Sport of the Week – Mas Wrestling

Sport of the Week – Mas Wrestling - with John Hartley and Geoff Peterfy 0:00 7:19

An up and coming sport created by the Vikings and Yakuts, Mas Wrestling is a pretty simple concept. There is a stick. You and your opponent battle for the stick. That’s the gist. “Mas” translates directly to “wooden stick” in the Yakut language, so we’re talking about wooden stick wrestling, which goes by other names depending on what part of the world you’re in.

To start, opponents sit with a plank between their feet. So feet to feet, with a board in between, simple. From there you have a coin flip, decide on hand position (inside or outside) and you’re ready to go. Best two of three with some extra rules thrown in.

A referee is around to make sure you don’t twist the stick over 90 degrees and that you are using the board properly.

Mas-Wrestling takes place all over the world. The US has only recently started participating, starting in 1999 when it’s popularity began to rise. The first United States Open tournament was held in June 2013. The sport is also big in it’s home of Asia and also in Europe.

Anyone can participate and there are weight classes to make sure you’re not completely outmatched.

MEN’s weight categories are -60kg (< 132lbs), 70 kg, 80kg, 90kg, 105kg, 125kg, and 125kg+ (275 lbs);

WOMEN’s weight categories are -55kg (< 120), 65kg, 75kg, and 75kg+ (165)

Even in cases where a competitor is outmatched, leverage can be used to win. As long as that stick doesn’t rotate more than 90 degrees, competitors can maneuver the length of the board to try and throw their opponent off. Just because your muscles are bit does not assure you a victory.

Mas wrestling was especially popular with sailors because it didn’t take up much space, was easy to participate on the deck of a boat and ultimately proved who the strongest man on the ship was.

The last World Championship was in Columbus earlier this year at the Arnold Classic.

Geoff has participated in mas wrestling before, while John has not. Keep an eye out for a mas wrestling league coming soon to your home town, I mean why not? Looks like good exercise.