In the far northeastern region of Russia lies a region referred to as the Republic of Sakha. The region is filled with endless tundra, beautiful forest landscape, and strikingly breathtaking scenery. During ancient times, storytellers traveled from settlement to settlement sharing stories, commentary, and news of the brave, strong, and agile Strongmen (booturs). The storytellers shared news about the winners of the sporting events in the summer festival of Yhyakh.
Through storyteller travels, oral traditions, and history passed from mouth to mouth, legends and folklore of mighty men were shared among the culture and minds of the people. One of the favorite and most popular sporting events was mas (translated from the Yakut language meaning wooden stick) pulling. The sport required simple tools and could be implemented anywhere at any time.
Mas-wrestling was a tool for preparing the young men of the cultures for the physical difficulties and demands of living in an isolated area where survival was the only focus. Strength, speed, agility, endurance, and determination were at the heart of mas-wrestling and it helped to develop boys into men within their culture. Currently, mas-wrestling is a cultural phenomena and even school children compete on the playground during recess.
Mas-wrestling is alive and growing throughout many countries in the world that are excited to share in its rich cultural heritage. Mas-wrestling is the only non-contact martial art. Competitors don't touch one another but rather a stick, and there isn't any striking or throwing your opponent to the ground. Mas-wrestling does work the full body and strong legs, abs, back, and grip are of critical importance in order to achieve victory.
Over eighteen countries worldwide are involved in mas-wrestling. There are national championships and world cups, and the sport is now alive and growing in the United States. The ultimate goal of mas-wrestling is for it to be included in the Olympics, and efforts are strong and focused to make that a possibility.
Earlier this month, I had an opportunity to participate in the US Open Mas-Wrestling Championship as part of the Odd Haugen Strength Classic in Santa Clara, California. The field was very limited, yet it proved to be an exciting, challenging, and fun sport to be involved in. Size doesn’t always matter. This is a sport of skill and precision with the goal of offsetting your opponent and achieving victory.
There are different weight classes for competitors and then an absolute winner for each division (men and women). This means that the lightweight champion can challenge the heavy weight champion to determine the absolute winner. The men’s classes are 198 pounds and under, 199 pounds to 242 pounds, and 242 pounds and up with the possibility of more weight classes being added. The women were divided into two classes—154 pounds (70 kilograms) and under and 155 pounds (70.1 kilograms) and above.
One of the most exciting and suspense-filled events that I've seen in a long time was watching Robert “OB” Oberst wrestle Odd Haugen for the class victory and then move on to wrestle Nikolai Diakonov, multiple lightweight Russian champion, to determine the absolute winner. This is a sport that keeps spectators engaged and sitting on the edges of their seats in suspense. The competitors share the same excitement and anticipation.
My first match to declare the absolute winner ended quickly. After the competition, I had a friendly match with Lacy Okey. Each match I participated in required different strategy and technique, yet each match demanded strength, endurance, and determination to hold on tight to the stick for victory.
Mas-wrestling is sometimes incorporated as a single event in Strongman competitions throughout the world, but it's also a stand-alone competition in its own right. Names like Mikhail Koklyaev, Tarmo Mitt, and Robert Oberst are part of a select group of athletes identified as the strongest mas-wrestlers of the world. As a female athlete, my attention was quickly drawn to my impression of the absence of female representation in the sport on a global scale. I was assured that many women in Russia participate. Russian shot put Olympic bronze medalist Eugeniya Kolodko was quickly referenced as being involved in youth mas-wrestling, which supported her athletic development. I'm proud to be among a small group of American women participating and making a presence known in the sport. I eagerly anticipate the participation of more female athletes for a more diverse competitor field.
Within the United States, mas-wrestling is growing and will soon be in a state near you. January 2013 was the first time that mas-wrestling appeared at a major venue and then once again in July. If you can't wait and want to throw your hat in the ring, Odd and Julia Haugen will once again be holding the All-American Mas-Wrestling Championship as part of the Odd Haugen Strength Classic at the LA FitExpo in Los Angeles on January 25–26, 2014. I look forward to seeing you there.
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