KIRIBATI - Wrestling
Kiribati Wrestling Association
P.O. Box 234, BIKENIBEU,
KIRIBATI
tel. - (686) 28 071
fax - (686) 28 334
E-mail - KIR@fila-wrestling.com
Contact Name :
Sam Vandergaw
Phone number :
(686) 28 455
Postal Address :
P.O. Box 260
Bikenibeu, Tarawa
Republic of Kiribati
Central Pacific via Fiji
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History
Wrestling has a long history in the Republic of Kiribati. The local style of wrestling, called boumwane, is played for important events such as during Independence Celebrations.
The outcome of the Boumwane is determined by the winner forcing his opponent's hand or knee to the ground. Matches are held on open ground and usually are short lived. The I-Kiribati are anxious to begin an International Style Wrestling Program.
In early 2003, a Peace Corps Volunteer with wrestling experience arrived on Tarawa. After borrowing martial arts mats and a room from the Kiribati National Police Training Center, a handful of I-Kiribati men have begun to learn about freestyle wrestling.
We are hoping in the future to attain mats for both practice and competition with the goal of participating in Oceania Competitions soon.
