{{Short description|Traditional wrestling style of Korea}} {{Italic title}} {{Infobox martial art | image = Danwon-Ssireum.jpg | imagecaption = The painting titled "Sangbak" ({{Korean|hangul=상박|hanja=相撲|labels=no}}) drawn by Kim Hong-do illustrates people gathering around to watch a ''ssireum'' competition in the late 18th century. | imagesize = | name = ''Ssireum'' | aka = ''gakjeo''; ''gakhui''; ''gakryeok''; ''gakgii''; ''chiuhui''; ''sangbak''; ''jaenggyo'' | focus = Grappling | hardness = Full-contact | country = Korea | creator = Unknown | parenthood = Historical | famous_pract = | olympic = No | website = | module = {{Infobox Korean name/auto | hangul = 씨름 | ipa = {{ipa|ko|ɕ͈iɾɯm|}} |child=yes }} }}
'''''Ssireum''''' ({{Korean/auto|hangul=씨름|ko_ipa=ɕ͈iɾɯm}})<ref name="Ssireum">{{Cite web|url=https://blackbeltwiki.com/ssireum|title=Ssireum}}</ref> or '''Korean wrestling''' is a folk wrestling style and traditional national sport of Korea that began in the fourth century.
In the modern form each contestant wears a belt (satba) that wraps around the waist and the thigh. The competition employs a series of techniques, which inflict little harm or injury to the opponent: opponents lock on to each other's belt, and one achieves victory by bringing any part of the opponent's body above the knee to the ground.<ref>{{cite web | title=What is Ssireum? | website=ynucc.yeungnam.ac.kr | url=http://ynucc.yeungnam.ac.kr/~ssi/Introduction/What_is_Ssireum_/what_is_ssireum_.html | access-date=2021-12-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/30/nyregion/ssireum-korean-wrestling-nyc.html|title = Mr. Kim's Lonely Fight to Preserve a Korean Tradition|newspaper=The New York Times|date = 30 August 2019|last1 = Lee|first1 = Chang W.|last2 = Leland|first2 = John}}</ref>
== Etymology == There have been other terms for "wrestling" in Korean used alongside ''ssireum'', such as ''gakjeo'' (각저:角抵), ''gakhui'' (각희:角戱), ''gakryeok'' (각력:角力), ''gakji'' (각지:角支), ''chiuhui'' (치우희:蚩尤戱), ''sangbak'' (상박:相撲), ''jaenggyo'' (쟁교:爭交).<ref>{{in lang|ko}} [http://www.yonginss.com/data/data_view.php?idx=7&page=1&search_txt=&search_sel= Origin and definition of ssireum 씨름의 정의] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319015817/http://www.yonginss.com/data/data_view.php?idx=7&page=1&search_txt=&search_sel= |date=2009-03-19 }} Yongin University Ssireum Research Center</ref> ''Gak'' (각:角), a commonly used prefix, seems to have originated from the combative act performed by horned animals such as oxen when competing against one another for the superiority of physical strength.
==Mechanics== ''Ssireum'' wrestlers seek to turn the opponent's torso from about 45 degrees to 90 degrees when throwing. This is mostly done by shifting the opponent's weight onto their leg then pushing back their weight toward the floor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ynucc.yu.ac.kr/~ssi/newhome/menu6.html|title=Ssireum wrestling hand techniques|website=ynucc.yu.ac.kr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ynucc.yu.ac.kr/~ssi/newhome/img/tech5.gif|title=Ssireum wrestling Jabchigi technique}}</ref>
== History == The earliest evidence of ''ssireum'' dates back to the Goguryeo period (37 BC – 668 AD). Originally used in military applications, ''ssireum'' became a popular pastime of the people, including royal militaries, during the Goryeo and Joseon periods.<ref name="Green">{{cite book|last1=Green|first1=Thomas A.|last2=Svinth|first2=Joseph R.|title=Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9781598842449|pages=192–193|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P-Nv_LUi6KgC&pg=PA192|access-date=29 March 2017|language=en|date=2010-06-11}}</ref>thumb|200px|''Ssireum'' depicted on Goguryeo mural (c.a. 4th-6th century
In traditional life, ''ssireum'' was a popular activity on the Korean holiday of Dano, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and tournaments are held in the summer and autumn. ''Ssireum'' competitions were also held on other days such as the Third Day of the Third Moon, the Eighth day of the Fourth Moon and Buddhist All Souls' Day.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}. The traditional prize at a tournament was an ox, a valuable commodity in an agriculturally based society and symbolizing the strength of the contestant{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}.
