Mas-wrestling

Mas-wrestling (Russian: Мас-рестлинг) is the international name used for the Yakut ethnosport derived from the traditional stick pulling game mas tard'yhyy (мас тардыhыы, 'stick tugging').

Reminiscent of the Eskimo Stick Pull featured at the World Eskimo Indian Olympics, Norwegian kjevletrekk, Finnish kartunveto or väkikapulan veto, as well as the Highland test of strength The Swingle Tree (played with a shepherd's crook), participants taking part in mas-wrestling competitions sit in front of each other, prop their feet against the board that divides the competition area and tug on a wooden stick (mas), making sure to keep it parallel to the propping board.

Mas-wrestling demands great muscular strength from the hands, legs, back, and abdominals.

Victory is declared when a contestant manages to pull his opponent over the board and keep the stick in his hands.

The elimination tournament format in separate weight divisions also has a bonus point system: It was a common hobby amongst sailors, and therefore variants of mas-wrestling can be found throughout Alaska and Northern Europe.