When people talk about Korean martial arts, the obvious thing being said is taekwondo. But the ssireum Korean style of wrestling is also very popular and predates taekwondo by centuries.
Here’s what you need to know about the Korean style of wrestling known as ssireum. Its long history and shape surpassed this style of wrestling.
What is a serum?
Ssireum Korean wrestling is a popular style of wrestling that has been practiced within the country for centuries. The art of wrestling is also known as “Hangul” and is one of the oldest forms of Korean martial arts.
This style of wrestling dates back to the Goguryeo period. It originated in manual military training and is gradually becoming a popular past.
Even as the Goguryeo period ended, sireum wrestling continued through the Goryeo and Joseon periods. It will become a tradition for this sport that is held during The Korean holiday known as Dano. The fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
Ssireum events will also be held on many other Korean holidays. Such as the third day of the third moon and the Buddhist holiday All Souls’ Day.
Originally, the winners of the competition would receive a valuable bull from the king.
Modern Serum
During the early 20th century, this form of Korean wrestling evolved into a widely practiced grappling art. The first modern hangul wrestling competition was held in 1912 Dansonga Theater in Seoul.
During the 1920s, organizers began referring to the style of wrestling as ssireum. Along with the name change, the Ban Chosun Sirium Federation was established in 1927.
After Japan lost World War II and occupied Korea, Korean wrestling was really able to expand. The Ssireum National Championship competition was first held in 1947 and is still the largest wrestling competition in South Korea.
During twelve national championship events, weight divisions have been added. Giving opportunities to wrestlers of all sizes and providing more competitive matches.
Today, ssireum is more popular than ever and is broadcast nationwide within South Korea. Also instead of a bull, national championship winners are awarded a giant, gold-plated bull statue.
Serum form
The rules and format of ssireum wrestling can vary slightly depending on the specific event or competition. Below are the general rules and format of the traditional ssireum competition.
loops and borders
Ssireum matches take place in a circular sand ring called “jjjangjangi”. A ring of sand and dirt with a diameter of seven meters. The ring is marked with boundary lines and the objective is to force your opponent over the lines or take them down.
wrestling apparel
Wrestlers are only allowed to wear two items of clothing, which are wrestling shorts and a spa cap. The satpa scarf worn around the waist was added during the mid-twentieth century.
It was added because the original form of this style of wrestling also included a similar piece of clothing. Federation bosses wanted to add it to honor the roots and culture of this type of wrestling.
starting position
When the two wrestlers meet in the center of the ring, they begin by getting on their knees. Then each contestant holds the other’s satpa and waits for the lead judge’s signal to go.
Ssireum Technologies
The techniques used in ssireum consist of throws, flights and thrusts. using a combination of these techniques to either take down their opponent or push them beyond boundary lines.
illegal moves
Wrestlers are only allowed to try techniques above their opponent’s waist or use spa. No strikes of any kind or submissions are allowed in the match.
Out of bounds
If any part of a wrestler’s body touches the out-of-bounds markers, their opponent is awarded a point. Then the match resumes from the middle in the neutral position.
ways to win
All forms of wrestling ssireum pass through an arrangement of two out of three cascades. The first wrestler to earn points is declared the winner of the match.
Tournament format
Most major leagues go through a round robin style format. Whoever is undefeated in their weight class is declared the winner of the tournament.
Weight classes of Ssireum
When weight classes were first introduced in 1967, the governing body made four different weight classes. All four of them are named after mountains within South Korea.
weight class | pound | kg |
Tayback (flyweight) | 176 lbs | 80 kg |
Kumgang (Lightweight) | 198 lbs | 90 kg |
Hala (medium weight) | 231 lbs | 105 kg |
Baekdu (heavyweight) | Less than 352 lbs | under 160 kg |
Serum training
Training in the Ssireum is much like the formats of other, more practiced, wrestling styles. The training sessions are hours of grueling technical training followed by freestyle wrestling matches.
Then like freestyle wrestling or Greco-Roman wrestling, cerium wrestlers have strong strength and conditioning programs. Do different types of weight training, running and mixing in circuit training to get the best performance for the competitors.
When you watch a Ssireum wrestling match, this Korean wrestling style is similar to other well-known wrestling styles. Especially the wrestling styles of the Greco-Roman wrestling style and the art of sumo.
Just like in Greco-Roman wrestling, you are only allowed to use a technique from the hips up in Korean wrestling. Then as in Sumo, the ssireum wrestlers are allowed to grab the sashpa of the satpa to control the opponent and bring him down.
There is also a hint of beach wrestling in this style of wrestling as the matches take place inside a sand circle.
Serum’s global expansion
In the past 20 years, this style of Korean wrestling has gradually spread around the world. There are now many ssireum wrestlers throughout Europe and Asia. The World Championships were held in various places in Germany, Lithuania, Myanmar and, of course, South Korea.
Serum also had the honor of being registered in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. It is included in the List of Intangible Cultural Property No. 131.