Zodog / Shuudag (Wrestling Attire)
Зодог / Шуудаг
The traditional costume of Mongolian wrestling (bökh), consisting of an open-front vest and tight shorts.
Quick Facts
Definition
Zodog and shuudag together form the traditional attire worn in Mongolian national wrestling (bökh). The zodog is a short, long-sleeved vest with an open front, which allows the wrestler free arm movement while also exposing the upper body. The shuudag, by contrast, are tight-fitting, brief-style shorts that prevent an opponent from grabbing the clothing, ensuring that victory is decided purely by technique and strength. According to a traditional legend, the open-front cut of the zodog arose after a disguised woman once won a tournament in history – since then, wrestlers must compete with an exposed chest so that a similar situation cannot happen again. Both garments are an integral part of the Naadam festival, Mongolia's largest sporting celebration, where bökh wrestling, together with archery and horse racing, forms the three main disciplines.