California becomes first state to adopt youth pankration rules
USFL president Jon Frank: “I feel we have created a great standard of rules and regulations ensuring the safety of these young athletes.”
Considerable media attention has been focused on youth Pankration events, most notably in California. Proponents of the events say they are not mixed martial arts, and should not be subject to regulation. However, the record of regulation is unequivocally that it saved the sport.
Japan had a thriving MMA scene, that at one point eclipsed that of the USA. However, it was unregulated and organized crime elements took control. When that became public, television withdrew its support, and the sport collapsed.
So youth Pankration fans need not worry.
In response to growing interest in youth Pankration, last year California Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D) introduced Assembly Bill 1186, giving the CSAC oversight of the sport.
The California State Athletic Commission has CAMMO sanction adult amateur MMA, and, under the direction of Executive Director Andy Foster, youth Pankration will be sanctioned by the United States Fight League.
The USFL is a non-profit group that also sanctions adult Pankration competitions at the Marine Corps Base Camp in Pendleton, California.
The new regulations include:
•Minimum insurance requirements for events and athletes;
•Defining maximum age and weight differentials for competitions;
•Medical staffing and screening requirements;
•Safety equipment requirements for athletes;
•Age based technique limitations; and,
•Licensing requirements for coaches and officials to include training and background checks.
I feel we have created a great standard of rules and regulations ensuring the safety of these young athletes while pushing their technical proficiency, said USFL president Jon Frank to C.J. Tuttle for Sherdog.com. Brutality is not necessarily a side effect of combat sports, and I think the rest of the community will be pleasantly surprised once they see the great skills and character traits developed through Youth Pankration training and competition. We look forward to help facilitate and spread this great sport nationwide.
The first USFL youth Pankration event is expected to take place in November.