(Dan Tri) - Dozens of sturdy young men in the capital stripped naked and wore loincloths, fiercely competing for a 20kg wooden ball during the Thuy Linh village wrestling festival (Hoang Mai, Hanoi).
The Thuy Linh village wrestling festival (Hoang Mai, Hanoi) takes place in the first 4 days of spring (January 4 to 7) and is a traditional festival commemorating the merits of Linh Lang - Great King, demonstrating the noble tradition. martial arts, preserving local cultural identity.
After 2 days of competition, this afternoon (February 15), the third day of competition has found the finalists. Dozens of young men in Thuy Linh village, through a dramatic competition process, participated in the final match in two age groups, 2-3 years old and over 2 years old.
A large number of spectators and tourists from all over stood packed around the competition area located next to Thuy Linh village communal house.
Thuy Linh village's wrestling festival dates back to the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong (1054 - 1072). At that time, Crown Prince Linh Lang (fourth son of King Ly Thanh Tong) often organized a wrestling festival for soldiers to have fun every Tet and also as a way for him to exercise his soldiers' health.
The square playing field has a hole in the center of the field to place the ball and 4 holes (also called goals) at the four corners of the field. Each team has 2 players, wearing white pants, naked bodies and belts in 4 colors red, blue, yellow, purple to distinguish.
Based on traditional rituals, each tournament will have 12 participating teams, each team has 6-8 members divided into groups. The last 4 winning teams in the qualifying round will participate in the final.
The large ball is made of jackfruit wood, painted red with many yellow vein patterns. Shuttlecocks are also divided into 2 types: those of official age (18 years old or older) compete with a 20kg shuttlecock, athletes under 17 years old compete with a 15kg shuttlecock.
Wrestling is a sport that trains both mind and strength while also being strategic. Teams will find ways to bring the ball placed in the middle of the field to their team's hole in the corner of the field in the face of fierce opposition from team members. other.
Young men with strong bodies and strong muscles compete for a 20kg ball in front of cheers from the surrounding audience.
Each time the ball is put into the hole, that team will receive a Con prize from the organizing committee. With 1 consecutive points scored, the team will receive a Con prize. Outside, many sponsors are willing to spend hot bonuses to make the tournament more attractive.
Strength, agility, and flexibility are essential elements for every athlete to overcome opponents' blocks and bring the ball to their goal.
Tran Hoang Gia Huy (20 years old) scored the decisive point to help the yellow belt team win the over-18 championship. Huy said he felt very happy and proud to be the factor that brought home the first prize for the team. This is Huy's third year participating so he has a lot of experience competing.
Before the competition for the over 18 year old group, the 12-17 year old group also found the champion team after an equally dramatic competition.