In the 20th century, ''ssireum'' became a nationally televised sport in South Korea.<ref name="Green" /> The first modern competition was held in October 1912 at Dansungsa theater in Seoul.<ref name="History of Ssireum">{{Cite web|url=http://ssireum.sports.or.kr/gnb/sub/about_5.php|title=History of Ssireum|website=Korea Ssireum Association}}</ref>
Korean wrestling has been referred to as ''ssireum'' since the 1920s{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ssireum: A Guide to the Traditional National Sport of Korea |url=https://en.urarekishi.com/2023/10/ssireum.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=23 March 2026 |website=UrareKishi |quote=The term ssireum, which means 'wrestling' in Korean, was adopted in the 1920s}}</ref>. The Pan Chosun Ssireum Association was founded in 1927 and held the annual nationwide contest until 1937. The First Pan Chosun Ssireum Championship was organized in 1936 and thereafter professional competitions were held for six consecutive years. In 1946, the Pan Chosun Ssireum Association changed its name to "Daehan (Korea) Ssireum Association". Weight classes were introduced in 1956 at the 12th National Ssireum Championship.<ref name="History of Ssireum"/> The [http://ssireum.sports.or.kr/gnb/index.php Korea Ssireum Association] holds the National Ssireum Championship every year as well as the President's Cup National Ssireum Competition" (since 1964), Professional Sports Competition, Folk Ssireum Competition, and Amateur Sports Competition.<ref name="History of Ssireum"/>
There are two traditional styles of ''ssireum'': a "right-sided" style predominant in parts of Gyeonggi Province and the Honam region of southern Korea and a "left-side" style favored in the Gyeongsang and Chuncheong provinces. The difference depends on the way the ''satba'' is fastened{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}. In 1994, the Korean Ssireum Federation proposed the unification of ''ssireum'' into a single left-sided style as the official style to be used by all competitors.
===Cultural heritage status === Following an unprecedented joint application by both South and North Korea, ''ssireum'' was inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/news/traditional-korean-wrestling-listed-intangible-cultural-heritage-following-unprecedented-merged|title=Traditional Korean wrestling listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage following unprecedented merged application from both Koreas|date=November 26, 2018|website=UNESCO}}</ref> It is also enlisted as the 131st Intangible Cultural Property.
== Method of competition == thumb|A ssrireum match at Gyeongju Citizens' Athletics Festival in 2008 ''Ssireum'' is conducted within a circular ring, measuring approximately 7 meters in diameter, which is covered with mounded sand. The two contestants begin the match by kneeling on the sand in a grappling position (''baro japki''), each grabbing a belt—known as a ''satba'' ({{Korean|hangul=샅바|labels=no}})<ref>{{cite book|last=Connor|first=Mary E.|title=The Koreas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j2gYgXGENM0C&pg=PA325|access-date=16 January 2012|date=2009-06-30|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-160-2|page=325}}</ref>—which is wrapped around his opponent's waist and thigh. The wrestlers then rise while retaining their hold on the other's 'satba.' The match is awarded to the wrestler who forces the other contestant to touch the ground with any part of his body at knee level or higher. Unlike sumo, pushing an opponent outside of the ring does not warrant a win, just a restart. Normally, professional ''ssireum'' is contested in a best-out-of-three style match.
There are three judges, a chief referee and three sub referees. The chief judge is positioned inside the ring, whereas the sub referees are located on the outside of the ring, one to the right and others to the left. If an unfair judgment is called or the chief referee is unable to render a decision, the sub referees can request a revocation of the decision or a rematch. In addition, they can recommend the cessation of the match when an injury occurs. The referees' decisions throughout the competition are absolute and held in the highest regard, meaning that athletes cannot challenge any judgments declared during the match.
