Picture: Two traditional Swiss wrestlers in action at a competition.
When I was a kid the coolest martial arts was Karate. It probably had to do with the movie "Karate Kid". As time moved on Kung Fu became popular and then Thai Boxing. The recent trend in martial arts is ultimate fighting. Basically everything is allowed except killing your opponent. It is also known as mixed martial arts and it combines techniques from boxing, thai boxing, ju-jitsu and wrestling. With the ongoing trends in exotic martial arts, Switzerland has cultivated its own version of wrestling, also known as "Schwingen" or swinging. Two opponents face each other on a small round patch covered with wood shavings. Both of them wear sturdy linen pants and they have to hold on to their opponent's pants at the beginning. The winner is the person who can wrestle, lift or throw his opponent on to his back so that both the shoulder blades touch the ground. Most bouts are fast and furious and reminds me a bit of Sumo wrestling. Only that the Swiss wrestlers are "smaller" with weights up to 110kg.
Picture: Besides good technique poor strength is also required as the athletes often weigh over 100kg.
Pictures: Trophies on display.
Picture: The main prices are cows and horses (no kidding).
Recent Comments