Korean traditional sport introduced to Europe... Dispatch of Korea Ssireum Association to Spain successful

*This content was translated by AI.

The traditional Korean sport of ssireum heated up the beaches of the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory in Europe, proving its potential for globalization.

On the 13th, the Korea Ssireum Association announced via press release that the ssireum demonstration team successfully concluded ssireum demonstration performances and a friendly exchange match with Lucha Canaria, the traditional sport of the Canary Islands, in Las Palmas, Spain. This exchange was realized based on the active support of former Tenerife Korean Community President Shin Hyun-seung and his role as a local bridge.

The ssireum demonstration team showcased various ssireum techniques and actual matches at Las Canteras Beach, introducing the charm of traditional Korean ssireum to local spectators. They then proceeded with a full-scale friendly exchange match with the Lucha Canaria team.

In this exchange match, 15 ssireum athletes, including 12 male and 3 female players, formed one team and competed in a team event. The matches were conducted by applying the rules of each sport separately. Each athlete competed in the first round under Lucha Canaria rules and the second round under ssireum rules.

Starting with Lee Jae-ha (Ansan City Hall)'s victory in the Lucha Canaria match, Kim Sung-beom (Taean County Office), Kim Jun-tae, and Jeong Min-gung (both from Jeungpyeong County Office) and Park Min-kyo (Yongin Special City Hall) also secured victories under Lucha Canaria rules, boosting the atmosphere. In particular, the final 150kg class featured a showdown between Alberto Daniel (Spain), who won the World Special Champion title at the 2024 Cheonhajangsa Ssireum Festival, and Yu Gyeong-jun (Yeongwol County Office), drawing loud cheers from the spectators.

Coach Jang Deok-je (Yongin Special City Hall), who led the team, said, "It was truly joyful for me as a coach to see the athletes enjoying the match amidst the cheers of many spectators," and added, "I hope there will be more days when our ssireum can compete in front of larger audiences with such intense energy."

Representative Choi Jeong-man (Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Team) stated, "We prepared for the match with the mindset of representing Korean ssireum," and shared, "It was very exciting for all our athletes to compete amidst the cheers of many spectators. It was meaningful to show ssireum to the Korean residents and local residents who visited the venue, and it was an even more significant time as we could directly experience each other's traditional sports with the Lucha Canaria athletes."

Based on the intense interest and response regarding ssireum confirmed locally through this exchange, the Korea Ssireum Association plans to continue ongoing exchanges with Lucha Canaria and introduce the charm of traditional Korean ssireum to the world.

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*This content was translated by AI.