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Bökh

The wrestling of the steppe.

Mongolian wrestling, one of the "three manly games" of the Naadam festival. A wrestler loses when his back, knee or elbow touches the ground.

Fact file

Country
Mongolia
Type
Grappling & wrestling
Sources: UNESCO — Naadam · Encyclopaedia Britannica

History

Bökh is Mongolian wrestling and one of the "three manly games" of the Naadam festival, with archery and horse racing. Traditionally there are no weight classes and no time limit: a bout ends when a wrestler touches the ground with his back, knee or elbow.

Wrestlers wear an open-chested jacket (zodog), briefs (shuudag) and leather boots. Champions earn titles such as Falcon, Elephant, Lion and, the highest, Titan (Avarga).