Traditional Combat Sports

Images depicting athletes in traditional wrestling events such as Swiss wrestling and Mongolian wrestling, showcasing strength and cultural heritage.

Group of people performing outdoor pull-up exercises on a row of bars on a sunny morning with visible breath in the cool air

Two teenagers in Swiss National Sport of Pants Lifting or Swiss Wrestling

A participant prepares to get cleaned up by sliding on a soapy mat during the annual Misawa Mudder at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2022. The second annual Misawa Mudder consisted of both adult and child courses that challenged participants with mud pits and obstacles over a 5K course.

Disc golf player throwing a flying disc sport game in the park or nature

The Mongolian traditional wrestling event (is an untimed competition in which wrestlers lose if they touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet or hands) at a local Naadam Festival in the Sagsai River valley, a remote valley in the Altai Mountains (Altay Mountains) near Altai Sum about 200 kilometers from Ulgii (լgii) in the Bayan-Ulgii Province in western Mongolia.

A child crawls through the mud during the annual Misawa Mudder at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2022. The event allowed the children to participate in a 1K or obstacles only run.

The Mongolian traditional wrestling event (is an untimed competition in which wrestlers lose if they touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet or hands) at a local Naadam Festival in the Sagsai River valley, a remote valley in the Altai Mountains (Altay Mountains) near Altai Sum about 200 kilometers from Ulgii (լgii) in the Bayan-Ulgii Province in western Mongolia.

A soldier assigned to the Spanish Patriot Unit crawls through a mud pit located under a military vehicle during the Spanish Pegasus Race at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Oct. 1, 2022. The race, organized by the Spanish Patriot Unit, consisted of eight obstacles ranging from rope climbing to truck pulling and a four-kilometer run. Events like the Spanish Pegasus Race encourage cohesion and teamwork between individuals to strengthen the relationship between U.S. and Spanish forces while allowing the NATO partners to have fun.

Group of people performing outdoor pull-up exercises on a row of bars on a sunny morning with visible breath in the cool air

110712-N-OA833-001ANNAPOLIS, Md. (July 12, 2011) A Plebe in the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2015 makes her way through the school's obstacle course. The new 4th class midshipmen are participating in Plebe Summer, six-weeks of training intended to transition the students from civilian to military life.

Traditional spinning top, Tujlub, competition action at a Hmong new year festival at Hung Saew village, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Asia

Detail muddy boots in a rugby match.

Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, play kickball during the battalions Organizational Day at the Newman Village Sports Complex in Wiesbaden Germany, Sept. 29, 2022.

Disc golf player throwing a flying disc in the park

Competitors in the first round of the Mens Open in the Grand Cornish Wrestling Tournament on the picturesque village green of St Mawgan in Pydar in Cornwall in England in the UK.

More than 6,000 visitors showed up to an open house hosted by the Vermont Air and Army National Guard, where military aviation, equipment, vehicles, munitions and flight simulators were on display, along with a career fair, musical performances and police dog demonstrations, at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, Sept. 11, 2022. The event was planned to coincide with the Vermont National Guard's observance of the 21st anniversary of the attacks of 9/11 which saw Vermont Air National Guard F-16s flying patrols over NYC in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

young people in calisthenics competition, Llucmajor, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.

Briana Bowen, the Associate Director from Utah State University, Utah, attempts the obstacle course during the Marine Corps Recruiting Commands Educators' Workshop at the Officer Candidate School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 9. The Educators Workshop is designed to inform college educators how Marines are recruited, trained and developed into leaders.

Male participant in an obstacle course doing suspension ring exercises. Participant obstacle course doing suspension

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Team Eglin Airmen and families participated in a 5k Color Run hosted by the Eglin Fitness Center, April 9, 2022. Approximately 100 runners were doused in colorful chalk along a winding route through Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jaime Bishopp)

Muddy Spartan Race participants climb an obstacle; Alberta, Canada

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point fireman carry their team members for a challenge at Devil Dog Dare during the 25th Annual All-Terrain Unit Competition, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 28, 2022. Participants had to complete five physically demanding challenges over a seven-mile course. The competition allowed various units to build comradery while boosting morale.

Participant crawling through mud in a Spartan race; Alberta, Canada

NASA Kennedy Space Center's Emergency Response Team members prepare compete in target shooting during the 34th Annual SWAT Round-up International at the Lawson Lamar Firearms and Tactical Training Center in Orlando, Florida. The competition was held Nov. 15 to 18, and featured five different competition categories. Kennedy's ERT members exchanged best practices and competed with 60 teams from the U.S. and around the world.

Tug of war championship

Muddy Spartan Race participants running and cheering; Alberta, Canada

060701-N-4385W-002. Base: Whidbey Island State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 39th Security Forces Squadron jump into the mud pit during the 39th Air Base Wing Sports Day tug-of-war event at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, June 1, 2012. Airmen from several squadrons competed in friendly games of volleyball, softball, basketball, kickball, dodgeball and tug-of-war.

