Ranggeln

Ranggeln is not just a sport but a tradition that plunges its roots in the alpine culture. Ranggeln is practised in South Tyrol, East and North Tyrol, in the Salzburg area and in Bavaria and competitions are organised also during festivals and events. Its origins date back at least to the Iron Age between the Hallstatt and La Tène cultures. The most important Ranggeln competition named "Hundstoa-Ranggeln" was first mentioned in written documents from 1518 and is still held on Mt Hoher Hundstein in Zell am See im Pinzgau in the Salzburg area.

Ranggeln (or Ranggln) is a unique combat and contact sport, similar to the Schwingen, a Swiss form of wrestling. Usually, competitions are carried out on meadows or indoors on mats in case of bad weather. The wrestlers always fight barefoot and wear a white kit made of a robust linen shirt, also known as Rangglerpfoad, a pair of trousers tied to their ankles and a belt.

The fight is won by the wrestler who makes his opponent touch the ground with both shoulder blades first. However, holds and joint locks that could hurt the opponent, as well as strangulation are strictly forbidden.

Unlike in other forms of wrestling, Rangglers are not weighed to determine their weight class before matches. The categories for teenagers are based on the age of the fighters. A good Ranggler stands out for his excellent technique, agility and power. The wrestler who manages to win three rounds in a row acquires the title "Hågmoar" which literally means "master, head of the enclosure. The name derives from the fact that in former times the matches took place in fenced areas. Originally, the winner was awarded a black grouse feather, known as "Schneidfeder" (literally the feather of courage) which he used to attach to his hat during festivals. Today, the prize consists of a medal or a flag but the prestige and honour of the victory are still the same.

Originally, the matches could be refereed only by wrestlers who were awarded the title of Hågmoar at least once. Still nowadays referees are called Schermtax, a dialect word from Pinzgau referring to an isolated Norway spruce with long and thick branches.

The Ranggeln season lasts from April to October and the matches are usually held almost every weekend in various places in the Alps. In South Tyrol competitions take place in the Aurina Valley, Terento, and the Val Passiria but the sport is becoming increasingly popular in other areas like Rodengo and in the Val Sarentino as well.

This internationally recognised sport was included in the IFCW (International Federation of Celtic Wrestling) and represents a perfect blend between the past and the present. Ancient traditions harmoniously intertwine with modern sport techniques and the power, agility and spirit found in the alpine communities is kept alive.