Wrestling in Incheon
South Korea - Daegu - Incheon - Jeju - Seoul - Daejeon
Wrestling, well known in Korean as Ssirum, is a traditional Korean Sports. Influenced by the Europeans some 5,000 years ago, the game started in Korea. The game has been carried into the 21st Century as a traditional game linked with international recognition and competitions. It has been included as an important event in the Asian Games and the Olympic Games. Influenced by the teachings of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, this combative skill was developed with an element of compassion, discipline and self control. Tournaments were held and the winners were given the title of changsa, i.e. the strongest man in the world. The winner was presented with a live bull.
Wrestling in Incheon is not a seasonal sport. It is played and practiced
through out the year. Wrestlers practice in a closed circular arena. Wrestlers
try to push and pull each other down on the floor. People enjoy watching them
as there is no bloodshed involved in the game. The game has become so popular
that it has become a very competitive event in the Asian and the Olympic Games.
Ssirum or Wrestling is not a game that involves only the physical strength of
the player. It also requires a strong spiritual strength because the wrestler
has to judge and take an instant decision to thrown down his opponent. Winner
is adjudged within a few rounds a small circular arena with a diameter of seven
meters. Wrestler can win a combat by scoring points for diverse skills like
reversals, takedowns, escapes and nearfalls. A wrestler can win the game at
any point of the match by turning down his opponent to his back, which is known
as a pin.
Korean Wrestling Federation has been set up to organize Wrestling Tournaments. The first National Tournament was held in 1959. Jang Chang Sun was the first Korean to win a gold medal in an International Wrestling Event.
Wrestling is a popular sport in Korea which is enjoyed by people of all ages. Koreans observe this game with a keen interest to keep up their tradition.
AsiaRooms.com provides a vivid description of Wrestling in Incheon.
