MacDill Airmen fighting to put Pankration on the map

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Pankration. No, it's not the latest special at the local waffle house, but a form of mixed martial arts one 6th Air Mobility Airman hopes will catch on with other MacDill members, and the Air Force.

It's roots go back to ancient Greece, and it was practiced by Spartans as a form of boxing and wrestling designed for the battlefield. Today, Pankration is similar to the all-out octagon style sport fighting combining boxing, wrestling, karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that has become popular in recent years. The difference is Pankration does not permit strikes to the head.
The big advantage is the sport is seen as less dangerous and thus is not as regulated as boxing and mixed martial arts, making setting up matches around the country a lot easier, said Staff Sgt. Stephen Pina, a firefighter with the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Pina, who has been martial arts fighting since 2002, can tell you a lot about Pankration. He recently competed in the 2001 all-military Pankration tournament in California, and came home with a second-place trophy in the 175-pound, welterweight division. Considering the Army and Marines have organized Pankration teams that work all year for the event, and the Air Force does not, he sees it as a big accomplishment.

"I went out on my own as something I just wanted to do myself, and I went up against teams that are very well trained and supported," Pina said. "I'm very happy with my performance."
Pina said Pankration provides fitness and good competition, both of which he sees as beneficial to his military career. At this point he doesn't have plans to become a professional fighter, though he said will keep fighting for "medals and respect."

His immediate goal is to spread the word about Pankration and create more interest within the Air Force community. He believes the sport is in keeping with the warrior ethos of the modern Air Force, and that an official Air Force team would be good for morale.

"We're war fighters, but we don't have an MMA team like the other services," said Pina of the Air Force. "It's something I'd like to see one day."

Until then, Pina encourages any MacDill Airmen interested in learning more about the sport to contact him. Pankration requires a good deal of commitment, and most wash out or give up, but for those Airmen with the spirit and determination, it could be just the kind of challenge they need.

The sport also is not as dangerous as some believe, Pina said.

"You can be injured, but that is the same with any sport," he said. "I've been injured playing football, for example, but I've never been injured with this (Pankration)."

Pina can be reached via email at Stephen.pina@us.af.mil.