Naadam celebrating culture
Test of warrior skills, that goes back to ancient times, remains a hugely popular spectacle
There were a number of impressive performances during the 34th Inner Mongolia Grassland Naadam Festival held in Xiliin Gol League, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region.
After learning how to stay in the saddle at the tender age of 2, Aztai, now a veteran horseman at 7, competed in the 8-kilometer and the 12-km races at the ongoing Naadam Festival. His father, Khas-Ochir, is a horse trainer, and also Aztai's coach.
"My son has always loved riding, and now I train with him every day," says the proud father.
In the competition, audiences can experience the excitement as skilled riders, often young children, gallop across the steppes on their sturdy Mongolian horses over distances up to 30 km.
Chilmeg, 12, won eighth place in the festival's youth wrestling competition.
Riding horses since the age of 6 and wrestling from 7, Chilmeg returned home during his summer vacation to train in both disciplines under the guidance of his father and uncle.
"I watched videos of wrestlers on TV and found them powerful and majestic. I aim to win the championship at the next Naadam fair," Chilmeg says.
