"Just beside the site of the Dayan Derkh monastery was a wrestling tournament. The wrestler, dressed in an open-chested wrestling shirt, called a zodog, is performing a traditional dance before a match. He keeps one hand on his trainer's shoulder and circles around him a few times, keeping his eyes closed most of the time.

"Wrestling is one of the most popular sports in Mongolia, particularly during Naadam. Naadam is a festival during which Mongolians engage in the sports of wisdom, courage, and strength, such as wrestling, archery, and horse-racing. Wrestlers are viewed as heroes and gain fame, like football players in the U.S."
—Photographer Matthieu Paley

Get Technical
Camera: Nikon F100
Film: Fujichrome Provia 100
Lens: Nikon 20-35 mm
Speed and F-Stop: 1/250 @ f/4
Time of Day: 2:00 p.m.

Photo Gallery: Modern Mongolia | Adventure Guide: Mongolia