Slacklining is a practice in balance

Educators Workshop attendees climb the inverted wall during the Confidence Course application at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, April 7, 2022. Educators Workshop provides the opportunity for teachers to experience and gain insight on some of the challenges recruits face during Marine Corps recruit training.

High schools from the Killeen Independent School District and surrounding areas visited Fort Hood, Texas on April 19, 2022. The students participated in several obstacles courses while learning about the seven Army values.

Highlandgames, highland games, athlete, sportsman, kilt, heavy events challenge, tossing the caber, toss, log tossing, Scotland, North America, America, Great Britain, Canada, North America

Medical professionals conduct physical fitness training as part of Operation Immersion at the Wendell Ford Regional Training Center May 10, 2016, Greenville Kentucky. Operation Immersion offers participants the opportunity to experience the stresses that Soldiers encounter during basic training, mobilization, deployment, and demobilization.

On July 9, the 510th Regional Support Group brought their families together to celebrate their first official Organizational Day. After lunch, a raffle, and some laughs at the dunk tank, many soldiers and family members competed in the first annual Commanders Cup. Through events such as basketball, volleyball, football, and eventually tug-of-war, only one team remained standing to receive the coveted trophy. Thanks to everyone who joined and participated in some great team building!

Muddy feet of a Spartan Race participant; Alberta, Canada

gran batalla de la uva -Gran Batalla Del Raïm-, fiestas de Es Vermar, Binissalem, Mallorca, islas baleares, Spain, europa.

A coaching session before the Grand Cornish Wrestling Tournament on the picturesque village green of St Mawgan in Pydar in Cornwall in England in the UK.

Participant crawling through mud in a Spartan race; Alberta, Canada

9 Man New York Mini volleyball tournament

Running

A group of delegates representing Utah high schools participate in the Leadership Reaction Course in order to develop team building skills as part of Freedom Academy at Camp Williams, Utah, July 11, 2022. Freedom Academy promotes the ideals and principles of the United States of America, a sense of patriotism, and motivation to actively participate in preserving our freedom.

Good for conceptual of power, energy and strenght

Office of the Secretary - Secretary Carlos Gutierrez with Commerce Baseball Team

Detail muddy boots in a rugby match.

Jakobsbad, Switzerland. Traditional lifting or wrestling

Kids Wrestling on the Grass, MR-0601 MR-0518

Traditional spinning top, Tujlub, competition action at a Hmong new year festival at Hung Saew village, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Asia

A man and a woman in martial arts training in a park

Highlandgames, highland games, athlete, sportsman, kilt, heavy events challenge, tossing the caber, toss, log tossing, Scotland, North America, America, Great Britain, Canada, North America

Participants chase a wheel of cheese during the annual cheese rolling event on Cooper's Hill in Brockworth in Gloucestershire.

Blurred, military and people with guns for paintball, training and action game in nature. Fitness, defocused and soldier men shooting for war on battlefield, physical activity or cardio in a forest

Jiang Fu cools off after completing the 2022 Air Force Half Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 17, 2022. More than 8,500 runners and 1,500 volunteers from all 50 states and 18 different countries came out to run in the races 26th year.

Members of the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing participate in a Combat Dining In event at Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, June 12, 2022. A "Combat Dining In" is a military-only, esprit de corps event, in which Airmen participate in various events typically involving water-fights, tug of war and various traditions of speeches, games and challenges.

Switzerland, Canton Ticino, Gudo, Swiss wrestling

Highland Games, Tug-o-War, Tug of War, Rope Pulling, Scotland, Great Britain, Antigonish, Novo Scotia, New Scotland, North America, America, Canada, North America

Sporting rifle

Community members help one another through a mud pit during the Filthy Mudder Mud Run June 24, 2022, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Participants were faced with multiple mud pits throughout the race, each gradually more difficult than the last.

Participants in extreme obstacle race, running through mud

Male participant cheering after Spartan race; Alberta, Canada

Muddy Spartan Race participants waiting in mud for an obstacle; Alberta, Canada

The final day of the 2022 Army JROTC National Raider Championships saw individual Cadets testing their physical and mental ability in the Ultimate Raider Challenge on November 6. Cadets competed in a timed footrace and obstacle course that ended with the Cadets scaling an 8-foot wall. The Ultimate Raider is the final event of the Raider Championships that ran November 3-6 in Molena, Ga. (Photo by Sarah Windmueller, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs)

Little boy playing football Little boy with hat and sunglasses while playing football in a garden ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/JFsxPicx 14075483 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

young woman learning water skiing

A participant racing in the 16th annual Swamp Romp, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps' Combat Logistics Battalion 3, jumps out of a tire obstacle at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Feb. 20. The Swamp Romp is a five-mile, obstacle-laden course that includes mud, water, sand and flat ground.