Today there are also women ''ssireum'' wrestlers. Women wrestle only among themselves but follow the same rules (except that men are topless whereas women wear tops).
There are four weight classes in professional wrestling: flyweight (Taebaek, 80 kg), lightweight (Geumgang, 90 kg), middleweight (Halla, 105 kg), and heavyweight (Baekdu, under 160 kg), named after the four famous peaks in Korea.<ref>{{cite web |title=Korean Wrestle Mania |url=https://tripologist.com/asia/korean-wrestle-mania-the-2012-seollal-ssireum-tournament/ |website=Tripologist |date=24 January 2012 |access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>
Traditionally ''ssireum'' was contested with the top portion of the trousers rolled down to provide grip. The use of "satba" was invented with the birth of professional ''ssireum'' in the mid-20th century. There is a movement to restore this traditional method of grip, in the spirit of maintaining its cultural and traditional roots, but it has met with some resistance as the use of "satba" has become entrenched in the modern form.
The professional league is dwindling in popularity and many wrestlers have turned their attention to mixed martial arts fighting, even though ''ssireum'' involves no striking or submissions of any kind, as a means of making a living. Choi Hong-man, former champion of ''ssireum'', enjoyed notable success in the K-1 scene. Unfortunately, the future of professional ''ssireum'' remains bleak, with only one team remaining. However, it can also be argued that ''ssireum'' is beginning to undergo global expansion as a popular martial arts sport, alongside taekwondo and hapkido.
''Ssireum'' has remained largely a national/traditional sport. Physical hits such as slaps and blows are not permitted in ''ssireum'', though they are in sumo. In both sports, the competitors are often quite large, though Korean wrestlers tend to be leaner. However, size does not guarantee success in either sport. Although both sports are quite similar, they differ in characteristics as well as values.
The national governing body of the sport in Korea, Korean Ssireum Organisation, has made a claim that ''ssireum'' is characterised as a "peaceful competition focusing on harmony and unison", reflecting the "philosophical outlook of the Koreans".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ssirum.or.kr/korea/kor_ssireum01_eng.php |script-title=ko:한국씨름연맹 홈페이지에 방문하신것을 환영합니다 |access-date=2007-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131084423/http://www.ssirum.or.kr/korea/kor_ssireum01_eng.php |archive-date=2008-01-31 }}</ref>
== Events == === World Championships === The first World Ssireum Championships were held in September 2008 during the Busan World TreX-Games,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2024/05/600_51411.html |title=Ssireum Going Abroad |date=September 7, 2009 |publisher=The Korea Times}}</ref> but these were unofficial competitions. The official first championships were held in Siauliai, Lithuania,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/topic/18609-ssireum-world-championships-in-lithuania/ |title=Ssireum World Championships in Lithuania |publisher=Sumo Forum |date=2009-09-07}}</ref> and a total of 120 wrestlers from 40 countries participated in the two-day event, according to the World Ssireum Federation (WSF). The first Asia Ssireum Championship and fifth World Ssireum Championship took place simultaneously at Thuwana National Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, from September 18 to 23 of 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldssireum.