In 'Korea-Japan Super Match,' the South Korean national ssireum team protests unfair rules.
Today (7th), in the second episode of TV Chosun's Chuseok special 'Korea-Japan Super Match: Ssireum vs. Sumo,' Korean ssireum coach Lee Tae-hyun and Japanese sumo coach Nakamura clash over the final rules of the 'Super Match.'
During previous filming, Lee Tae-hyun and Nakamura gathered late at night ahead of the final match to decide the rules for the next day's bout. But they disagreed starting with the ring. Ssireum is held on a sand ring 8 meters in diameter with a sand depth of about 70 cm. But sumo uses a dohyo that is 4.55 meters in diameter made of compacted shallow sand mixed with water, so the venues were different.
In response, Nakamura said, "Sumo is always done on firm ground, so it cannot be done on a sand ring. We cannot show our abilities at all," and strongly insisted on competing on the dohyo. In exchange for giving up the ring, Lee Tae-hyun asked, "I would like sumo's charging and hitting moves not to be used."
But Nakamura rebutted, "The charges are not that strong." He added, "Ssireum wrestlers should not grab the satba." Frustrated by Nakamura's stance to preserve as much of sumo's rules as possible, Lee Tae-hyun said, "There won't be anything that can show ssireum's strengths," showing his displeasure.
With the rules seeming to favor one side from the start, tension mounted. The final format of the 'ssireum vs. sumo' Super Match raises curiosity about how it will ultimately proceed.
Meanwhile, Lee Man-gi, the living history of Korean ssireum who has claimed the champion title 47 times, joined part two as a special commentator. Lee Man-gi said, "I could not miss a historic match," commenting on his feelings. But even Lee Man-gi, who has built courage through countless matches, watched the tense showdown between 'professional' ssireum and 'professional' sumo wrestlers "on the edge of his seat," reportedly saying, "My throat was dry," as he watched the match with sweaty palms. Broadcast tonight (7th) at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] Provided by TV Chosun.
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