New Sport To Make Debut At Macalester College

ST. PAUL (WJON News) -- A new sport will make its world premiere at Macalester College in St. Paul on Thursday. Chess Wrestling will make its debut at 8:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center. Chess Wrestling is just what it says a combination of chess and wrestling.

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Athletes compete in alternating rounds of speed chess and wrestling until they win by checkmate or win the wrestling match. Event Organizer Sofia Doroshenko says the event is small right now but she thinks it will be big in the future:

"Slowly I think it's going to blow up especially once we have the recording afterwards because a lot of people want to see it so I think in the future it could become a more common sport because chess boxing is way more obscure just because of how dangerous it is and wrestling is also way more accessible."

She says the event came together fast:

"This is like a prototype of the event but I'm hoping to do like a bigger one next year because I was gone for study abroad so that's why I was only able to figure something out this last semester so with finals it's going to be a little bit hectic but I'm glad that some people were interested and hopefully we have a good turnout from the community and what not too, it will be super fun."

Doroshenko says they have 5 matches right now but hope to add more before Thursday and they have a national grand master competing.

She says they have a mix of women and men wrestlers ready to take part. The event is free to attend and will be available to see online a few days later on their Instagram account macwomenswrestling, and at chess.com.

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