Early Spring, Watching Village Girls Compete in the Wrestling Ring
Gia Huy•DNUM_ADZACZCACF 19:23
Every New Year, in Nghia Thai commune, Nam Dan district, a traditional wrestling tournament takes place within the framework of the Spring festival. Interestingly, the wrestling arena is not only for men to compete but also a place for women to test their strength with the spirit of "having fun is the main thing".
The wrestling festival lasted from the 3rd to the 9th of the Lunar New Year At Ty at the stadium of Nghia Thai commune (Nam Dan district) attracting a large number of people in the area and neighboring communes to watch and register to try their hand. This is a traditional tournament that has been maintained and developed by Nghia Thai commune for over 20 years. Photo: Gia HuyThe unique feature of the wrestling tournament in Nghia Thai commune compared to other localities is the participation of women. Regardless of age, weight, and dress code, anyone who feels they can compete can compete in the wrestling arena without having to register in advance. The wrestling tournament takes place in a joyful, safe atmosphere, with security and order guaranteed. Photo: Gia HuyThe women's matches are not as tense, exciting, or powerful as in the men's wrestling arena, but they are no less special, demonstrating the flexibility, suppleness, and resilience of women. Photo: Gia HuyClip of women competing in a wrestling ring in early Spring. Clip Gia HuyJust knock your opponent down in a "back-to-back" position (back touching the ground, stomach facing up) to win. Photo: Gia HuyAlthough they did not know each other, the wrestlers still competed enthusiastically, not focusing on winning or losing but mainly on the spirit of having fun. Photo: Gia HuyThe prizes the Organizing Committee prepared for the winners were T-shirts and scarves. Photo: Gia HuyMany women from other localities came to watch the wrestling, but with the strong encouragement of the audience, they boldly registered to enter the wrestling ring to try their hand at the fun. Photo: Gia HuyMs. Nguyen Thi Phu, born in 1989 (left) in Dinh Long 1 hamlet, Nam Hung commune, registered for the first time to participate in Nghia Thai wrestling arena but proved to be a strong opponent. Photo: Gia HuyWith her flexibility and good physical condition, amateur wrestler Nguyen Thi Phu, who was fighting for the first time, quickly defeated her opponent. Photo: Gia HuyFemale wrestler Nguyen Thi Phu excitedly shows off the award shirt for winning 3 consecutive matches. Photo: Gia HuyMany spectators on the field shook hands to congratulate and happily gave lucky money to the winner. Photo: Gia HuyAccording to referee Nguyen Duy Bao (Nghia Thai commune): The women's wrestling ring demonstrates the spirit of gender equality, bringing joy and laughter to everyone, while contributing to preserving and promoting the nation's traditional sport. Besides the new faces, there are also some familiar faces with the annual traditional wrestling tournaments of Nghia Thai commune, typically female wrestler Dinh Thi Uyen (white shirt). Photo: Gia HuyAlthough she just gave birth 3 months ago, with her passion for traditional sports and her husband's support, wrestler Dinh Thi Uyen (white shirt) still registered to compete in the ring. Photo: Gia HuyWith experience from participating in many tournaments, wrestler Dinh Thi Uyen has defeated many strong opponents to win. Photo: Gia HuyThe referee team awarded prizes to encourage the winner. Photo: Gia HuyAccording to Ms. Tran Thi Tham - Cultural Officer of Nghia Thai Commune, Nam Dan District: "The wrestling arena for women in Nghia Thai Commune not only attracts a large number of local people to watch and cheer, but also attracts many women from other communes in Nam Dan District such as Van Dien, Nam Anh, Nam Thanh... to compete". In addition to promoting the spirit of martial arts, through the early spring wrestling tournament, the locality also selects "seeds" to nurture and send to participate in the wrestling tournament within the framework of the Mai Hac De King Festival held on the full moon day of the first lunar month every year. Photo: Gia Huy