Sanshou (≤56 kilograms), Men

Sanshou, also known as sanda, is a combative form of competitive wushu, based in traditional Chinese boxing, involving kicks and grappling techniques. In comparison to the World Championships, only three out of 11 weight classes were held for men.

The 2007 ≤56 kg World Champion had been Zhang Shuaike of China, defeating Nazir Shandulayev in the final. The same two fighters fought their way into the Olympic final as well, and Zhang again took the title once more. In fact, the two bronze medallists, Macau’s Qin Zhi Jian and Benjie Rivera of the Philippines, had also won bronze medals at the World Championships.