We will set increasingly global goals for promoting mas-wrestling in Canada
The cowboy parade with indigenous people riding on mustangs and wagons hitched to horse-drawn fours became a precursor to our championships and gave them a special ethnic color. As soon as the parade ended, the sounds of the Yakut khomus — spread waves around, attracting the attention of the audience. The opening ceremony was held with deep respect for the culture of the homeland of the sport — the Republic of Sakha. The mas- wrestling area was decorated in the traditional style of Tusulge — colorful salama. Thanks to Dajana Makarova and her girlfriend Alex for their help in decorating. The Sakha diaspora in Calgary was vividly represented by the Baishev couple. Lena and Nikita amazed everyone present with their colorful national costumes richly decorated with silver. For the Yakut blessing ceremony - algys at the invitation of the Canadian side fr om Vancouver, spouses Nadezhda and Vladimir Andreyev arrived for one day. Nadezhda worked in Yakutia as the head of the "Romashka" kindergarten for ten years and led the construction of the "Ostuoruyа Doyduta" branch, is an excellent of the republic's education system, and a recipient of the grant "Best Young Leader of an Educational Institution of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)," and has been awarded a badge for merits in the Yakut City Duma.
As you know, the Yakut rite algys has different types, including as initiation into warriors. In our case, Nadezhda asked upper deities - aiyy to bless a good undertaking – the confrontation of representatives of different countries in fair fights on the mas-wrestling platform and their unity around sports. The listeners, freezing their breath, listened to an unfamiliar speech and tried to guess by the intonation and gestures, what the story is about. A little later, Evgenia Sidorova told everyone why the Sakha conducts such ritual actions. In the center of the platform, the audience could see the traditional Yakut utensils for algys, a vessel for drinking kumys – choron and kytyjya with pancakes. A wisp of smoke rose from a special bowl, spreading the aroma of burning dry herbs of the Yakut expanses.
The cultural part concluded with a special ceremony – all participants took turns climbing onto the mas-wrestling platform with multicolored ribbons in their hands, tying salama to a braided horsehair cord of white and dark colors, making wishes, and then circling the platform to greet the numerous spectators
On behalf of the International Mas-wrestling Federation a referee of international category Egor Ermolayev warmly welcomed organizers, participants, and enthusiasts of Yakut mas-wrestling. Evgenia Sidorova voiced his speech for the audience in English. Egor Innokentyevich particularly noted the dynamic, growing activity of the national mas-wrestling association day by day, as well as the friendly, cohesive team work. Leaders Andrew Bollinger, Courtney Hoolihan, President of the Alberta Strongmen Association Nathaniel Blais, and the director of the strength training program at Bearspaw School Jesse Rost were presented with unique silver items crafted by Yakut jewelers – amulets, earrings, and a cowboy tie. Aline Gabyshova and Alina Eremeeva assisted in the award ceremony.
Let us recall that Jesse Rost is a member of the board of directors of the Alberta Strongman Association as the director of youth development and education. One of his goals in this position is to introduce mas-wrestling to students not only in the city and province but across Canada. He started with the Christian school Bearspaw in Calgary, wh ere mas-wrestling became an important part of the school's strength culture for students aged 14 to 18.
The school has a strength training club, which is optional for all students. 40% of the students join this club and dedicate themselves to nine months of physical training, which includes mas-wrestling once a week. According to the teacher, mas-wrestling is the perfect sport that combines strength and strategy. In the spring, the school received significant sponsorship from local companies to purchase mas-wrestling equipment, as well as everything needed to conduct full-fledged training and competitions between schoolchildren. All these materials cost 6,000 Canadian dollars. As you can see, the Canadian team has something to be proud of!
More than 50 of the strongest mas-wrestlers from Canada, the United States of America, and Puerto Rico took part in the North American championship. Most of the participants showed excellent preparation and significantly increased skill.
Canadians Martens Jeffrey Louis and Jaynes Shelby were unmatched as absolute champions of North America. Moreover, Shelby won a unique, exceptionally beautiful medal from the jewelry company Kierge for the second year in a row - last year for carrying a stone, and this year in the absolute category of mas-wrestling.
The main organizer, Andrew Bollinger, shared his thoughts: First of all, I want to highlight the most positive moments. The venue was excellent, in the downtown. It was free for us, and we had a large audience and a high level of enthusiasm. The Calgary media also showed interest in us. Our sponsors came and enjoyed the atmosphere of the event.
The bouts were going on one after another without a break, the spectators did not leave. Many of those who participated earlier trained hard all year and showed the best results. This speaks to the growth of our team. The participation of the American team added excitement and intrigue to the competition. The commentators were fantastic - Nathaniel Blais and Jesse Roest. They, working as a pair, complementing each other, did a great job and made the show very entertaining.The opening was very memorable. Many competitors and spectators commented on how special this was for them to be a part of a Sakha cultural ceremony».
Andrew Bolinger also noted some negative aspects. For example, holding the absolute championship immediately after the main starts was a mistake. Due to fatigue, many athletes who applied were unable to participate. Bolinger also called the problem with obtaining entry visas depressing. But at the same time, the Canadian organizers learned about the existence of a separate government department and a special application that can help us next year. They intend to apply as soon as possible next year to secure their support.
Well, we have turned another page in the history of world mas-wrestling. And we would not be us if we did not set even more global goals. For example, our friend Bolinger says: Inclusion into the official stampede program is a goal to reach. We will continue communications with the Stampede about this possibility. One day, we would like to incorporate Sakha music into the program. We could have a performance during the opening ceremony, and between each round. We will attempt to raise money to help pay for performers to fly here.We would like to continue to attempt to bring more countries for participation in our event. We need more technical staff (i.e. referees, scorekeepers) available from our community. It is difficult currently as many of the people interested in mas wrestling are competing. I will attempt to recruit and train some people over this year to be referees.
I would like to delegate the management of the competition to another, so that I can focus on being a better international ambassador for foreign visitors without sacrificing any planning related tasks. We will be applying for government grants to help fund the competition next year. The more funding we get, the more ideas we will be able to execute to improve the competition.
I express my immense gratitude for the strong support of Lena Tomskaya and Egor Ermolayev, who can inspire us with just their appearance. The prizes – Yakut knives, silver pendants with mas-wrestling symbols, diamonds, and other jewelry they brought were simply magnificent. We are wholeheartedly grateful to them".
The International Mas-wrestling Federation, in turn, expresses gratitude to the UTUM+ group of companies, represented by its CEO Georgy Karamzin, without whose financial support the federation's vice president's trip would not have taken place.
After the competition, the host side organized a magnificent tour of the state's attractions for foreign participants. The guests of Canada were impressed - they saw beautiful high mountains, emerald lakes, and swift waterfalls. It is definitely worth coming here again.
A report on the Canadian TV channel can be seen here https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/much-more-than-tug-of-war-mas-wrestling-championships-return-...
Country: Canada