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930072701/http://www.worldssireum.org/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 30, 2009 |title=Official website |publisher=World Ssireum Federation |language=ko |access-date=2021-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldssireum.org/en_01_about/en_about03.php?ptype=en01_03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117065330/http://worldssireum.org/en_01_about/en_about03.php?ptype=en01_03 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=November 17, 2017 |title=Official website |publisher=World Ssireum Federation |access-date=2021-04-11}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |- !Edition !Year !Host city !Men's champions !Women's champions !Ref. |- |align="center"|1 |align="center"|2009 |{{flagicon|LTU}} Šiauliai |{{flagicon|SUI}} Tullio Pachmann (90 kg)<br />{{flagicon|KOR}} Chae Hee-kwan (+90 kg) |''Not held'' |<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.joins.com/article/3773997 |script-title=ko:채희관, 리투아니아 세계씨름 +90kg 우승 |date=2009-09-14 |publisher=JoongAng Ilbo |access-date=2021-04-11 |language=ko}}</ref> |- |align="center"|2 |align="center"|2011 |{{flagicon|KOR}} Busan |{{flagicon|UKR}} Valerii Komar (90 kg)<br />{{flagicon|KOR}} Chae Hee-kwan (130 kg) |{{flagicon|CHN}} Jin Mehua (60 kg)<br />{{flagicon|KOR}} Lim Su-jeong (80 kg) |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldssireum.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=board01&wr_id=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918105526/http://worldssireum.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=board01&wr_id=1 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |title=2011 champions |publisher=World Ssireum Federation |language=ko |access-date=2021-04-11}}</ref> |- |align="center"|3 |align="center"|2012 |{{flagicon|KOR}} Busan |{{flagicon|KOR}} Choi Sang-geun (80 kg)<br />{{flagicon|KOR}} Lee Eol (100 kg)<br />{{flagicon|UKR}} Andriy Nikitchenko (130 kg) |{{flagicon|KOR}} Seo Hyun (65 kg)<br />{{flagicon|KOR}} Lim Su-jeong (80 kg) |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldssireum.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=board01&wr_id=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918094936/http://worldssireum.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=board01&wr_id=2 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |title=2012 champions |publisher=World Ssireum Federation |language=ko |access-date=2021-04-11}}</ref> |- |align="center"|4 |align="center"|2013 |{{flagicon|GER}} Frankfurt |{{flagicon|Georgia}} Davit Karbelashivili (90 kg)<br />{{flagicon|FIN}} Matti Hämäläinen (105 kg) |{{flagicon|UKR}} Viktoriia Sukretna (60 kg)<br />{{flagicon|GER}} Elena Balzer (70 kg) |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldssireum.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=board01&wr_id=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810120454/http://worldssireum.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=board01&wr_id=3 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |title=2013 champions |publisher=World Ssireum Federation |language=ko |access-date=2021-04-11}}</ref> |- |align="center"|5 |align="center"|2015 |{{flagicon|MYA}} Yangon |{{flagicon|CHN}} Yu Zejun (70 kg)<br />{{flagicon|UZB}} Alisher Khudayberdiev (80 kg)<br />{{flagicon|Mongolia}} Uuganbaatar Myagmarsuren (90 kg)<br />{{flagicon|UKR}} Valerii Komar (100 kg)<br />{{flagicon|Mongolia}} Tamir Darmaa (120 kg) |{{flagicon|CHN}} Zhang Yueping (50 kg)<br />{{flagicon|VIE}} Nguyễn Thị Yến Trinh (60 kg)<br />{{flagicon|Mongolia}} Khulan Batbaatar (70 kg) |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldssireum.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=board01&wr_id=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918101627/http://worldssireum.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=board01&wr_id=4 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |title=2015 champions |publisher=World Ssireum Federation |language=ko |access-date=2021-04-11}}</ref> |}
=== Korean Championship (unlimited) === The Korean Ssireum Championships have unlimited weight classes in addition to four weight classes. The champions of this class are called the "Cheonhajangsa". ({{Korean|hangul=천하장사|hanja=天下壯士|labels=no}}; meaning the strongest man under the sky)
