Ssireum - Korean Wrestling Martial Arts

Ssireum is a Korean martial arts focused on wrestling. Ssireum is also a traditional national sport of Korea.

According to "The major distinction between Ssireum 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 Ssireum is practiced by grasping the strap tied around the waist and thigh, propping, pulling and lifting opponent in a posture of the waist bending 90 degrees, it normally requires considerable muscular strength and muscular endurance. It is equally important, however, to tactfully take advantage of his opponent's next body movement. Thus the technical aspects of the sport are at least as important as raw strength."

According to the Korean Ssireum Association, "In 1927 the Joseon Ssireum Association was formed for the purpose of systematically developing ssireum into a sport. Prior to Korea’s colonial liberation ssireum played an important role in unifying people against Japanese oppression. After national liberation in 1946 the Joseon Ssireum Association changed its name to the Korean Ssireum Association. The objective of the Korean Ssireum Association was the restoration of traditional Korean sports and promotion of physical activity through ssireum by consolidating the various sporting clubs and players and thus producing a higher quality sport."

References

1. Korean Ssireum Research Institute, What is Ssireum?, http://ynucc.yeungnam.ac.kr/~ssi/Introduction/What_is_Ssireum_/what_is_ssireum_.html, Added - 04/25/14
2. Korean Ssireum Association, http://ssireum.sports.or.kr/english/main.htm, Added - 04/25/14

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