Introduction 

Dear masters, 

The wrestling fighting of existing matter in the teaching program and was mandatory in the ranks of promotion examinations in Vietnam in the period of apogee of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao (1964 - 1975)

After 1975, outside of Vietnam and almost in all countries of the world, the wrestling is taught only on the technical level (28 techniques VAT) and through the SONG Luyen (codified fighting, the 1st to 3rd), leaving aside the wrestling fighting, which is no longer present in the ranks of passages or in competitions.

This is also the same situation in Vietnam! After 15 years of prohibition, when the government agreed that the Vovinam VVD resume its activities (1990), the wrestling (VAT) is always absent in graduation ceremonies and in tournaments.

We will not discuss the reasons for the disappearance of the wrestling fighting found above because it is not the aim of this proposal. This year, on the occasion of the 8th World Congress of Vovinam-VVĐ 2016, i wish to submit a proposal entitled: Proposal on wrestling fighting regulations for the Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao international, aiming to restore traditional material of our discipline and at the same time reviving the traditional culture of Vietnam.

This project has been experienced for many years, both in form: the clothing aspect, the fighting area, behaviors, terms ... .as the fund: ratings, prohibitions, length, weight ...

At the beginning of 2013, the Council of the masters of France and me, we decided to restore the wrestling at the Great Gathering Traditional (53th celebration of the foundation). In order to ensure this experimentation, I travel in all the clubs in France and Belgium to teach the techniques and regulations of the wresling fighting for masters, teachers and practitioners. This is necessary to prevent injury and accidents due to lack of preparation of the techniques of wrestling fighting. Indeed many injuries on our first attempt, 31 years ago (1985), due to a lack of rules clearly explained, we had decided to suspend this type of competition.

Through these trainings, testing in 2013 was a great success among practitioners, parents and spectators. We therefore have continued and perfected through the national tournaments of 2014, 2015 and 2016, the 2014 World Cup in Paris and the European Cup in 2016 in Belgium.

Through these positive results, we believe that this is the time to present our project to the World Council of masters of Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao to formalize this traditional material internationally. 

Brief overview on the traditional wrestling in Vietnam

When human society becomes civilized, the wrestling became a cultural, sports and military. Since ancient times, the Greeks and Romans had created the wrestling techniques in Europe (Greco-Roman wrestling is an Olympic sport), the Russian Sambo, Korean and Ssireum, the Japanese and Sumo, Mongolian and traditional wrestling (Bokh) ...

In Vietnam, through historical traces of ancient times, we know that Mrs. Lê Chân, a general of the Trưng Sisters (year 43 period Trưng Sisters) organized tournaments and wrestling training centers to recruit new talent in the coastal region of Hai Phong. Mr. Nguyen Chinh Tam, of the same time that Mrs. Lê Chân, had opened a training room to teach the wrestling in Mai Dong (Ha Noi) and was considered the founder of the wrestling in the region Dong Mai. In the 10th century, Duong Dinh Nghe had reactivated the wrestling center Mai Dong and recruited 3,000 valiant wrestlers.

Under the Ly and Tran dynasty, members of the royal family had come to " Giảng võ đường  " (training center) to train in martial arts and wrestling techniques, one of the important subjects. According to the great history book "Dai Viet Su Toàn Thư Ký," the son of King Tran Thừa (1184-1234), Prince Ba Liet (Hoài Đức Vương, born in 1216, the father of Trần Quốc Toản) suffered strangulation that cut her breath during a wrestling tournament and had escaped death through the intervention of King Tran Thừa.

The first title of Doctor of Wrestling in Vietnam was awarded to Mr. Vu Phong (1443), under the Le dynasty, and after, there was Mr. Mạc Đăng Dung (1483-1851) who became famous for his wrestling talent . Mr. Lê Như Hổ (1511-1581), Mr. Doan Nguyen Kham (Mạc  Dynasty) ...

In summary, the wrestling has always been present in the Vietnamese martial arts. Moreover, wrestling tournaments are held each year during festivals or large popular manifestations in the cities, villages across Vietnam. The wrestling has become a national and traditional sport ...

