Wrestling is considered one of the most ancient types of martial arts, and, we mean not some specific kind of it, but wrestling as a whole. Even in ancient historical sources, we find confirmation of these words, and it is simply impossible to determine the exact age of a particular national type of wrestling, with the exception of sambo or judo.
A striking example of this is the national Tuvan wrestling khuresh. It is reliably known that even in the Middle Ages it was very popular among the local population, including among the privileged feudal elite of society. Legends were made about the most successful wrestlers, but the struggle itself, or rather its secrets, were passed down from generation to generation, thanks to which it has retained its vitality to this day.
The rules of khuresh wrestling imply holding fights in the open air according to the Olympic system, that is, elimination. Wrestlers dress in a traditional outfit consisting of light shorts, a shirt and soft national shoes. On the eve of the khuresh competition, all of their participants perform "devigi" - a Tuvan folk dance, after which the drawing procedure takes place.
The fight of khuresh wrestlers is somewhat reminiscent of sumo, at least in that part of it, where the wrestlers grab each other's shoulders and try to make a throw, or force the opponent to touch the ground with their knees. The fight can last several minutes, and I would like to note that the wrestlers must have remarkable strength and excellent endurance, as well as know many techniques. In khuresh wrestling, kicks above the knee, strikes and jerks with the head, clamping both hands of the opponent, and so on are prohibited. The main thing is to unbalance the opponent in order to be able to make a throw, or to make him touch the ground with his knee.
