Top-level athletes from Switzerland and the Metropolitan Wrestling Association during During Cultural Showcase on Swiss National Day in action at Manhattan 's Pier 54 on the Hudson , July 30 2006 noon to 10:00 ...

Demonstrations of the traditional Swiss alpine wrestling sport "Schwingen," plus Greco-Roman and men's and women's freestyle wrestling will join other cultural and epicurean events marking the 714 th Swiss National Day, to be celebrated July 30, noon until 10:00 p.m. at Manhattan's Pier 54 on the Hudson River. Competitors will include the current Swiss national Alpine wrestling champion Jörg Abderhalden as well as champions from the West Coast Swiss Wrestling Association and from the Metropolitan Wrestling Association.

Alpine farmers have practiced Schwingen for centuries as a friendly show of strength. Each round is normally about five minutes and takes place in a 30-foot ring called a "Platz" that is covered with wood shavings or sawdust.

Competitors wear special shorts with a slit in the back over belted trousers, the slit allowing the stipulated grip on the belt. The winner is the one who throws his opponent onto his back with both shoulder blades touching the ground, without losing his own grip on the opponent's belt. If neither wrestler succeeds within the allotted time, the round is considered a draw. Spectators can contrast this approach to wrestling with the Greco-Roman and freestyle variations more familiar in the United States .

The first official records of Swiss alpine wrestling date back to 1215 and "crowns" have been awarded to the winners since 1755. The Swiss Wrestling Federation (ESV) was founded in 1895. Swiss Alpine wrestling stems from the need for physical exercise and the desire to demonstrate one's personal strength and skill, and evolved as a spare-time activity for herdsmen. This is a friendly fight, with opponents greeting each other with a handshake before each round. In a typical Swiss gesture, the victor traditionally brushes the sawdust from the loser's back.

http://www.swisswrestling.com/ ; http://www.mwausa.org

More on Swiss National Day

The Swiss National Day in New York will blend Swiss food, wine, entertainment and tradition, including alphorn blowing, yodeling and the throwing of the "Unspunnen" stone. A v illage market, typical of the Jungfrau region, will offer for sale examples of the country's various food and craft products. There will be demonstrations of "milking chair curling", flag waving and the always-popular painting of wooden cows.

Officially taking place on the first of August, the Swiss National Day celebration invites guests to learn more about America 's Sister Republic Switzerland. It is co-hosted by several New York Swiss Associations and the Hudson River Park Trust. There is an admission of $5.00 for adults; children under 16 are admitted free.

References:

http://www.swissworld.org/dvd_rom/eng/customs_2003/content/folklore.html