The oldest and most reputable training centers of wrestling are in the regions: Mai Động Yên Sở, Tây Mỗ… in Ha Noi; the training centers of Quốc Oai, Bát Bạt, Thạch Thất (the province of the Master Founder Nguyen Loc) ... in Sơn Tây region; clubs  Tri Nghị, Đồng Nguyên, Chung Mầu, Long Khám ... in the Hà Bắc  region; clubs Nha Môn Thạch Sơn, Tứ Xá, Tử Du ... in Vĩnh Phú; clubs Mỹ Lộc, Giao Thủy, Xuân Trường… in Hà Nam region; clubs Hoàng Hoá, Phú Khe, Lương Quán… in Thanh Hoá ; clubs Nghi Lộc, Nam Đàn… in Nghệ An ; Tien Lãng clubs in Hải Phòng : clubs Quảng Ninh, Bố Trạch in Quảng Bình ...

Regulations traditional Vietnamese wrestling are numerous. They depend on the region or examinations for the selection of officers in martial arts under various monarchies.

However, they have the following characteristics: 

• Organizations are held once every 3 or 4 years for selection examinations officers in martial arts under the monarchical regimes
• Organizations are held each year in the provinces and villages or during major holidays or during the New Year festival (Tết festival) 

The candidates must be shirtless, and are dressed in a sort of belt with "loincloth". There is no distinction level, grade and weight. Punches, kicks... are prohibited. They can catch their opponent to drop or throw. To win must be satisfied the following conditions: 

• Push the opponent out of the fighting area (circle diameter of 4 to 5 meters).
• Lift the opponent so he cannot touch the ground with both feet (if a foot touches the ground, the technique does not count).
• Projecting the opponent so that his shoulders and back touch the ground (if it falls face down, the technique is not valid).
• Secure the opponent by a key or a constriction until it admits defeat.

In competitions, there is no time limit in a wrestling match. Candidates must fight until there is a winner.

There are two categories of the tournament:

-          Small tournament: reserved for small competitions in which there are few participants. Candidates are drawn and fight for the playoffs until the final for a winner is declared.

-          Big tournament: reserved for major competitions, championships between cities. 

Prices are distributed as follows: 

• 1st prize: it takes 6 consecutive wins in 6 fights to be able to measure the defending champion (winner of the previous year). If he wins, he will be the first prize.
• 2nd prize: the candidate must win 5 of 6 fights for the right to fight against the second ranked candidate from the previous year.
• 3rd prize : the candidate must win 4 of 6 fights to be able to fight against the third ranked candidate from the previous year

Regarding regulations on wrestling fighting in  Vovinam-Việt Võ Đạo 

• The regulations for wrestling fighting in the Vovinam-VVĐ are established since 1964 by the "Steering Committee" (or the first Council of Masters of Vovinam-VVĐ). 
• The wrestling fighting (Đấu Vật) is a compulsory subject in the examinations passing ranks as well as: Quyền, Song Luyện, Techniques etc. 

It is composed as follows: 

• • 3 wrestling fights : for examinations Blue Belt 2nd and 3rd Cap
  • 6 wrestling fights: for examinations Yellow Belt 1st Cap.
  • 9 wrestling fights: for examinations Yellow Belt 2nd Cap.
  • 12 wrestling fights: for examinations Yellow Belt 3rd Cap. 

• Each fight lasts 3 minutes.

