In our travels, we have come across a large handful of Fulbright Scholars: film makers, writers, dancers, and many teachers. However, we have yet to come across a sports-based Fulbrighter.
As the college school year is coming to a conclusion, it would be great to see student athletes, coaches, or other educators be a part of this State Department program.
For those of you who read our site, follow the Wrestling Roots’ twitter/tumblr/facebook page know, WRESTLING IS EVERYWHERE. It would be great …

Women’s Senegalese Wrestling and the Real Victims of the IOC
T.R. Foley
For centuries female wrestlers in Senegal have competed in seasonal wrestling matches as a way to help create good fortune for the annual rice crop. However, with the expansion of Olympic opportunities for women in wrestling the nation’s most-talented female wrestlers have become accustomed to using the sport as a vessel for recognition on the international stage and fighting for equal rights at home. It’s an opportunity that gives Senegalese women hope for …

The same thing that happens when you don’t protect at-risk sports. They go extinct.
The Selk’nam were the most powerful warring tribe on the islands named  Tierra del Fuego by Magellan and the explorers who first saw plumes of smoke coming from encampments off the coast of Chile in 1520.
Lucas Bridges, wrote that Selk’nam wrestling involved holding the arms of one’s opponent and attempting to throw him to the ground while never breaking the hold, fighting until one or the other …

As the wrestling world comes to grips with the impact of the IOC’s decision, several media members around the world have started to tell the stories of wrestlers in their home countries whose lives will be adversely affected by the decision.
No country has more to lose than Iran. In the following documentary we get to watch first hand as their wrestlers strive to better the position and standing of their family through sport. The sport means something to the people, …

Turkish Wrestling is probably the most misunderstood traditional style in the world. Bodies are covered in oil and the outfit is just a bare chest and leather pants. Add-in rules that necessitate a liberal definition of personal space and you can see how some prejudices arise.
Some help for those of you who want a little insight.
(The term) “kispet,” were first adopted by Muslim wrestlers for reasons of modesty. Weighing about 12 kilograms, they are leather, custom made for the athlete and have …

The title of this article could have also read “World’s Largest Traditional Wrestling League Holds National Tournament”
This week, the NCAA — the self-righteous governing body of amateur  collegiate sports in America — is hosting the 82nd Annual NCAA Wrestling Tournament in St. Louis Missouri. The tournament is being covered by all types of national media, including the worldwide leader in sports (ESPN) who will broadcast every round for the first time in tournament history.
Of course this is a significant traditional wrestling …

Wrestling Roots’ most intrepid traveler has once again logged a unique wrestling experience and shared his experience with our readers. Slideshow of photos are at the bottom of the post — don’t miss out and be sure to comment!
-Tim
Before I try to put my thoughts into words, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Ansuia Prasad for putting up with me, bringing me all over town, and buying me a half-dozen chai teas that are keeping me …

High school and college wrestling seasons around the country are coming to an end over the next few weeks. To celebrate I’ve decided to share links to some of the best photographers in amateur wrestling. Enjoy the photos and be sure to leave a comment for any of the photographers you think did a particularly nice job.
Sorry for the lack of posts, I’ve been busy putting together a big announcement, so be sure to check back this week for more …

Mark L. recently entered a traditional Ethiopian wrestling tournament in Addis Ababa. The following recounts his adventure and thoughts on the style and what it means to the culture. Mark is the associate director of the Wrestling Roots Foundation.
Enjoy! — Tim
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In the West, when you greet someone, you shake hands.  In the Far East, the custom is to give a bow when greeting.  Living at the in-between point of the East and the West, Ethiopia, the greeting is sort of …

India claims one of the largest and most socially influential traditional wrestling styles in the world. Wrestling takes place in softened earth, where a ghee mixture added to the soil. The wrestlers intent on studying – and at some point competing in front of thousands of fans – are trained by gurus (coaches) in akharas (local wrestling schools) where the wrestlers wake up as early as 4 AM for conditioning work. Wrestlers are also asked to restrict their diets and …