The following information was recorded through verbal communication with Mr. Gyuhang Lee . The initial televised ssireum broadcast was conducted by Mr. Lee in 1972 on Korean Broadcasting Service (KBS) and Mr. Lee would go on to MC for the sport over the next 30 years. Mr. Lee felt that ssireum would be a hit with Korean audiences and conferred with leading ssireum expert Mr. Taeseong Kim to help convince KBS producer Mr. Jaegil Kim to make ssireum broadcasts part of the televised sports lineup. An arrangement was struck and over the next nine years ssireum was irregularly broadcast on KBS as no formal playing season had yet been established. During this time the ensuing desire to regularly manage and promote competitions gave birth to the first professional ssireum association in Korea founded in 1981 by Mr. Haesu Kim, Mr. Kim Taeseong, and Mr. Jaegil Kim, and Mr. Kim Dongsu with the backing of KBS.
n April, 1982 the Folk Ssireum Committee began to organize. In March, 1983 they launched their first formal event. Then on April 14th, 1983 they sponsored the first Universal Championship which was held at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul. The event drew an enormous crowd of spectators and was reported to be the most widely viewed sporting event ever in Korea though the television ratings data have been lost to time. After this event the nation was abuzz with talk about ssireum and the popularity of the sport rose considerably.
- Korean Ssireum Association
- Folk Ssireum Committee
- Korean Ssireum Federation
- Korean University Ssireum Federation
- Korean Ssireum Association
- In 1927 the Joseon Ssireum Association was formed for the purpose of systematically developing ssireum into a sport. Prior to Korea’s colonial liberation ssireum played an important role in unifying people against Japanese oppression. After national liberation in 1946 the Joseon Ssireum Association changed its name to the Korean Ssireum Association. The objective of the Korean Ssireum Association was the restoration of traditional Korean sports and promotion of physical activity through ssireum by consolidating the various sporting clubs and players and thus producing a higher quality sport. They divided their enterprises into ten categories: 1) establishing basic rules and guidelines for ssireum (through collaboration with the Korean Amateur Sports Association); 2) hosting and participating in international tournaments; 3) creating branch offices and administering other ssireum associations; 5) organizing and supervising ssireum competitions; 6) researching and developing ssireum playing skills; 7) recruiting and training ssireum players; 8) studying competition equipment and administration; 9) correcting premature competition statistics; and 10) propaganda for the benefit of ssireum. The association also sought to capitalize on the globalization of Korea by promoting ssireum abroad in hopes of internationalizing it. They also sought to recognize ssireum among Korean populations living abroad in order to encourage their participation. Lastly, the association simplified ssireum competition into five levels (i.e. elementary school, middle school, high school, university, and semi-pro), seven weight divisions (see Table 1), and ten annual competitions (see Table 2).
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Korean Ssireum Association Weight Divisions Korean Ssireum Association Weight Divisions Elementary
SchoolMiddle School High
SchoolUniversity
& Semi-ProGyeongjang 40kg or less 60kg or less 70kg or less 75kg or less Sojang 45kg or less 65kg or less 75kg or less 80kg or less Cheongjang 50kg or less 70kg or less 80kg or less 85kg or less Yongjang 55kg or less 75kg or less 85kg or less 90kg or less Yongsa 60kg or less 80kg or less 90kg or less 95kg or less Yeoksa 70kg or less 90kg or less 100kg or less 105kg or less Jangsa 70kg or more 9kg or more 100kg or more 105kg or more Note: Players may compete in their own weight division or higher, but they may not compete in weight divisions lower than their own. Teams are limited to one player and one substitute for each weight division, but teams are not required to fill all divisions -
Korean Ssireum Association Annual Competitions Korean Ssireum Association Annual Competitions Order Name Period Location 1st Association Presidential National Championship Tournament April Variable 2nd National City and State Rivalry Competition May Variable 3rd National Junior Sports Festival June Variable 4th National Wrestlers’ Crown Championship June Variable 5th Korean Presidential National Championship July Variable 6th Seoul City Korean Presidential National Championship August Variable 7th Jinlo Company Cup Competition September Variable 8th Kyobo Life Insurance Cup National Children’s Competition September Variable 9th National Sports Festival October Variable 10th Korean Presidential National Championship Cup October Variable Note: Table drawn from 1999 data. - These days the status of ssireum is grim. No pro-teams or wrestling super-stars exist. People are losing interest in ssireum. There are fewer and fewer school teams. Universities are grappling with the costs of maintaining teams. And no dedicated “ssireum only” training facilities exist. But these days the Korean Ssireum Association recently elected its 39th president, Mr. Choi Taejeong, on November 30, 2009 and instituted a special committee for addressing the current crisis in the sport. This committee is divided into six parts according to task: 1) competition skill research; 2) educational training; 3) rank licensing; 4) cooperative exchange; 5) policy administration; and 6) promotion and scholarship. Their objective is to adapt and develop ssireum in order to re-popularize the sport in Korea and abroad. A quarterly newsletter, Ssireum Foundation, was founded in August, 2009 for the purpose of recording ssireum history and promoting the sport.
