National ssireum championship to open in Uiseong on Saturday

North Gyeongsang Province's Uiseong-gun will host the Withus Pharmaceutical 2026 Folk Ssireum Uiseong Garlic Jangsa Ssireum Tournament at Uiseong General Gymnasium from Saturday through Nov. 6, the county announced Wednesday.

Organized by the Korea Ssireum Association and co-hosted by the Uiseong-gun Ssireum Association and the Uiseong-gun Sports Council, the seven-day event will draw top-ranked ssireum wrestlers from across the country.

Competition opens Saturday with women's preliminary bouts, followed by individual and team events across weight classes for both men and women. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Monday, and admission is free.

Uiseong-gun will operate a temporary shuttle bus service through Uiseong General Gymnasium for spectators. Buses will run from across the street from Uiseong Intercity Bus Terminal toward the gymnasium, and from the gymnasium toward Uiseong Station. Detailed schedules will be available through a separate bus timetable.

"It is meaningful to showcase high-level ssireum matches by top national athletes here in Uiseong," Uiseong-gun County Mayor Choi Yu-cheol said. "I hope this tournament will spread the appeal of ssireum as a traditional sport and bring special enjoyment to all spectators."