10 unique traditional sports played in Russia's regions (PHOTOS)
These sporting competitions are just as spectacular as Olympic events and their roots go back centuries. We’ve highlighted below the most colorful sports you can find still being played in various regions of the country.
1. ‘Kuresh’ – Belt Wrestling
This type of wrestling is widespread among many peoples of Russia – Tatars, Bashkirs, Chuvash, Nenets and others. Its roots go back to ancient times. Opponents firmly hold each other by the belts and try to throw each other onto their backs. The first one to throw their opponent onto their back is the winner.
Where to see it: ‘Sabantuy’ festival (Tatarstan), ‘Akatuy’ (Chuvashia) and Reindeer Herder's Day (Yamal).
2. Throwing the ‘tynzyan’ on the ‘khorey’
This sport is widespread in the Far North. A ‘tynzyan’ is a lasso, while the khorey is a long pole used to steer a reindeer sled. A participant must throw the lasso a certain distance onto a ‘khorey’ stuck into the ground. It seems simple, but it takes years of practice.
Where to see it: Reindeer Herder's Day (Yamal), Reindeer Day (Komi), Festival of the North (Komi and Murmansk Region).
3. Reindeer sled racing
One of the most beautiful and emotional sports of the indigenous peoples of the Far North. Just imagine: sleds racing at speeds of over 40 km/h! Both men and women participate in the races. The excitement is as intense as in Formula-1.
Where to see it: at Reindeer Herder's Day (Yamal), Reindeer Day (Komi), Festival of the North (Komi and Murmansk Region).
4. National triple jump
This sport is also common among the peoples of the North. A participant must perform three jumps in a row without stopping, pushing off and landing on both feet. The jumps require tremendous strength, coordination and a sense of rhythm.
Where to see it: Festival of the North (Komi and Murmansk Region), ‘Beringia Games’ (Chukotka), Northern All-Around Championship (various cities in the Far North).
5. Sled jumping
This pastime originated in the vast tundra among reindeer herders and is now part of northern all-around competitions. ‘Narty’ are sleds used for reindeer riding. In modern competitions, up to ten such sleds are involved. The jump is performed from a standing position, pushing off with both feet simultaneously.
Where to see it: Reindeer Herder's Day (Yamal), Northern All-Around Championship (various cities in the Far North).
6. Mas-wrestling – Stick tug-of-war
This is an official sport practiced by the Nenets, Komi, Yakuts and many other peoples. ‘Mas’ means ‘stick’ in Yakut.
The rules are simple: Participants sit opposite each other and each pulls the stick towards themselves. The goal is to pull the opponent over to your side or to wrench the stick from their hands.
Where to see it: ‘Yhyakh’ festival (Yakutia), Festival of the North (Komi), Reindeer Herder's Day (Yamal).
7. Stone carrying
At the Yakut ‘Yhyakh’ festival, a stone carrying competition is held, featuring a stone that weighs over 100 kg! Handling this boulder with sharp edges, which is also slippery, is a challenge for true strongmen. Similar heavy stone-lifting competitions are also held by the Buryats.
Where to see it: ‘Yhyakh’ festival (Yakutia), ‘Yordyn Games’ festival (Irkutsk Region).
8. Breaking a spinal bone by hand
One of the most incredible challenges among the Buryats is called ‘Kheër Shaalga’. A participant takes a cattle spinal bone in one hand and must break it with the edge of their palm in one sharp blow. This requires not so much strength as precise technique.
Where to see it: ‘Yordyn Games’ festival (Irkutsk Region), ‘Naadan-Surkhabaan’ festival (Buryatia).
9. Buryat wrestling
Before a match, Buryat wrestlers perform the ‘Eagle Dance’ to intimidate their opponents.
The fight lasts five minutes. The loser, as a sign of respect, walks under the champion's arm.
Where to see it: ‘Yordyn Games’ festival (Irkutsk Region), ‘Naadan-Surkhabaan’ festival (Buryatia).
10. Traditional kayak races
In Chukotka, traditional ‘baydara’ (kayak) races take place in the cold waters of the Bering Strait. In the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, meanwhile, ‘oblas’ (wooden boat) races are held regularly. And, in Murmansk Region, an annual regatta is held in ‘karbas’ boats, which are traditional Pomor homemade wooden boats.
Where to see it: ‘Beringia’ festival (Chukotka), ‘Yugra Oblas’ festival (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug), Pomor Rowing Regatta (Murmansk Region).
