How long is a sanda fight?
B · Beginner · The bout · 1 of 6A sanda bout is three rounds of two minutes each, with one minute's rest between them. Each round is scored and won separately, and the first fighter to win two rounds wins the bout. If one fighter takes the first two rounds, the third is not fought. Junior bouts may use rounds of 1 minute 30 seconds.
How it works
- Rounds: three, of two minutes each.
- Rest: one minute between rounds. Fighters are called back at 50 seconds.
- Actual fighting time: the clock runs from the platform judge's "Kaishi" and stops at "Ting", so stoppages do not count.
- The end of a round: the timekeeper sounds a gong.
- Winning the bout: the first to win two rounds.
- Juniors: rounds may be 1 minute 30 seconds.
- Competition method: round robin or knockout.
- Events: individual and team.
- Red and blue: each fighter brings one set of clothing in each colour.
The glossary has sanda, the bout, the leitai, the ting and kaishi calls, the sanda officials and the absolute victory.
Tricky cases
A fighter loses the first round heavily and wins the next two narrowly. Who wins?
That fighter. The bout goes to whoever wins two rounds. Points are not carried from round to round.
Does the clock run while a fighter climbs back onto the platform?
No. The timekeeper stops the watch at "Ting" and restarts it at "Kaishi".
Can a bout end before three rounds are fought?
Yes. It ends when one fighter has won two rounds, and earlier still on an absolute victory, a default or a disqualification.
In a round-robin event each fighter wins one round and the third is tied. What is the result?
A draw. In a knockout the tie is broken, by warnings, then admonitions, then an extra round.
Why the rule exists
Scoring by rounds means a fighter who is well behind in one round starts the next level, so a bout stays alive to the end. Counting only actual fighting time makes two minutes mean the same in every bout, however often the judge has to stop it.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Senior bouts | Three rounds of two minutes; one-minute rest | Sanda Rules, General Regulations Art. 2 (slides 5 and 6) |
| Junior bouts | Rounds may be 1 minute 30 seconds | Sanda Rules, General Regulations Art. 2 (slide 5) |
| Round robin, rounds level | Draw | Sanda Rules, Winner and Loser (slide 75) |
| Knockout, rounds level | Fewer warnings, then fewer admonitions, then an extra round | Sanda Rules, Winner and Loser (slide 76) |
From the rule book
International Wushu Federation, Sanda Rules and Judging Methods (2017 rules, as set out in the federation's 2023 judges' training course slides), General Regulations (Articles 1 and 2) and Determining Winner and Loser (Article 1). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Sanda Competition Rules and Judging Methods (not saved; a training copy was used).