Exciting traditional wrestling in Thu Le village

Skillful techniques of the wrestlers

Thu Le Village Traditional Wrestling Tournament is an annual cultural and sports activity that is indispensable in every spring of Quang Dien people. The Wrestling Association of the residents of Sia in general and Thu Le village, in particular, was established and has flourished since the time of the Nguyen lords. It was started with the aim of selecting soldiers with good health to join the imperial army. The wrestling festival is also aimed at preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of traditional wrestling in Quang Dien district, and at the same time discovering and fostering talents for the wrestling team of Thua Thien Hue province and the whole country.

The Thu Le Village Wrestling Tournament is restored and held annually on the 6th of the Lunar New Year every year, attracting more and more wrestlers in the district and many other localities to participate in the competition. It has become a healthy and fun event for the people during the spring days of Tet.

This year, due to unfavorable weather, the festival was moved to the 9th day of the Lunar New Year after 3 years of hiatus due to the pandemic. The wrestling hall was located in front of Thu Le communal house - a large, intact ancient communal house that was ordained many times by the Nguyen emperors; and today, it has been recognized as a national architectural and artistic relic.

Before the opening of the Wrestling Festival, the elders and patriarchs of the village conducted the ceremony right in the inner hall of the communal house of Thu Le village. Next, the Wrestling Festival opened with the performance of two professional wrestlers with skillful moves. Finally was the thrilling, attractive and eye-catching competition of the wrestlers.

This year's wrestling event attracted more than 100 male and female wrestlers who are young people with good health from communes and towns in Quang Dien district and surrounding areas. They competed in two contents: traditional and freestyle wrestling.

The tournament applies the principle of national wrestling competition rules. Wrestlers must pass the qualifying round, and win 2 opponents to enter the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, wrestlers must overcome 1 opponent before reaching the final round.

Wrestlers are not allowed to perform life-threatening attacks such as breaking, twisting, locking the joints, attacking with the head, grabbing the hair, attacking the genitals, eyes...; They cannot use tricks but must defeat the opponent by making the opponent's back touches the ground.

Coming to Thu Le wrestling festival, local people and tourists can immerse themselves in the roots of a culturally rich folk festival. It is a fun and healthy event, full of chivalry essence, and stimulating the training of health, courage, confidence and ingenuity for young people. Participants in the wrestling festival also pray for good luck in the new year for themselves and the community; At the same time, it has the meaning of praying for favorable weather, good crops, and happiness for all...

At the traditional wrestling ring of Thu Le village in the early spring of Quy Mao 2023, the wrestlers competed honestly, devoted themselves to the spirit of martial arts, and exchanged and learned from each other.

Some pictures at Thu Le Village Traditional Wrestling Festival:

Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee with the ceremony of handing the whistle and the drum stick to the village elder before the opening of the wrestling festival

The wrestling hall is the communal house yard of Thu Le village with a 100-year tradition

Competing

A move to defeat the opponent

Female wrestlers also have moves that are not inferior to men's

Rewarding wrestlers with good achievements

By THAI BINH - BA TRI