<div><li style=display:inline-table;> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !Edition !Year !Champion |- |1 |rowspan="2"|1983|| align="left" |Lee Man-ki |- |2||align="left"|Lee Man-ki (2) |- |3 |rowspan="3"|1984|| align="left" |Jang Ji-young |- |4||align="left"|Lee Man-ki (3) |- |5||align="left"|Lee Jun-hee |- |6 |rowspan="3"|1985|| align="left" |Lee Man-ki (4) |- |7||align="left"|Lee Man-ki (5) |- |8||align="left"|Lee Jun-hee (2) |- |9 |rowspan="3"|1986|| align="left" |Lee Man-ki (6) |- |10||align="left"|Lee Bong-geol |- |11||align="left"|Lee Man-ki (7) |- |12 |rowspan="2"|1987|| align="left" |Lee Bong-geol (2) |- |13||align="left"|Lee Jun-hee (3) |- |14 |rowspan="2"|1988|| align="left" |Lee Man-ki (8) |- |15||align="left"|Lee Man-ki (9) |- |16 |rowspan="2"|1989|| align="left" |Lee Man-ki (10) |- |17||align="left"|Kim Chil-gyu |- |18 |rowspan="3"|1990|| align="left" |Kang Ho-dong |- |19||align="left"|Kang Ho-dong (2) |- |20||align="left"|Kang Ho-dong (3) |} </li> <li style=display:inline-table> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !Edition !Year !Champion |- |21 |rowspan="3"|1991|| align="left" |Hwang Dae-woong |- |22||align="left"|Hwang Dae-woong (2) |- |23||align="left"|Kang Ho-dong (4) |- |24 |rowspan="3"|1992|| align="left" |Kang Ho-dong (5) |- |25||align="left"|Lim Yong-je |- |26||align="left"|Kim Jung-pil |- |27 |rowspan="3"|1993|| align="left" |Kim Jung-pil (2) |- |28||align="left"|Baek Seung-il |- |29||align="left"|Baek Seung-il (2) |- |30 |rowspan="3"|1994|| align="left" |Shin Bong-min |- |31||align="left"|Baek Seung-il (3) |- |32||align="left"|Lee Tae-hyun |- |33 |1995|| align="left" |Kim Kyung-soo |- |34 |1996|| align="left" |Kim Kyung-soo (2) |- |35 |1997|| align="left" |Shin Bong-min (2) |- |36 |1998|| align="left" |Kim Young-hyun |- |37 |1999|| align="left" |Kim Young-hyun (2) |- |38 |2000|| align="left" |Lee Tae-hyun (2) |- |39 |2001|| align="left" |Hwang Kyu-hyun |- |40 |2002|| align="left" |Lee Tae-hyun (3) |} </li> <li style=display:inline-table> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !Edition !Year !Champion |- |41 |2003|| align="left" |Choi Hong-man |- |42 |2004|| align="left" |Kim Young-hyun (3) |- |43 |2008|| align="left" |Yoon Jung-su |- |44 |2009|| align="left" |Hwang Gyu-yeon |- |45 |2011|| align="left" |Lee Seul-ki |- |46 |2012|| align="left" |Yoon Jung-su (2) |- |47 |2013|| align="left" |Lee Seul-ki (2) |- |48 |2014|| align="left" |Jung Kyung-jin |- |49 |2015|| align="left" |Jung Chang-jo |- |50 |2016|| align="left" |Jang Sung-bok |- |51 |2017|| align="left" |Kim Jin |- |52 |2018|| align="left" |Park Jung-seok |- |53 |2019|| align="left" |Jang Sung-woo |- |54 |2020|| align="left" |Jang Sung-woo (2) |- |55 |2021|| align="left" |Kim Chan-young |- |56 |2022|| align="left" |Kim Min-jae |} </li></div>
== Gallery == <gallery> Satba.jpg|''Satba'' (side) Satba 2.jpg|''Satba'' (front) </gallery>
== See also == {{Portal|Sports|South Korea}} * Alysh * Kene (Naga wrestling) * Mongolian wrestling * Pahlavani * Shuai jiao * Sumo * Yağlı güreş
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons}} * {{in lang|ko}} {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111129010527/http://ssireum.sports.or.kr/index.htm Korean Ssireum Association: 대한씨름협회]}} * [http://ynucc.yeungnam.ac.kr/~ssi/eindex.html Korea Ssireum Research Institute] * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070312005232/http://www1.korea-np.co.jp/pk/063rd_issue/98093003.htm Korean Festival]}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xCLYBiwpPw History of Ssireum in Korea] {{UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity/APA}}{{Main world championships}} {{folk wrestling}} {{Grappling}} {{Korean martial arts}} {{National symbols of North Korea}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Ssireum Category:Folk wrestling styles Category:Korean games Category:Sports originating in Korea Category:Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Category:National Intangible Cultural Heritage of South Korea