アフガン式柔道で熱戦　北部で人気

【カブールＡＦＰ＝時事】アフガニスタンの首都カブールの広場では毎週末、柔道とレスリングを融合させたような競技の大会が開催されており、全国から集まった腕自慢が白熱した戦いを繰り広げている。（写真はアフガニスタン・カブールで行われた柔道とレスリングを組み合わせたスポーツの試合）
　大会は公式なものではないが、大勢のファンが集まる。同郷の選手の応援には熱が入り、相手選手にはやじを飛ばす。
　北部サマンガン州出身のムハンマド・アテフさん（３１）は、競技歴１７年になる。
　「サマンガンとクンドゥズ、バグランの３州で人気だ」と話す。ジョズジャン州の州都シェベルガンも有名な格闘家が多い。
　特に北部で人気があり、村や地区ごとに試合が行われ、地方大会や全国大会に出場する選手が選ばれる。
　ルールも柔道とレスリングの混合だ。対戦相手は、体重と対戦成績によって決められる。
　ほぼ１、２分以内で勝敗が決まる試合が多い。結果にかかわらず、ハグを交わしたたえあう。
　投げ技で軽々と対戦相手を倒したアテフさんは、「きょうの相手はクンドゥズ出身だった」と語った。
　勝者には少額の賞金が出る。アフガニスタンで実権を握ったイスラム主義組織タリバンは賭けを禁じているが、観客の間では試合ごとに賭け金もこっそり動いている。
　観客にタリバンの姿はなかった。観客らは、タリバンは肉体的接触を伴う競技は避けていると語った。
　ある審判は「われわれは自分たちのために大会を運営している」と話した。「タリバンのためではない」【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】

〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2021/09/29-10:25）

Every weekend, fighters from around Afghanistan gather on a public field in the capital to pit their skills against each other in a sport that is a mix of judo and wrestling.
The informal gatherings attract big partisan crowds, with fans cheering for their favourites -- usually someone from their home district -- and jeering those they want to see lose.
I have been fighting for 17 years, said Mohammad Atef, a well-built 31-year-old from Samangan province in northern Afghanistan, after disposing of his opponent with an expert throw.
It is popular is Samangan, Kunduz, Baghlan -- and there are many famous wrestlers in Sheberghan too.
Judo and wresting are particularly popular in the north, with villages and districts producing local champions they put forward for regional contests and even national glory.
The discipline the Afghans follow on the dusty field is a mix of both, with referees to make sure an obscure set of rules is followed and to declare a winner.
Bouts are usually settled quickly -- a fight rarely lasts longer than a minute or two -- with opponents giving each other a sporting hug no matter the result.
Today my competitor was from Kunduz, said Atef after disposing of his rival with an acrobatic throw.
I used a spiral technique and I finally defeated him.
Matches are made by promoters who choose opponents based on a combination of weight and record.
There is a small purse for the winner and although gambling is officially banned by the Taliban, it is clear side bets are made on the bouts -- with money furtively changing hands between wily old spectators after each fight.
Hekmat, a 21-year-old also from Samangan, is just starting his career and was beaming after his first victory at the weekend.
It is around 10 years that I am wrestling... from childhood, he told AFP.
I have just come to Kabul in recent months after I have wrestled in other provinces and districts.
There was no sign of the Taliban in the crowd gathered in Kabul -- those present say the group eschews physical contests.
We organise this ourselves, said one referee. This is not for the Taliban.