Sport

In early spring, watch village girls compete in wrestling matches.

Gia Huy • February 3, 2025 19:23

Every year at the beginning of the new year, Nghia Thai commune, Nam Dan district, holds a traditional wrestling competition as part of the Spring Festival. Interestingly, the wrestling arena is not only for men to compete but also a place for women to test their skills with the spirit of "having fun is the main thing".

img_5994(1).jpg — The wrestling festival, held from the 3rd to the 9th day of the Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake) at the Nghia Thai commune stadium (Nam Dan district), attracted a large number of people from the area and neighboring communes to watch and register to try their luck. This is a traditional competition that Nghia Thai commune has maintained and developed for over 20 years. Photo: Gia Huy

2(1).jpg — What makes the wrestling competition in Nghia Thai commune unique compared to other localities is the participation of women. Regardless of age or weight, and without dress code restrictions, anyone who feels they can compete can participate in the wrestling match without prior registration. The competition takes place in a joyful and safe atmosphere, with security and order ensured. Photo: Gia Huy

dfdc549ea5731a2d4362(1).jpg — Women's wrestling matches may not be as tense, exciting, or intense as men's wrestling, but they are no less spectacular, showcasing the agility, grace, and resilience of women. Photo: Gia Huy

Video of women competing in a wrestling match at the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Video by Gia Huy.

img_6185(1).jpg — Simply throwing your opponent into the "back down, belly up" position (back touching the ground, belly facing the sky) is enough to win. Photo: Gia Huy

img_6083(1).jpg — Despite not knowing each other, the wrestlers competed enthusiastically, focusing less on winning and more on having fun. Photo: Gia Huy

img_6013(1).jpg — The prizes prepared by the organizers for the winners were T-shirts and scarves. Photo: Gia Huy

img_6084(1).jpg — Many women from other localities came to watch the wrestling match, but encouraged by the enthusiastic support of the audience, they boldly signed up to try their hand at wrestling and join the fun. Photo: Gia Huy

img_6128(1).jpg — Ms. Nguyen Thi Phu, born in 1989 (on the left) from Dinh Long 1 hamlet, Nam Hung commune, registered to participate in the Nghia Thai wrestling arena for the first time but proved to be a formidable opponent. Photo: Gia Huy

img_6131(1).jpg — With her agility and good physical condition, amateur wrestler Nguyen Thi Phu, making her debut in the ring, quickly defeated her opponent. Photo: Gia Huy

12(1).jpg — Female wrestler Nguyen Thi Phu excitedly shows off the jersey she received as a reward for winning three consecutive matches. Photo: Gia Huy

img_6139(1).jpg — Many spectators in the stadium shook hands, congratulated, and happily gave New Year's lucky money to the winner. Photo: Gia Huy

img_6148(1).jpg — According to referee Nguyen Duy Bao (Nghia Thai commune): Women's wrestling demonstrates the spirit of gender equality, bringing joy and laughter to everyone while contributing to preserving and promoting the traditional sport of the nation. Alongside new faces, there are also some familiar faces from the annual traditional wrestling competitions of Nghia Thai commune, such as female wrestler Dinh Thi Uyen (in white shirt). Photo: Gia Huy

a8b2e2cd8720387e6131(1).jpg — Despite having given birth only 3 months ago, wrestler Dinh Thi Uyen (in white shirt), driven by her passion for the traditional sport and with the support of her husband, still registered to compete. Photo: Gia Huy

Mặc dù mới sinh con 3 tháng nhưng với tinh thần đam mê môn thể thao truyền thống đô vật Đinh Thị Uyên ( áo trắng) vẫn đăng ký vào sới và bằng kinh nghiệm của mình, chị đã lần lượt quật ngã nhiều đối thủ mạnh để giành chiến thắng. Ảnh: Gia Huy — Drawing on her experience from numerous tournaments, wrestler Dinh Thi Uyen successively defeated many strong opponents to secure victories. Photo: Gia Huy

img_6193(1).jpg — The judging panel presented the award to encourage the winner. Photo: Gia Huy

1(1).jpg — According to Ms. Tran Thi Tham, a cultural official in Nghia Thai commune, Nam Dan district: "The women's wrestling arena in Nghia Thai commune not only attracts a large number of local people to watch and cheer, but also draws many women from other communes in Nam Dan district such as Van Dien, Nam Anh, Nam Thanh... to compete." Besides promoting the spirit of martial arts, through this spring wrestling tournament, the locality also selects promising talents to train and send to participate in the wrestling tournament within the framework of the King Mai Hac De Festival, which takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month every year. Photo: Gia Huy

Gia Huy