Ssireum is conducted within a circular ring, measuring approximately 7 meters in diameter, which is covered with mounded sand. The two contestants begin the match by kneeling on the sand in a grappling position (
baro japki), each grabbing a belt—known as a
satba ()—which is wrapped around his opponent's waist and thigh. The wrestlers then rise while retaining their hold on the other's 'satba.' The match is awarded to the wrestler who forces the other contestant to touch the ground with any part of his body at knee level or higher. Unlike
sumo, pushing an opponent outside of the ring does not warrant a win, just a restart. Normally, professional
ssireum is contested in a best-out-of-three style match. There are three judges, a chief referee and three sub referees. The chief judge is positioned inside the ring, whereas the sub referees are located on the outside of the ring, one to the right and others to the left. If an unfair judgment is called or the chief referee is unable to render a decision, the sub referees can request a revocation of the decision or a rematch. In addition, they can recommend the cessation of the match when an injury occurs. The referees' decisions throughout the competition are absolute and held in the highest regard, meaning that athletes cannot challenge any judgments declared during the match. Today there are also women
ssireum wrestlers. Women wrestle only among themselves but follow the same rules (except that men are topless whereas women wear tops). There are four weight classes in professional wrestling: flyweight (
Taebaek, 80 kg), lightweight (
Geumgang, 90 kg), middleweight (
Halla, 105 kg), and heavyweight (
Baekdu, under 160 kg), named after the four famous peaks in Korea. Traditionally
ssireum was contested with the top portion of the trousers rolled down to provide grip. The use of "satba" was invented with the birth of professional
ssireum in the mid-20th century. There is a movement to restore this traditional method of grip, in the spirit of maintaining its cultural and traditional roots, but it has met with some resistance as the use of "satba" has become entrenched in the modern form. The professional league is dwindling in popularity and many wrestlers have turned their attention to
mixed martial arts fighting, even though
ssireum involves no striking or submissions of any kind, as a means of making a living.
Choi Hong-man, former champion of
ssireum, enjoyed notable success in the
K-1 scene. Unfortunately, the future of professional
ssireum remains bleak, with only one team remaining. However, it can also be argued that
ssireum is beginning to undergo global expansion as a popular martial arts sport, alongside
taekwondo and
hapkido.
Ssireum has remained largely a national/traditional sport. Physical hits such as slaps and blows are not permitted in
ssireum, though they are in sumo. In both sports, the competitors are often quite large, though Korean wrestlers tend to be leaner. However, size does not guarantee success in either sport. Although both sports are quite similar, they differ in characteristics as well as values. The national governing body of the sport in Korea, Korean Ssireum Organisation, has made a claim that
ssireum is characterised as a "peaceful competition focusing on harmony and unison", reflecting the "philosophical outlook of the Koreans". == Events ==