ποΈββοΈ Ssireum Revival: The Ancient Korean Sport That's Back in the Game
POV: I was at the Seoul Grand Park with my bestie, Soo-jin, when we stumbled upon a group of guys in traditional hanbok (han-bohk) practicing ssireum (ss-ee-rohm), Korea's ancient form of wrestling π€―. We were lowkey curious, so we watched for a bit, and omg, it was literally mesmerizing! The way they used their legs to push and trip each other, while trying to grab onto the belt (kkat) around their waist, was so intense π€―.
Apparently, ssireum has been around for over 2,000 years, originating from the Baekje kingdom π―. It was a popular sport among the nobles, and even the king would participate in the ssireum matches π€΄. But, sadly, it declined in popularity over the centuries. However, in recent years, there's been a baedal (delivery) of sorts, with the sport experiencing a modern revival π.
So, what's behind this ssireum revival? Well, it's partly due to the efforts of the World Ssireum Federation, which aims to promote the sport globally π. They've been hosting international tournaments, and even creating a ssireum league π. It's amazing to see how this ancient sport is being modernized and made more accessible to a wider audience π€©.
Now, if you're interested in trying ssireum yourself, don't worry, you don't need to be a pro athlete πͺ. There are many ssireum clubs and gyms in Seoul that offer classes for beginners π€ΈββοΈ. And, who knows, you might just discover a new passion π.
β¨ Fun Fact:
The word ssireum comes from the Mongolian word "shir", which means "to wrestle" π€ΌββοΈ.
π‘ Pro Tip:
- When watching a ssireum match, pay attention to the kkat (belt) around the waist β it's a crucial part of the sport π€―.
- Try to learn some basic ssireum moves, like the gat (grab) or the jeok (trip) β it's a great way to get a feel for the sport π€ΈββοΈ.
βSsireum is not just a sport, it's a way of life.β β Unknown π€