- Folk Ssireum Committee
- As mentioned above the first Folk Ssireum Committee, formed in 1982, eventually became the Korean Ssireum Federation around 1991. In 2005 the Korean Ssireum Federation was unable to hold any strong competitions because of the reduced number of pro-teams; in 2006 competition participation was opened to semi-pro teams. However, this created a conflict as semi-pro teams fall under the auspice of the Korean Ssireum Association and not the Korean Ssireum Federation. Thus in January, 2007 the Korean Ssireum Association formed the second Folk Ssireum Committee headed by Mr. Changsik Choi, who was also the Korean Ssireum Association president at the time. In response, the Korean Ssireum Federation sought to legally bar the new Folk Ssireum Committee from using their existing weight division format (e.g. Baekdu, Hanla, Geumgang, and Taebaek). No decision was ever reached as Mr. Choi opted to change the names of the weight divisions. Baekdu became Blue Dragon, Hanla became White Tiger, Geumgang became Colossus (elephant), and Taebaek became White Horse. In 2007 the Folk Ssireum Committee assumed control of the Lunar New Year Championship which up until then was administered by the Korean Ssireum Federation. In June of 2007 the Folk Ssireum Committee held the Dangjin Championship (in Dangjin) and the Fall Harvest Championship in September the same year. On October 20th, 2008 the Hyeondae Heavy Industries Championship seceded from the Korean Ssireum Federation to the Folk Ssireum Committee. After that the Korean Ssireum Federation had no competitions under its control and was essentially replaced by the Folk Ssireum Committee. Currently the Korean Ssireum Federation no longer exists and the operations of the Folk Ssireum Committee have been subsumed by its parent, the Korean Ssireum Association.
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Weight Division Changes Weight Division Changes Weight Federation Name Committee Name Current Name 80kg and below Taebaek White Horse Taebaek 80.1kg to 90.0kg Geumgang Colossus (Elephant) Geumgang 90.1kg to 105.0kg Hanla White Tiger Hanla 105.1kg and above Baekdu Blue Dragon Baekdu Note: Divisions are under discussion for possible revision again as recently as February 2010
- Korean Ssireum Federation
- In September, 1983 the Folk Ssireum Committee combines with the Korean Ssireum Associations for the purpose of promoting professional ssireum. In 1985 the Korean Ssireum Association decides to make the Folk Ssireum Committee independent and this takes place in 1986. In 1990 the Korean Ssireum Association divides into two parts and in January and February of 1991 the Korean Ssireum Association takes control of and replaces the Folk Ssireum Committee. Around the same time the Korean Folk Ssireum Association is formed and quickly renamed the Korean Ssireum Federation. The KSF objective is to use ssireum for the preservation of ethnic Korean heritage, enhancement of national unity, promotion of physical activity, and elevation of Korean sports internationally. The KSF opened an annual series of competitions including Lunar New Year Championship (once a year), Fall Harvest Championship (once a year), Regular Championship (five times a year), Universal Championship (once a year), and occasional special championships (e.g. international). Except for the Universal Championship every weight division receives one champion and this player would receive approximately $10,000. The Universal Championship combined the Geumgang and Hanla weight divisions to determine a single champion who would receive approximately $30,000. At the end of a season at the Universal Championship the 16 top-ranked players for the season along with an additional 16 coach-nominated players (two from each team) would compete in a tournament for the title of Grand Champion and a cash prize of approximately $100,000. The KSF operated from 1991 until its demise around 2007. As mentioned above the competition had weakened considerably by 2005 and this lead them to open up competition to semi-pro teams in 2006 with the Korean Ssireum Association’s support. But by 2007 the KSA had wrested control of nearly all of the Federation’s resources to the point where by 2008 there was simply no work left the federation could perform. The work of the Federation was subsumed by the KSA’s Folk Ssireum Committee and by 2009 the KSA dissolved the Folk Ssireum Committee and assumed operation of all of the Federation’s previous work itself.
- In September, 1983 the Folk Ssireum Committee combines with the Korean Ssireum Associations for the purpose of promoting professional ssireum. In 1985 the Korean Ssireum Association decides to make the Folk Ssireum Committee independent and this takes place in 1986. In 1990 the Korean Ssireum Association divides into two parts and in January and February of 1991 the Korean Ssireum Association takes control of and replaces the Folk Ssireum Committee. Around the same time the Korean Folk Ssireum Association is formed and quickly renamed the Korean Ssireum Federation. The KSF objective is to use ssireum for the preservation of ethnic Korean heritage, enhancement of national unity, promotion of physical activity, and elevation of Korean sports internationally. The KSF opened an annual series of competitions including Lunar New Year Championship (once a year), Fall Harvest Championship (once a year), Regular Championship (five times a year), Universal Championship (once a year), and occasional special championships (e.g. international). Except for the Universal Championship every weight division receives one champion and this player would receive approximately $10,000. The Universal Championship combined the Geumgang and Hanla weight divisions to determine a single champion who would receive approximately $30,000. At the end of a season at the Universal Championship the 16 top-ranked players for the season along with an additional 16 coach-nominated players (two from each team) would compete in a tournament for the title of Grand Champion and a cash prize of approximately $100,000. The KSF operated from 1991 until its demise around 2007. As mentioned above the competition had weakened considerably by 2005 and this lead them to open up competition to semi-pro teams in 2006 with the Korean Ssireum Association’s support. But by 2007 the KSA had wrested control of nearly all of the Federation’s resources to the point where by 2008 there was simply no work left the federation could perform. The work of the Federation was subsumed by the KSA’s Folk Ssireum Committee and by 2009 the KSA dissolved the Folk Ssireum Committee and assumed operation of all of the Federation’s previous work itself.
