Tug of War is an ancient sport. And the sport was named as Tug of War which originated from an old word ”Pulling competition” and here the meaning of ‘Tug’ is the synonyms for ‘Pull’. Ancient people tried to organize a pulling competition which needs strong powers and standed for the jehad between justice and evil.
The symbols of Tug of War were found in the tomb in Egypt Cairo and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Gradually, the ceremony of competition was developed to a competition depends on strength simplely and spreaded to all around the world. The competition to test men’s strength and power became one of event of the ancient Olympic Games.
Tug of War is also one of event when the first modern Olympic Game was held at the end of 19 century. And it also concluded in the next 5 Olympic Games. Unfortunately some team competitions including Tug of War were cancelled by International Olympic Committee (IOC) because of large scale of Olympics.
However, Tug of War Competition was still popular around the world. Some countries established their own national Tug of War associations to organize the contest.
The Tug-of-War International Federation (TWIF) was formed in 1960 to govern the sport on an international level, under the stewardship of George Hutton of the Great Britain Association and Rudolf Ullmark of Sweden. Most people know Tug of War in schools when they are still a child but for international Tug of War competition, it is not a sport for children but a non-contact team sport where two teams with equal members are put to test against each other in a sheer show of strength. The competition has strict rules to guarantee the justice of the sport.
According to the rules of competitive Tug of War, each team is made up of eight players. However, the combined weight of these eight players should not exceed the weight determined for that particular category. There are three categories: Junior, Under 23, and Senior, which are further classified into different weight classes, ranging from the Ultra Featherweight class (junior women), where the team weight should not exceed 480 kg or 1,058 lb., to Catch weight class, where there is no weight limit.
The rules are simple and clear. Two teams should compete in the length of four meters. Once both teams are ready, the referee will say 'Pick up the rope', 'Take the string', 'Steady', and 'Pull' (or blow the whistle). When the referee says pull, the teams can start pulling the rope into their territory. Members should pull rope with their hands and only their feet can catch the ground. Any post like sitting will be warned. If members be warned for three times, he or she will be cancelled competition qualification.
Although the rules are simple, it still needs numerous strategies and skills and teamwork is the most important part in the competition.
There is no change in Tug of War sport but the participators are stronger.
With the improvement of athletes’ physical situation, their technics becomes dynamic compared to the fixed form before. No expensive equipment are needed, while Tug of Shoes play an important role in competition. Outdoor Tug of War was made on the basis of the boots used in Skating and Roller Skating. Indoor Tug of War shoes is the sneakers with rubber sole. Point redemption scheme is adopted in Tug of War competition. It was classified to quarter-finals, semis-finals and finals. The marks are tracked by computer and then to show final competition results.
Large screen is used by International Tug of War so that spectators can see the competition process clearly and simultaneously. Many skills should be applied to Tug of War Competition but unremitting efforts to build body was the key to win the game.
Athletes have to enhance the training of muscle to strengthen their power and endurance if they want to win. Tug of War is not a sport for individual and a strong player cannot decide the result of the competition. Only when the eight stronger players cooperated, can they finally win. The essence of Tug of War is a team sport, so players should be pay attention to the whole power of the team when they are trained.
The Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) accepted by Olympic Games Committee and then became the 53-member international governing body for the sport. The sport of Tug of War and the other over 30 programmes have been included in World Games since 1981.
In the opening ceremony of Word Games in 2001, a giant rope which was brought to stadium symbolized the log history of Tug of War in Japan and also remaindered people that Tug of War was one of the events in the first World Games.
In 2005, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge participated in the World Games held in Germany Bottrop and emphasized the Olympic Games Committee support to the World Games. The World Games was held every four years. For team event, only the top six teams can only attend the formal competition. So every team in group games of International Tug of War tries their best to fight for the top six so that to attend the next World Games.
Tug of War is a sport combined with physical strength and spirits. It is also a team sport and numerous athletes became sport stars. The most valuable part of the sport might be the high cooperation of members in one team.