Proposal on Wrestling Fighting Regulations in Vovinam-VVĐ international

IX.          Warnings 

The juy or the referee has the right to issue warning and assign penalty points (points off) at anytime on condition that they respect the following procedure: 

• Launch the order to stop fighting "THÔI ".
• The referee and the judges are to meet at the table of the jury to decide all measures of warning and penalty points (see annotations 1: Table of penalties).
• The warnings and penalty points are valid only if the decision is a simple majority (2 votes for and one vote against).
• Penalty points must immediately be recorded by the judges.
• The Referee announces the reason for the penalty while designating the candidate at fault.
• Fight resuming 

X.         Suspension of the fight 

The fight is suspended (temporary stop) by the referee or one of the members of the jury in the following cases: 

• When both feet of one of the fighters enter the « security perimeter ».
• Fighters or coach may request the suspension for a rest of 15 seconds or to request abandoning the fight.
• The jury has the right to suspend the fight and decide the winner if he believes that the fight too dangerous because there is an important difference in the level.
• On the intervention of the President of the Jury, the Competition Director or medical personnel 

XI.        Claims 

Only coaches of the fighters have the right to make a complaint provided that they respect the following procedure: 

• Make claims at the end of the fight.
• The candidates can claim only via their trainer.
• The trainer must go to the table of the jury for his claim and possibly file its appeal to the Jury President or the Director of the competition.
• It is forbidden to claim out loud in front the public or to quarrel with the jury.
• After issuing claims, the trainer and his fighter must respect the decisions of the jury or the Jury President or the Director of the competition. 

In the case of non-observance of these above rules, disciplinary measures will be applied to the fighter or his delegation.  

XII.       Regulations about encouragement of the fighters during the fight 

• During the fight, both trainers are the only ones allowed to speak and give advice to their fighter.
• The supporters can encourage their fighters with applause but must never speak to them promulgate their guidance or criticism.
• It is forbidden for candidates to: talk, contest or provoke his opponent during the fight. But, they may request the suspension fight for to ask advice on their coach 

XIII.        Weight categories

The weight categories are determined by the decisions of each country or according to the championships. But they are often established as follows (Tranche of 5 kg): 

1. <  65kg
2. 65 – 70kg
3. 70 – 75 kg
4. 75 – 80 kg
5. > 80 kg 

XIV.       Function of the referee 

• The referee is the guarantor of the respect for the rules, the proper conduct of fight and security of the fighters
• Give the orders as: Start, stop and temporary stop and end of the fight.
• Decides disciplinary measures as: Getting attention (call to order), Warnings, penalty points or disposal.
• Participates in the decision to determine the winner at the request of the jury.
• Control the clothes and protections of the fighters.
• Declare the fighter winner as determined by the jury.
• The referee must be positioned permanently between combatants and face the jury..
• Has the right to suspend the combat if :
  • There is an important level difference of the fighters.
  • On demands of the medical corps. 

XV.     Function of the jury 

• The jury has the function to give note and decide which of the two fighters is the winner. It may also assign penalty points (negative) and disciplinary actions
• At the end of the fight, designate the winner to the Referee.
• To consult the Referee at any time.
• The jury may suspend the fight in the following cases :
  • There is an important level difference of the fighters.
  • On demands of the medical corps. 

XVI.    The Trainer of the Delegation 

His role is: 

• To prepare, assist and advise (also during the fight) to represent his competitors. It is their spokesman.
• The only official interlocutor of his delegation for the jury and the technical committee of the competition.
• The only person allowed to sit on a chair placed next to the fighting.
• The responsible for the actions and behavior of the competitors of his delegation for the duration of the competition.
• The only person entitled to submit claims with the jury or request appeal to the Jury President or the Director of the Competition.
• respect the decisions of the judges or the Jury President or the Director of the competition on its claims
• To respect the working method and the decisions of the referee and the jury members. 

XVII.         Medical corps 

• At any time, competitors, coaches, referees, jury members ... may request the intervention of the medical corps.
• The doctor may order a suspension of the fight after, and the jury will decide who will be the winner. 

XVIII.        Various 

XVIII.1.          Upgrades or sub-classifications of weight classes 

A category is only valid if it contains at least 3 fighters.

The class upgrade or downgrade to a different must be decided by the President of the jury. 

XVIII.2.          The draft or direct qualification. 

For a category of fighting to proceed correctly, the number of candidates must be always an even number. The President of the Jury can decide the direct qualification of a candidate, by drawing lots.

Equally, the president may decide to give a second chance to a deserving candidate having lost in the previous round (draft). 

Annotation 1: Table of penalties