Zasuul

Zasuul, holding hats.

In Mongolian wrestling, the zasuul is a wrestler's helpmate,[1] also described as a trainer[2] and a second. The zasuul holds the wrestler's hat during the match, and before the third, fifth, and seventh rounds of a wrestling competition announces the wrestler's titles.[3]

The zasuul also encourages the wrestler and engages the audience. At the beginning of the match he can imitate wild animals in a choreographed dance,[2] and he sings songs to encourage his wrestler.[4] The name "zasuul" comes from the Mongolian word "zasah" (to fix). There are usually two zasuuls for a bout for each wrestler. Their job is to analyze the match, to make sure there are no illegal moves, good sportsmanship and decide which wrestler went down first if there is a close call and be impartial for the whole match. If there is a disagreement on who fell first, they sometimes decide to rematch the wrestlers again. The key thing for them is that they are not wrestlers on the field and really have no preferation on who wins or loses the match, but to be impartial and represent the crowd and be representative of the rule of the game. Sometimes during the heat of the match, they also serve as third force so the matches go according to the rules and wrestlers win and lose accordingly. If there is a close call on who fell first, if there is a disagreement between the zasuuls, the match is usually redone if there was no video replay. If both zasuuls are confident on who fell first, the match is decided and declared over even if the fallen wrestler disputes the decision. Since Mongolian wrestling falls are sometimes close and hard to observe from afar because of the techniques involved, their primary role is to impartially decide from a third vantage point who fell first. They also encourage time controls.

References

  1. ↑ Csáki, Éva (2006). Middle Mongolian Loan Words in Volga Kipchak Languages. Otto Harrassowitz. p. 106. ISBN 9783447053815.
  2. 1 2 Lacaze, Gaëlle (2014). Mongolie: Pays d'ombres et de lumières. Olizane. p. 166. ISBN 9782880864057.
  3. ↑ Blunden, Jane (2014). Mongolia. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 262. ISBN 9781841624167.
  4. ↑ The Report: Mongolia 2012. Oxford Business Group. 2012. p. 239. ISBN 9781907065538.


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