100% success of Calgary Mas-wrestling Tournament

As the largest tournament of this level in Canada. As a sign of successful unity of colleagues from different countries. As an example of the excellent work of the national mas-wrestling association and its leader Andrew Bolinger.

It is a little sad that from now this unique tournament will be mentioned only in the past tense. However, it will be wonderful to remember.

On July 13, during the world-renowned Cowboy Festival Calgary Stampede in collaboration with Canadian mas-wrestling enthusiasts successfully hosted the Stampede Showdown International Mas-wrestling Tournament in seven weight categories according to the approved Regulations.

The start of the tournament was agreed with the beginning of festival’s horse parade. The organizers, celebrity guests on the harnessed carriages, Indians riding on mustangs in colorful clothing with recognizable headgear with long feathers welcomed our honored guests who were invited to the platform at that time.

Yakut traditional blessing ceremony «Algys» was performed by the Andreev’s family from Vancouver. The cultural number was given by Lena Baisheva playing on khomus, she is a social activist of Sakha Diaspora in Canada.

The honored guest of our tournament Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling Pavel Pinigin from Yakutia gave a pep talk to the athletes a right spirit and promised that Yakut mas-wrestling will be on the same level with Olympic sports.

On behalf of the International Mas-wrestling Federation certificate of the International Category Referee was presented to Andrew Bolinger. Also, for the popularization of mas-wrestling, sponsor Yegor Makarov presented him with a Yakut choron made of wood according to ancient sketches, on behalf of the ice sculpture masters Fedor Markov, Alexey Andreev, Yegor Stepanov, who took the first places in the international competitions in Lake Louise, Edmonton and Ottawa for twelve years in a row. 

World mas-wrestling ambassador Julia Ryasnova presented a souvenir «100 years of Physical Culture in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)» to Alberta Strongman President Nathaniel Bleis.

The theme of the festival was continued by «Djehegey» dance by International Mas-wrestling Development Department employee Aina-Katerina Anufrieva. Like a pretty little baby horse enjoying a sunny day, she touched many spectators and gave a bright, festive mood to the entire tournament.

Wonderful weather, friendly atmosphere, mutual respect of the competitors together with their uncompromising struggle, friendly public, excellent teamwork of Canadian and Yakut guys were the key to the absolute success of the international event. Two famous sports presenters did not leave the stage, commenting on happening for the audience and telling them details on each participant and the techniques they used. It was given them opportunity to try themselves to feel what is a mas-wrestling. At the platform formed a queue of willing. So everyone loved the new sport. The result was praise reviews that we received after the bouts. All were positive.

The winners received original cowboy hats with leather inserts with the name of the tournament, Yakut knives from sponsor Egor Makarov, watch with the logo of the International Mas-wrestling Federation and silver jewelry.

As we wrote, the tournament was held in four men’s and three women’s categories. Most of the participants were in the heavy and super heavy divisions of men. All the twists and turns of the contractions were captured by a professional camera crew. So I do not see the point to dwell on this. As it said, it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times (read in this case).

List of winners:

Women

60 kg

1. Hollihan Courtney - Canada

2. Breakenridge Ainsley - Canada

3. Bain Megan - Canada

75 kg

1. Hoyem Olivia - Canada

2. Pietrzyk Jessica - Canada

3. Collins Michelle - Canada

75+ kg

1. Janes Shelby - Canada

2. O'Brien Joscelyne - Canada

3. Kovacs Savanna – Canada

Men

80 kg

1. Grabarczyk Ryan - Canada

2. Stewart Brett - Canada

3. Binette Gabriel - Canada

95 kg

1. Innis Liam - Canada

2. Cochran Izaha - Canada

3. Wheat Ian - Canada

110 kg

1. Bolinger Andrew – Canada/Sealand

2. Koop Mitch - Canada

3. Lindquist Justin - Canada

110+ kg

1. Martens Jeffrey Louis - Canada

2. Cobb James - Canada

3. Hornaday William – Indonesia

The most epic bout was between two friends Andrew Bolinger and Mitch Coop in the 105 kg category. It was nice to see these two canadian mas-wrestling titans. Bolinger could not lose because he had worked so hard to make this wonderful tournament happen. The audience wanted it so much too! Couple of cool moves and our hero is on top of it. By the way, these rivals can meet in Astana during the Nomad Games in September. So, the game continues. In all senses. We are leaving hospitable Calgary to meet again in another part of the world. Let it be so!

P.S.

After mas-wrestling was held the second discipline - Stone Carrying to the range. The weight of natural stones for men was 136 kg and for women - 86 kg. Unique medals made of silver, brass and horsehair from the master of the jewelry company «Kierge» won William Hornaday from Indonesia and Canadian Janes Shelby.