History
Ssireum is a traditional form of wrestling in Korea where athletes try to push each other to the ground by holding the fabric belts wrapped around the waist and legs called sapta.
This wrestling, which has been performed on holidays, celebrations, and festivals since ancient times, was enrolled on Representative List of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018 by South Korea. In addition, this type of wrestling is included in the education curriculum in Korea and importance is given to having it survive.
Rules
Two players wear long fabric belts around their waists and try to grab each other's belts and knock each other to the ground. The athlete who brings any part of the opponent's body to the ground wins the match. Ssireum games are played on sand and are open to participants of all ages. For adults, the winner of the game is given an ox ,symbolizing agricultural abundance, and the title of “Jangsa”. When the games are over, Jangsa parades through the neighborhood riding the ox to celebrate. This sport, where spectators gather around the ring and cheer, is one of the traditional sports taught to every Korean youth by their families.
