ULAN BATOR, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian wrestler Namsraijav Batsuuri won the country's traditional wrestling tournament of the national holiday Naadam for the fourth time on Friday.
Inscribed in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Naadam is also called "Three Manly Games" featuring wrestling, archery and horse racing.
A wrestler who wins five fights in succession during Naadam becomes known as a Falcon, a six-fight winner takes the title of Hawk, and a seven-fight winner attains the title of Elephant. The title of Lion is bestowed on the winner of the entire festival, while a two-time festival winner becomes known as Titan, the highest rank in the traditional wrestling tournament.
Batsuuri defeated Lion Bayarsaikhan Orkhonbayar in the final round of the wrestling tournament. The 36-year-old became a Titan in 2018.
Naadam, which means "games" in the Mongolian language, is the most important event for Mongolian traditional wrestlers, who can only attain rank during this festival.
A total of 512 wrestlers across the country, including 98 with national titles, competed in this year's Naadam.
Six wrestlers became Falcons of the nation, two others took the title of Hawk, with one wrestler attaining the title of the Elephant during this year's Naadam. ■
