrectness. Some example quotes from the RAF website are:

The civilised White man has no need to imitate any Asian habits.
RAF has never used, does not use and will never use any technical actions or principles taken from Oriental or other non-european martial arts.

The rhetoric about Oriental martial arts could be considered as over aggressive and politically incorrect, while others would consider it racist or the type of ideas spouted by white nationalists and white supremacists.

It could be argued that political correctness is not so well established in Russia yet, and such statements are made out of ignorance rather than ideological reasons.

RAF also uses a "Swarga wheel" as it's symbol which could be interpreted as racist. The same symbol is also used by the ultranationalist and anti-immigrant movement in Russia.[1]

However, RAF states:

The emblem of the RAF Federation is the variant of the Slavic symbol called "Swarga" or "Swarog Wheel". It is an ancient solar symbol, being represented by the eight elements cross rotating clockwise. It is depicted in gold or bright yellow colour.
It is used to depict the emblem on the red background. In Slavic tradition the red colour is a symbol of beauty and vitality, while the gold colour is the symbol of the Sun. The combination of these colours is the most powerful among all colour combinations.
Any other interpretations of the symbols of the organisation are considered incorrect and deliberately provocative.[2]

[edit] External links

[edit] Videos

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