Combat Hopak

Combat Hopak – Ukrainian Cossack Martial Arts

Combat Hopak (or Boyovyy Hopak) is an Ukrainian martial arts supposedly derived from Cossack military traditions. Combat Hopak schools can be found in the Ukraine as well as countries with large Ukrainian immigrant populations such as Canada and the United States.

Many elements of this martial arts were hidden in Ukraine dancing (the Hopak) as Ukrainian martial arts skills were suppressed by Russia & the Soviet Union. In the 1980s, Volodymyr Pylat took these elements and created Combat Hopak.

For other European martial arts (i.e. Bartitsu, Systema and Pankration), please visit the main European Martial Arts Styles section.

Demonstration of Combat Hopak

Reference Sources

  1. Toronto School of Ukrainian Martial Arts, http://www.bhopaktoronto.ca/about-us/, Added – 11/17/15