Every year, men from Austria's Salzburg region grapple with each other in a natural arena at the top of the Hundstein Mountain, at 2,000 meters altitude, in a traditional martial arts contest. The Celtic wrestling tradition, which was included in UNESCO's cultural heritage list in 2010, goes back more than 500 years.
Guenther Heim, a veteran wrestler, said: "Originally the Hundstoa (Hundstein) was a holy mountain of the Celts, who immigrated here in the Fifth Century B.C. They brought iron, tools, sheep and cows with them and also the Ranggeln sport."
The difference between Celtic wrestling and classical wrestling is simple, he said.
"The Greek and the Romans wrestled bare-chested, and the Celts with their clothes on. This has lasted until today," he added.
According to Reuters, children from the age of six are allowed to take part but only wrestlers aged 19 or older and from the Salzburg region can compete for the prize of the Hagmoar, a flag.
This year, 90 applicants showed their skills. The most important skills needed to win are: a good grip, a firm stand and lots of strength. In the end, 25-year-old Christoph Eberl took the title. "It's an unbelievable feeling. You work for years to achieve this success and when it happens you almost can't believe it. It's awesome. Just beautiful."
