Mongolian wrestling
Mongolian wrestling (Mongolian Бөх, Böch / Bokh ) is a centuries- old traditional martial art of men in Mongolia (Outer Mongolia) and northern China (Inner Mongolia ). It is one next to the horse riding and archery to the three " male disciplines" of the Mongols.
Rules and Customs
The aim is to bring his opponent to backs, knees or elbows touching the ground. In the variant from Inner Mongolia touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of the feet is sufficient. Weight classes are unknown, fought after the knockout system.
While the outer and inner Mongolian version of the same struggle in many techniques and also both prohibit the choking and hitting the opponent, there are other differences in detail. The rules of the Inner Mongolian variety, it does not allow, for example, to touch the legs of the opponent with the hands.
The main event will take place at the festival on the national holiday Naadam, which is celebrated every year in July. Ulaanbaatar aligns the largest and most famous, but also other cities organize their own celebrations. Only at these festivals the wrestlers to fight for ranks, the ascending read as follows: ranglos, " bird " (or " Eagle "), " Elephant " (or " camel "), " Lion" (or " Wolf ", " Dragon ")," Titan " (or" Batjier "," knight ").
The fighters wear during battles a special kind of jacket with long sleeves and open chest. According to one story, the chest was originally closed. But after a disguised woman allegedly beat all the male wrestlers, the costume was modified to prevent such events in the future. Worn often also Gutul, the traditional Mongolian boots.
The struggle also has a short ritual in which the wrestlers stretch out his arms like bird wings. The loser has to pass as a sign of inferiority among the poor of the winner at the end of the fight.
Similar sports
Similar celebrations and wrestling matches are everywhere in the former khanates ( part rich ) of the former Mongol Empire, such as in Kazakhstan (where Kara called kuresch ), Kyrgyzstan, Turkey ( there Yagli called güreş ) and in the steppe peoples south Siberia. The Mongolian wrestling also has the Chinese Shuai Jiao ( Shuai Chiao ) and the Korean Ssireum affected.
The successful than the sumo wrestler Asashoryu Akinori family in Japan has produced many well-known athletes of this sport. In recent years, a number of Mongolian athletes has been established in this discipline. This commitment has certainly also the fact that in contrast to the high salaries and bonuses of the Japanese sumo wrestler in Mongolia, only comparably small prize money or in kind ( cattle ) can be earned. Mongolian wrestlers have been able to achieve internationally in western wrestling and judo remarkable achievements.