The Soviet Union always had original combat training and hand fighting systems like combat sambo, Cossack fighting, etc. Those were mostly schools of closed type. They were aimed at military departments and security agency, beyond mere people’s reach. Although karate boom in late 70’s was restrained by Soviet government, there were some risky enthusiasts gaining information about martial arts.

The first big karate school officially recognized in Moscow was “Central Karate School” lead by Alexei Shturmin. Many famous sportsmen and instructors were trained there and, later, when the school was closed by government, they started their own subbranches and styles. One of the most popular karate branches is Kekusinkai founded in Japan by Korean master. But the first introduction into this branch was in late 70’s when the book “vital karate” had wide circulation. Later, A. Tanyushkin, a well-known leader in Moscow, took part in one of the international seminars taught by Japanese instructors.

Vladimir Kovalev, Alexei Shturmin, Tadeush Kasyanov, Ilya Gulyov, and many others are worthy Russian karate and other martial arts masters.

After many years of martial arts taboo we had a new wave in late 80’s. Now among miscellaneous clubs and centers, representing various schools of karate, aikido, taekwando, wushu, vin chun, kickboxing, Russian fight, etc., we had some outstanding ones with government support. They become international martial arts centers subbranches interested in their expansion.

Valery Gusev is a talented master from Moscow, able to attract many students to him. He was taught by traditional Chinese master in late 70’s – early 80’s. Valery was the first who opened a wonderful world of Chinese wushu to others with its ‘sticky hands’ and fascinating taolu: ‘foot-projectile’, ‘crane against adder’, etc.

Professor Ma Menta, who was invited to Moscow in the beginning of the 90-s, demonstrated his family Tongbei. Seeing enthusiasm and desire of Russian wushu fans, he decided to revive his family style… in Russia. The best masters, his closest students, who are the members of Ma clan have been to Moscow many times sharing their knowledge and experience with Russian colleges.