- Korean University Ssireum Federation
- In March, 2003 the Korean University Ssireum Federation was formed with the objective of preserving Korea’s traditional mentality, developing Korean people’s health, and expanding the base of ssireum. These days the University Federation has almost 20 teams and more than 150 players. The goal of the University Federation is to invigorate ssireum in the wake of waning interest brought about by the collapse of the professional league. In pursuit of this goal the University Federation changed competition rules and formed a winter season that runs from November to February (six competitions with a grand finale individual and team championship). Additionally, the University Federation attempts to maintain viewership through interviews with players and coaches during the competitions televised on MBC-ESPN. The University Federation developed a safer and more effective style of inflated mat to elevate and surround the sand playing arena. The University Federation also attempts to maintain interest by reducing the amount of time players spend jockeying for advantageous handgrips when setting up a round through improved coach and player education. Efforts have also been made to improve the quality and display of skill among players in attempts to improve audience excitement. Highlighting star players and creating fan clubs are two other methods the University Federation has used to try to better connect with audiences. MBC-ESPN ssireum competition viewership ratings are comparable to other sports and indicate that the University Federation’s efforts to draw in audiences are working. The first president of the University Federation was Mr. Seongryul Kim, a professor from Gyeongnam University who passed away in 2004 and has since had a special annual competition established in his honor. The second president was Mr. Byeongju Nam, owner of Boguk Construction, and held the position from April, 2004 to January, 2009. The third president was Mr. Kiyeong Eum started in July, 2009 and is still currently in the position working to continuously develop the University Federation.
- In March, 2003 the Korean University Ssireum Federation was formed with the objective of preserving Korea’s traditional mentality, developing Korean people’s health, and expanding the base of ssireum. These days the University Federation has almost 20 teams and more than 150 players. The goal of the University Federation is to invigorate ssireum in the wake of waning interest brought about by the collapse of the professional league. In pursuit of this goal the University Federation changed competition rules and formed a winter season that runs from November to February (six competitions with a grand finale individual and team championship). Additionally, the University Federation attempts to maintain viewership through interviews with players and coaches during the competitions televised on MBC-ESPN. The University Federation developed a safer and more effective style of inflated mat to elevate and surround the sand playing arena. The University Federation also attempts to maintain interest by reducing the amount of time players spend jockeying for advantageous handgrips when setting up a round through improved coach and player education. Efforts have also been made to improve the quality and display of skill among players in attempts to improve audience excitement. Highlighting star players and creating fan clubs are two other methods the University Federation has used to try to better connect with audiences. MBC-ESPN ssireum competition viewership ratings are comparable to other sports and indicate that the University Federation’s efforts to draw in audiences are working. The first president of the University Federation was Mr. Seongryul Kim, a professor from Gyeongnam University who passed away in 2004 and has since had a special annual competition established in his honor. The second president was Mr. Byeongju Nam, owner of Boguk Construction, and held the position from April, 2004 to January, 2009. The third president was Mr. Kiyeong Eum started in July, 2009 and is still currently in the position working to continuously develop the University Federation.
- 1927 Joseon Ssireum is formed
- 1946 Joseon Ssireum become KSA
- 1972 First televised competition
- 1981
- 1982 Folk Ssireum Committee formed.
- 1983.9 Folk Ssireum Committee and Korean Ssireum Association combine
- 1985.12 Folk Ssireum Committee becomes independent as per the KSA
- 1986 Folk Ssireum Committee rebooted anew
- 1990.12 KSA decides to divide into two parts and the KSA
- 1991.01 Folk Ssireum Committee closes because it is replaced by the
- 1991.02 Korean Folk Ssireum Association is formed and takes control of the former Folk Ssireum Committee
- 1991. Korean Folk Ssireum Association is formed and quickly renamed the Korean Ssireum Federation
- 2006.10 KSA creates a new Folk Ssireum Committee
- 2007 The FSC opens
- 2009.4 The FSC closes again
- 2010 All competitions are controlled by the KSA
[ Available from Korea Ssireum Research Institute. ( Website : http://ynucc.yeungnam.ac.kr/~ssi/ ) ]
