Dos grupos de personas tirando de una cuerda, cada uno por un extremo, para comprobar cuál de ellos termina arrastrando al otro. Explicado así suena simple y remite incluso a juegos infantiles, pero la cosa se va complicando según se regula. Porque esos grupos deben estar formados por siete tiradores y un zaguero, con un solo reserva. Porque esa cuerda debe ser una soga de 32 metros de largo y entre 32 y 40 centímetros de ancho. Porque ese arrastre debe ser de cuatro metros, aunque también se gana la tirada cuando los jueces entiendan que el rival ha cometido tres infracciones de una relación que incluye sentarse, utilizar el suelo como apoyo, escorarse o subir la cuerda... Porque, en fin, el juego de la soga, el tira y afloja, la batalla de fuerza, el sokatira o la cinchada, que todas esas denominaciones adopta ('tug of war' en inglés, de ahí que las siglas de la Federación Internacional sean TWIF), es un deporte establecido por todo el planeta, que en su día fue incluso olímpico... y que la próxima semana vivirá en Getxo su campeonato del mundo 'outdoor' (modalidad de tierra).
Linked to ancient rituals, the concrete origin of a discipline is not clear for which in any case regulations were developed in the nineteenth century, so that it could be included in the Games from 1900 to 1920.We had to wait 40 more years for the aforementioned Federation and another four to be born to play the first international championship, specifically in Malmoe, where in addition to the host Sweden, combined from Denmark, Holland and Great Britain participated.In 1985 the participation of women was officially allowed, in 2002 the TWIF found the recognition of the International Olympic Committee, waiting for a new translation in upcoming appointments, and since 2010 the mixed teams were created.
Actually Getxo's appointment was set by 2020 (the previous World Cup had been played two years earlier in Cabo Cabo), but the pandemic then forced the postponement just like now forces to configure a different championship for the context."It has been a challenge for the health situation that we live.In case it is worth the figure, a participation was expected that was around 1.500 athletes but it is assumed that it is finally reduced to 580.The effort is tremendous, with new protocols, so that the participants (to whom a negative PCR will be required) will remain isolated and without contact with the exterior, from the hotel to the headquarters and from the headquarters to the hotel.No tourism, unfortunately.The same happens with the public: the capacity is limited and the tickets can be reserved in advance until today (they are still on time), five euros per session.That headquarters is by the way the Sports Park of Fadura, a few 15 kilometers from Bilbao, which was already the scene of the first World Cup in rubber mode, 30 years ago, and of a second championship, this one on land, 26 ago 26 ago.
As for clubs, which will compete for the first two days (Thursday 16 and Friday 17), 39 have signed up when the usual.As for teams (Saturday 18 and Sunday 19), the incorporation of South Africa and the withdrawal of Ireland, both at the last minute, both for issues related to the coronavirus, leaves the relationship in 16, adding to the aforementioned Belgium, China Taiepi, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Slovenia, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and Basque Country.
As today everything is polarized, as this report intends to adhere to sport, it should be clarified that this participation of Euskadi is endorsed by the Constitutional Court, which in two sentences of almost a decade ago approved the representation of autonomic federations in international official competitions alwaysAnd when the national team is not present.In that sense there is free via because, beyond the fact that it has participated in a minor competition, Spain does not even have its own federation.Something similar would happen with the lifting of stones (Harri Jasotzea) and the cutting of trunks with Sierra (Tontza) or with ax (Aizkora).
Returning to the competitive format, when the organization refers to computing is attending to the World Games that will be held next year in Birmingham (United States).This is a multi -sports event in which athletes from all over the planet participate and whose disciplines have to leave precisely those that are not included in the Olympic Games...With what there is hole for rope.Among those of Getxo three categories will be qualifying for the Alabama event: the first six nations will obtain the ticket...provided there are at least nine who have competed.
The rivals, by the way, will have to fight from both sides (the dimensions of the field are 100x40), so that if there is a draw the resolution comes out of a third run...With the places chosen this time by raffle.There is no record for the effect for a sport that already has 73 members through TWIF, but there are those who say that in some cases almost three hours have been necessary to find a winner.Be that as it may, the Sokatira becomes stronger.It is, never better, a sport with pull.
Five of the eight categories that form the program for both clubs and selections are reserved for exclusively male teams (720, 680, 640 -classification for the World Games-, 600 -Fara Sub23- and 560 kilos), while two others areFor female combination (540 -classification- and 500) and one has a mixed character (580 -classification too-) that is already common in the Sokatira, as can be seen for example in the image that accompanies these lines, corresponding to the World Cupwhich was held three years ago in Cabo Cabo.This question of the categories sent to a weight that results from adding that of each of the eight members of the set turns food into another key factor when preparing a championship like Getxo.That is why an official weighing will be produced before the competition, specifically on Wednesday 15, which will have continuity in the approval of the rigid boots that each athlete will wear (in the case of the Indoor modality, on rubber, it would be about red -sined shoes).
