By Baek Byung-yeul
Ssireum, a traditional Korean style of wrestling, had been a must-watch event during the holiday season in the 20th century. A professional ssireum league was established in 1983, but ended operations in 2004 because of difficulties securing sponsorships and declining popularity.
In a bid to revamp the sport, the Korea Ssireum Association has been hosting a series of ssireum competitions this year. During September's Chuseok holiday season, the sport's governing body successfully held a ssireum event at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul and garnered some 8,000 spectators over six days.
Encouraged by the positive response, the Korea Ssireum Association will hold the Korea Open Ssireum competition for six days starting Wednesday.
Korea Open Ssireum is comprised of a variety of events, ranging from a "Jangsa (strong man) tournament" featuring domestic and overseas ssireum wrestlers in the under-95 kilogram class, to competitions for college students and women.
The highlight of Korea Open Ssireum will definitely be the unlimited weight class Cheonha Jangsa tournament, which will take place on the final day of the event. The Korea Ssireum Association said it remains to be seen whether last year's winner Jung Chang-jo can defend his title.
Tickets for the ssireum tournament event will be distributed to visitors at no charge at 10 a.m. Jangchung Gymnasium is directly connected to exit 5 of Dongguk University Station on Line 3.
To generate more interest from fans, ssireum legends Lee Man-ki and Kang Ho-dong will sign autographs on Sunday. The six-day-competition also features pop stars such as Cosmic Girls and prize draws every day.
Ssireum, a traditional Korean style of wrestling, had been a must-watch event during the holiday season in the 20th century. A professional ssireum league was established in 1983, but ended operations in 2004 because of difficulties securing sponsorships and declining popularity.
In a bid to revamp the sport, the Korea Ssireum Association has been hosting a series of ssireum competitions this year. During September's Chuseok holiday season, the sport's governing body successfully held a ssireum event at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul and garnered some 8,000 spectators over six days.
Encouraged by the positive response, the Korea Ssireum Association will hold the Korea Open Ssireum competition for six days starting Wednesday.
Korea Open Ssireum is comprised of a variety of events, ranging from a "Jangsa (strong man) tournament" featuring domestic and overseas ssireum wrestlers in the under-95 kilogram class, to competitions for college students and women.
The highlight of Korea Open Ssireum will definitely be the unlimited weight class Cheonha Jangsa tournament, which will take place on the final day of the event. The Korea Ssireum Association said it remains to be seen whether last year's winner Jung Chang-jo can defend his title.
Tickets for the ssireum tournament event will be distributed to visitors at no charge at 10 a.m. Jangchung Gymnasium is directly connected to exit 5 of Dongguk University Station on Line 3.
To generate more interest from fans, ssireum legends Lee Man-ki and Kang Ho-dong will sign autographs on Sunday. The six-day-competition also features pop stars such as Cosmic Girls and prize draws every day.
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