24. National sport in Mongolia
Mongolian wrestling is the most popular national sport and vital cultural piece for all
Mongolians around the world. When a male child is born in a family, Mongolians wish him to become
a wrestler. Wrestling is the most important of the Mongolian culture’s historic “Three Manly Skills”
that also include horse racing and archery. Great Khaan Chingis considered wrestling to be an important
way to keep his army in good physical shape and combat ready.
Wrestling: hundreds of wrestlers from different cities and provinces of the country to take part
in the national Day Wrestling Competition. The Competition is held over many different rounds, and
its length and the number of rounds depend on the number of participants, of which there are usually
512 or 1024. The Competition also attracts fans from many different quarters, including the most remote
areas. While the losers drop out of the Competition, the winners can gain different titles, depending on
the number of victories they win. For example, the winner of the fifth round receives the honorary titles
of Nachin /Falcon/, the winner of the sixth round-Khartsaga /Hawk/ the winner of the seventh-Zaan
/Elephant/, the winner of the eighth round-Garid /Garuda/ and the winners of the ninth and tenth rounds
receive the title of Arslan /Lion/. The wrestler who becomes the absolute champion twice is awarded
the title of Avarga /Titan/. Every subsequent victory at the National Naadam adds an epithet to his
Avarga title, such as ‘Invincible Titan’ or Invincible Titan to be remembered by all’, and so on. There
are a variety of tricks in Mongolian wrestling, which require not only strength but also perfect technique.
The traditional style of wrestling has its own long standing ritual and dress.
Each wrestler wears ornamental knee boots with upturned toes, tight short trunks and an openfronted, long sleeved vest of silk. With his arms imitating the flight of a bird, the wrestler performs the
eagle’s dance which symbolizes power and invincibility.
Horse racing: The second element of the three manly games is horse racing. Originally, adult
took part in this competition, and most popular contests were in riding previously unbroken horses.
Later, in long distance races, the adults were replaced by children aged from 6-10 years old, who quickly
master the art of riding. The racing can be held on saddled or unsaddled horses. Depending on the age
of horses, distances vary from 15 to 30 kilometers. All participants start the race together. Before going
to the starting line, the riders-both boys and girls from circles, sing the ancient melody of Giingoo, to
cheer on the riders and horses. The five horses which come in first are led to the winners stand and are
arranged in order of their places. A tradition libation is performed by pouring airag/mare’s milk/ over
the heads and croups of the horses, and the riders are presented with prizes. The winning horses are
called the “airag’s five”.
Archery: the third element of the national games is archery, which has been perfected over the
centuries. Sharpshooters are capable of hitting the head of marmot from a distance of 100 meters. The
archers also shoot at small, round leather targets placed at a distance of 60 to 100 meters from them.
The archers wear a special glove on the thumb and index finger on the right hand and wrap the left arm
up to the elbow on soft belts. The arrows have blunt boneheads. The referees, lined up next to the
targets, mark each hit. When the target is hit they raise their hands and move around the spot singing a
short song of praise. The best archer receives the title of Mergen /Marksman/.
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A vital cultural piece – соёлын маш чухал хэсэг
Length and the number of rounds – даваа болон үргэлжлэх хугацаа(бөх)
to gain different titles – цол нэмэх
Subsequent victory – наадмын түрүү дахин авах үед
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to add an epithet – чимэг нэмэгдэх
A variety of tricks – янз бүрийн мэх
Knee boots with upturned toes – урт түрийтэй ээтэн гутал
tight short trunks – шуудаг
An open fronted, long sleeved vest of silk – задгай энгэртэй зодог
to imitate the flight of a bird – шувууны дэвэлтийг дуурайх
Power and invincibility – хүч чадал, мятаршгүй байдал
Unbroken horses – эмнэг морь
Unsaddled horses – зайдан морь
to cheer on the riders and horses – морь, морьны хүүхдүүдийг дэмжих
A traditional libation – уламжлалт өргөл
The heads and croupes of the horses – морины толгой болон хондлой
The thumb and index – эрхий ба долоовор хуруу
To have blunt boneheads – мохоо ясан булцуутай
The target- бай
Song of praise – магтаал
Answer the questions
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What is the national sport of Mongolia?
How many wrestlers usually take part in Naadam festival?
How many rounds does the wrestling have?
Does the Mongolian wrestling have a weight and time limit?
What are the titles of wrestlers?
What is the outfit for wrestlers?
What kind of dance do the wrestlers perform?
Do Mongolians honor the wrestlers?
Do you watch wrestling?
What is the distance for horse racing?
Who are the riders of the horse racing?
How do you call the winning horses?
What is the prize for winning horses?
What is the archery?
What is the distance for shooting?
What happens when the target is hit?
What is the best archer’s title?