tsahka

Tsahka is a traditional form of Mongolian wrestling, also known as Bökh. It is one of the country's three national sports, alongside archery and horse racing. Tsahka is practiced by men and is a key element of the Naadam festival, a summer celebration held annually in Mongolia. The sport's origins are ancient, with depictions found in historical artifacts and oral traditions suggesting its practice for centuries.

The objective in Tsahka is to make your opponent touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet or hands. Wrestlers wear distinctive attire consisting of a tight-fitting vest (zodog), briefs (shuudag), and boots (gutal). There are no weight classes, and matches can be won by various techniques, including trips, throws, and pushes. The rules are simple, and the focus is on strength, skill, and strategic maneuvering. Unlike some other wrestling styles, there is no pinning or submission involved. Victories are celebrated with symbolic gestures, and the winner is often awarded honorific titles. Tsahka plays a significant role in Mongolian culture, embodying physical prowess, discipline, and national pride.