|
|
|
|
Would you believe that the strongest man under the heavens is Korean?
A professional league was formed in 1983 and now wrestlers are divided into weight classes. Eight times a year a national tournament is held and the winner of the unlimited class division is given the title of the "Strongest Man Under the Heavens." Ssirum is a contest of physical strength and technique in which two contestants compete in direct contact with one another. Simply put, it is wrestling found only in Korea. As each country has sports unique to its own culture, such as football is in the United States, Korea has its own style of wrestling, called Ssirum. At first, Ssirum was practiced as a combat art or method of self-defense and as a part of rituals carried on from the ancient tribal states. With the advance of civilization the formation of specific rules governed the practice and allowed Ssirum to develop into a major national sport for purposes of competition and entertainment. Ssirum is not a activity restricted to only a few athletes but an indigenous folk sport that anyone, whether as a participant or a spectator, can enjoy. Ssirum contests involve two contestants grasping, pulling, lifting, tangling, twisting, pressing, turning, and tumbling, as each competitor attempts to throw his opponent to the ground. The major distinction between Ssirum and other combat sports, like judo or wrestling, is the objective: if a competitor can force any part of the opponent's body above the knee to touch the ground, the competitor wins the bout. Because Ssirum is practiced by grasping the strap tied around the waist and thigh, pulling and lifting an opponent by the waist through an angle of 90 degrees, it normally requires considerable muscular strength and endurance. It is equally important, however, to take advantage of an opponent's strength by sensing and guessing what his next move will be in order to bring him to the ground. Traditionally, the final winner of a Ssirum tournament was customarily awarded a bull, which was not only a symbol of strength, but also a valuable asset in an agricultural society. Because a bull was a farm's prime working animal at the time, it was a most meaningful and generous award in every respect. The origin of Ssirum is not known yet, but the oldest evidence pertaining to Ssirum in Korean history is a mural painted on the wall of a royal tomb located in the old capital city of Kokuryo Kingdom in southern Manchuria, which was discovered in 1905. This tomb is believed to have been built around the 4th century and in view of the fact that the ancient Ssirum style was similar to that of contemporary Ssirum, we can imagine how much the sport was enjoyed among the people of Koguryo. It is likely that so popular a sport was practiced well before that time. The first official records on Ssirum can be found in the Koryosa (the book on the history of the Koryo Dynasty). According to the literature, in March 1330, King Chunghe entrusted major affairs of state to his aides each day so that he could practice Ssirum with an errand boy. The King was criticized for disregarding royal customs to practice Ssirum within the palace grounds. Nonetheless, the king ignored criticism and continued his participation in the sport. The chronicles of the Chosun Dynasty recorded that King Sejong once sailed out to Josa Island for pleasure cruise, and in addition to holding a banquet on board for his entourage, an equally important part of the entertainment was a Ssirum contest put on by his soldiers. With the development of consistent rules and guidelines, Ssirum has continued to progress from a traditional pastime and method of self-defense into a well-loved folk and popular modern sport that continues to be a part of the lives of Koreans today. Ssirum is brilliant national sport, which has long been enjoyed and cherished in Korean society. Through Ssirum, Koreans believe both physical strength and personal fitness can be achieved, as well as gaining a greater appreciation of their ancient culture. In conclusion, Ssirum may well be said to be a Korean national sport which symbolizes the spirit of Korean people.
|
|
|
|
Actually, that may not be true, but Korean Ssirum fans
would like to think so. Ssirum is a traditional Korean
form of wrestling believed to have originated about 1,500
years ago. In a ring of sand seven meters in diameter,
two competitors grab each other by a sash tied around
both the waist and upper thigh and try to throw or push
the other to the ground.