Senate OKs Oversight For Martial Art Of Pankration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would add state oversight to popular children's martial arts competitions known as pankration.

AB1186 by Democratic Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla of Concord would authorize the state commission that oversees full-contact boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts for adults to consider adopting regulations for pankration. It combines skills from karate and jiu-jitsu.

The Senate passed it 36-0 on Wednesday, returning it to the Assembly.

The athletic commission halted pankration competitions in July to examine whether a minimum participation age is needed. If AB1186 is approved and signed into law, the commission could determine whether other standards are needed, such as physicals for competitors.

Bonilla's bill excludes other karate, tae kwon-do and judo competitions from additional oversight, but some coaches and parents worry it's too vague.

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