Yaw-Yan
Officially Sayaw ng Kamatayan (Yaw-Yan)
Filipino kickboxing developed 1972 by NAPOLEON A. FERNANDEZ in Quezon City — blends TRADITIONAL FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS (arnis, sikaran) + KICKBOXING + MUAY THAI + KARATE + JUDO influences. Known for RAPID HIP-ROTATING KICKS + 'DOWNWARD-CIRCULAR' PUNCHES ('haymakers') generating exceptional power from Filipino balisong-like whipping motion. Called 'Dance of Death'. Popular in Philippine MMA + kickboxing scenes.
Quick facts
Category
Combat Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1–2
Duration
~12 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇵🇭 Philippines
Estimated origin
Founded 1972 by Napoleon A. Fernandez in Quezon City; systematised from Filipino martial arts + kickboxing training; Yaw-Yan Kickboxing Federation founded 1980s.
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Win by KO, TKO, points, or forcing opponent to submit; use signature hip-rotating kicks + circular power-punches.
Rules
Basic rules
HIP-ROTATION KICKS — signature high roundhouse + spinning kicks with strong hip rotation
Signature Yaw-Yan hip kicks.
'DOWN-STRIKE' CIRCULAR PUNCHES — hammer-like overhand punches thrown in whipping arc
Signature circular punch.
SWEEPS + TRIPS + KNEE STRIKES allowed
Standard kickboxing extras.
12 STANDARD KICKS in the curriculum (numbered progressive)
Standard kick numbering.
AMATEUR shorter rounds with more protective gear; PROFESSIONAL full contact
Standard tiered rules.
Scoring
10-point must scoring per round; KO / TKO / submission / decision.
Win condition · KO, TKO, technical decision, or judges' points decision.
Equipment
Boxing gloves (10-14 oz)
Standard kickboxing gloves.
Shin guards, mouth guard, groin guard, headgear (amateur)
Standard protective gear.
Kickboxing shorts
Standard bout attire.
Terminology
- Sayaw ng Kamatayan
- 'Dance of Death' — poetic Filipino name for the art.
- Downward strike
- Signature overhand hammer-punch.
- Fardas
- The traditional practitioner uniform / lineage identifier.
Major competitions
Philippine Yaw-Yan Championships
annual · Philippines · since 1980
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Yaw-Yan Kickboxing Federation of the Philippines
Founded 1985 · Quezon City, Philippines
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Napoleon A. Fernandez (PH, founder / 'The Mestizo')
- Sammy Loyola (PH, prominent early practitioner)
- Sherdel Estopin (PH)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Yaw-Yan— Wikipedia