WRESTLING ON THE STEPPES OF THE IRTISH.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2531, 29 September 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

WRESTLING ON THE STEPPES OF THE IRTISH.

The crowd was divided into two hostile camps, consisting respectively of Kirghis and Tartar?. Ours was the Kirghis side, and opposite us were the Tartars. There were four masters of ceremouies, who wer« dressed in long green " khalats " and carried rattan wands. The two Tartar officials would select a champion in their corner, throw a sash over his head, pull him out in tho arena, and then challenge the Kirghis officials to match him. The latter would soon find a man about equid to the Tartar champion in size'and weight, and then tho two contestants would prepare for the struggle. The first bout after we arrived was between a good-looking smooth-faced young Kirghis, who woro ft blue skullcap and a red sash, and an athleticheavily built Tartar, in a yellow sknll-cap and a green sash. They eyed each other warily for a moment, and then clinched fiercely, each grasping with one hand his sash, while he endeavoured with theolhur to get (in advantageous hold of wrist, arm or shoulder. Their he'ids were pressed closely together, their hodies wi.ro bent almost into right angles at their \v:ii«ls, and their fuet were kppt well bat.'k to .ivoiil trips. Presently both seciniiJ »n*h and shoulder holds, and in a bent position backed ench other around tho arena, the Kirghis watching for an opportuuity to trip, aud tho Tartar striving to closo in. The veins stood out liko wbip-cords on their foreheads and necks, aud their swarthy faces dripped with perspiration as they struggled and manoeuvred in the scorching sunshine ; bit neither of them seemed to be able to find an opening in tho other's guard, or to get any decided advantage. At last, however, the Turtar backed away suddenly, pulling the Kirghis violently towards him ; and, as the latter stopped forward to recover his balance, he was dexterously tripped by a powerful side blow of the Tartar's leg and foot. The trip did not throw him to the ground, but it did throw him off liia guard, and before he could recover himself the Tnrtnr broke tho sash and shoulder hold, rushed in fiercely, caught him around the body, and, with a hiplock and a tremendous heave, threw him over his head. The unfortunate Kirghis fell with such violence that the blood streamed from his nose and mouth and he seemed partly stunned ; but he was able to get up without assistance and walked in a dazed way to his corner, amidst a roar of shouts and triumphant cries from the Tartar side. Aβ the excitement increased new champions offered themselves, and in a moment two more cont*4ptnts were locked in a desperate struggle, amid a babel of exclamations, suggestions, taunts, and yells of encouragement or defiance from their respective supporters. The wrestling was invariably good humoured, and the vanquished retired without any manifestations of ill-feeling, and often with laughter at their own discomfiture. The Kirghis were generally overmatched. The Tartars, although perhaps no stronger, were quicker and more dexterous than their nomadic adversaries, and won, on an average, two falls out of every three.— Century.