Germany, Berlin, 24. 05. 2021, Mauerpark, Amphitheatre, Corona Denier, Fuck you Corona, Man with Helmet and Shield, Europe

Switzerland, Canton Ticino, Ascona, Street performer festival

Horse show

Shepherd on a mountain ridge in front of a cloudy sky, Gunzesried, Allgaeu, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Two teenage boys playing baseball

England, North Yorkshire, Gargrave. A team competing in the tug of war competition at Gargrave Show, an annual country show near Skipton.

Participants walk through the mud during the annual Misawa Mudder at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2022. The Misawa Mudder is an obstacle course designed to challenge women, men and youth of all fitness levels.

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Spartan Race participant covered in mud; Alberta, Canada

The 839th Transportation Battalion - SDDC sponsored a Color run/walk to raise awareness to Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP), a proactive U.S. Army program which aims to end sexual harassment and assault. Darby Military Community, USAG Italy participated with enthusiasm. Camp Darby, Italy, April 14, 2022.

Runners begin the 5K Fun Run at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 23, 2022. The run was held in support of Suicide Prevention Month.

Portrait of a young woman practicing martial arts

Participant in extreme obstacle race cheering, rear view

Competitor in Tug of War, Shamrock Club, Perth, Western Australia, Australia, Pacific

Participant of the 2011 Maldon Mud Race at Maldon, on the Essex coast, England, United Kingdom, Europe

A man shoots at a clay target from a skeet machine while others watch.

US Air Force STAFF Sergeant Steven R. Fox runs through the "Tangle Foot" obstacle during a physical fitness event for DEFENDER CHALLENGE 2000 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. SSGT Fox is part of the Air National Guard (ANG) team participating here. Defender Challenge is the annual Air Force wide competition sponsored by Air Force Security Forces. This competition showcases the talents and capabilities of 13 international Security Forces teams in seven physical fitness events, base defense and policing skills over six days. Subject Operation/Series: DEFENDER CHALLENGE 2000 Base: Lackland Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. service members compete in "The Hildy" fitness challenge on day one of the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, May 19, 2022. The annual multi-day competition tests the tactical and technical proficiency of visual information and public affairs specialists across the DOD and participating international competitors.

Young boy playing youth league baseball, catcher squatting

Collier County Sheriffs Officer, Cpl. Andres Delgato, low crawls in the sand during the second annual Defenders Challenge for National Police Week May 17, 2022, at MacDill Beach, Florida. The challenge consisted of a blind folded M-4 Carbine rifle assembly, a ruck march and beach crawl. Every year, MacDill Airmen come together to celebrate National Police Week by honoring military and civilian law enforcement who paid the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty.

In celebration of the 61st Anniversary of 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Soldiers and their families participated in a family leisure obstacle course during Reunion Week at Fort Campbell, Ky. on Sept. 24, 2022.

Summer, boys jumping into a lake, Saint Agathe, Province of Quebec, Canada, North America

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, NOVEMBER 2: Drunk punters at the end of Derby Day at the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne Australia

Office of the Secretary - Secretary Carlos Gutierrez with Commerce Baseball Team

Summer, vacation and man in game of limbo, balance and playing at a music festival, event and challenge. Fun, people and outdoor in woods, forest or person in social activity at party in monkey suit

A service member assigned to Shaw Air Force Base drags a mannequin as part of an obstacle course in the Commanders Cup sporting event at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sep. 9, 2022. The Airman completed the obstacle as part of the defenders challenge highlighting the strength and resiliency of Shaws security forces personnel.

Runners participate in the 2022 Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 17, 2022. More than 8,500 runners and 1,500 volunteers from all 50 states and 18 different countries came out to run in the races 26th year.

Runners participate in the 2022 Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 17, 2022. More than 8,500 runners and 1,500 volunteers from all 50 states and 18 different countries came out to run in the races 26th year.

Kirkpinar greased rings

Players doing summer sports trying to block a dangerous attack in a beach volleyball game

Young boy stretching on outside gym during summer workout.

Kiltmaker, kilt tailor, business, tailoring, kilt, tartan, Scotland, Duneden, Central Scotland, Oceania, Great Britain, New Zealand, Oceania

Inter-American Defense College Leadership greeted Mexican dignitaries for a Mexican Independence Day Celebration hosted by students at the IADC on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., Sept. 16, 2022. IADC students celebrate the Independence Day of all nations represented by students with a presentation about the country, food and a 5k run.

Weekend rowing training school at Radley Boathouse by the Thames, carrying your scull.

FORT GORDON, Ga. (May 11 , 2013) Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Michael Burngasser competes in the 6th annual Marine Mud Challenge at Fort Gordon. Participants traverse through more than 20 obstacles, long trails, creeks and 100 dump trucks of clay.

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