Announcement
Wrestling is considered man’s oldest sport and was apart of the ancient Olympics. Wrestling styles and various forms are as different as the cultures that exist here on Earth. Scholars believe wrestling and its many cousins derived as a defensive mechanism to stay alive, thrive, and flourish. Not only was wrestling used as a combative tactic to preserve life, it was also used to strengthen the mind, body, and spirit. Many of the topics alluded to above will be discussed below.As early as 3400 BC on the continent of Africa, Egyptians were practicing wrestling as a combative skill used to thwart enemies. Soon the Egyptians began to use wrestling as a sport and performed in front of the Pharaohs. Many of these practices and competitions can be seen on the tomb walls of Beni-Hasan, Vizier Ptahhaotpe, Ramesses 3 temple Medinet Habu and other middle Egyptian kingdoms.
Wrestling also has been found in neighboring countries of Africa such as Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. Dating back to 2600 BC, a vase found near Baghdad depicting wrestlers was unearthed. The traditional Turkish style of wrestling, called Kuresh, uses oil on the bodies of competitors to make holds harder to apply. The Iranian style of wrestling, called Paklewani, is also a traditional form that dates back 1000 years. Both the Turks and the Iranians enjoy success today in wrestling with wrestling being the national sport in Iran.
Collegiate
Wrestling in Great Britain dates back to 1829 BC. Many of the styles of wrestling were named after the region where they were developed such as: Cornwall, Cumberland, Westmoreland, & Lancashire. Catch-as-catch-can, a no holds barred forerunner of freestyle wrestling, was said to be developed in Lancashire. Some of these forms of wrestling were called simply strong arm fighting. Scottish wrestlers compete to this day in their Highland Games.
Scandinavian wrestling dates back to the Viking age of 4000 years ago. Glima and Schwingen are two popular styles of wrestling from Sweden and Iceland. Glima is similar to Sumo but wrestlers where trousers and grab belts for control.
It is written that the original Greek Olympics, held in Europe, were started because Zeus and Cromus wrestled for control of the universe. The Greek Olympics were to commemorate Zeus’ victory and began around the 8th century. Wrestling was considered one of the most important Olympic sports held. Records of the first wrestling style champions in the Greek Olympics, known as Ortopali, date back to 708 BC.
Judo
Pankration, wrestling mixed with kicking, punching, and striking was also apart of the early Greek Olympics of 648 BC. This combative sport used rope tied around the fist lined with spikes to penetrate opponents. Today, this sport may seem similar to the Ultimate Fighting Championships were just about anything goes. Many participants were injured and even died during Pankration competition.Around 2 BC, the Roman Empire conquered Greece and forever changed the sport. The Greek style of wrestling had a lot of ground wrestling which was unexciting for spectators (a theme that will be later seen). The Roman style of wrestling had more upright wrestling and spectacular throws from the feet. When these two styles merged, the forerunner of Greco-Roman wrestling was created.
Death was not feared and it was a sign of courage during early Olympia wrestling competition. It was common for losers of competitions or wrestlers who died to be seen as courageous. This idea spawned man wrestling beast to test his physical nature and prowess. African lions were often brought in as man’s supreme opponent.
Jujitsu
Several other styles of wrestling or grappling were developed in Asia. Sumo, Jujitsu, and Judo were all variants of wrestling developed in Japan. Sumo dates back to 23 BC and wrestlers are often 300-400 lbs. Jujitsu was developed by Samurai around 1600 AD and was used when swords were unavailable in close contact. Judo, a daughter of Jujitsu, was founded in 1850 and has been an Olympic sport since the 1964. Both sports use submission holds to subdue opponents while wearing judogis (heavy canvass like jacket). India and China also offered unique wrestling styles. Indians had a distinct style known as Pahalwani or Mallavidya that dates back to 11 AD. Hinduism is linked to this form of wrestling and training was in the temples or gyms known as Akharas. Indians felt that strengthening the mind, body, and spirit could be accomplished through wrestling and training. China offered wrestling sports such as Choa Shua, Sanda, & Chin-Na. Some of these styles used jackets like judogis and are closely linked to Tibet and the Mogul Empire. China also is linked to several other styles of wrestling.
With the expansion of the Roman Empire in Europe around 125 AD, the catch-as-catch-can style, a no holds barred forerunner of freestyle wrestling, became popular as did the Olympic Games.
During the middle ages in Europe, wrestling was akin to knightly skill mainly due to combative tactics that secured kingdoms and the like. Kings of Europe were known to compete against each other most notably King Henry VIII of England & King Francis of France.
Sombo
The Americas also practiced wrestling as a recreational sport. Native Americans enjoyed the sport and combative training of wrestling prior to America being “discovered”. Seven American presidents are also known to have been skilled wrestlers; two of the presidents were George Washington & Abraham Lincoln and they practiced catch-as-catch-can. Catch-as-catch-can was a British variant of wrestling that included neck cranks, toe holds, bent arm and leg locks, & other submission holds. Applying many of these holds took a really long time (boring for spectators) and were deemed too dangerous for the wrestlers health and welfare so the holds were barred. Around that same time, wrestling saw its popularity as a spectator sport decline. Rules were changed to make the sport more people friendly and today we have "Professional Wrestling" which has many scripted and acted displays of sport, performance, and entertainment.
Most nations of this world have some form of wrestling and the former Soviet Union is no exception. During the “Cold War”, folkstyle championships and exhibitions were given to display the diverse styles like tchidaoba from Georgia, kokh from Amernia, gulech from Azerbaidjan, kurach from Uzbekistan, & kurek from Kazakhstan. The Russians are also credited with founding sombo in 1938. Sombo (aka somba, sambo, cambo) is a self-defense strategy turned to sport that combines elements from freestyle & Greco-Roman wrestling, Judo, and Jujitsu.
Freestyle
Today, the International Amateur Wrestling Federation (FILA) recognizes 3 of the 160 grappling styles as wrestling sports holding world championships. Freestyle, Greco-Roman, & Sombo are internationally recognized by FILA and have world championships. Judo & Jujitu also has world championships but are considered sports in their own right. Judo, Jujitsu, and Sombo all have there own international governing bodies, as do freestyle & Greco-Roman wrestling.Most experts in the USA recognize collegiate or folkstyle, freestyle, & Greco-Roman as wrestling. Many American’s at the grass roots level and into college wrestle folkstyle while transitioning into freestyle and Greco-Roman later on or after high school. This is because primarily collegiate scholarships can be awarded for folkstyle or collegiate style wrestling. Currently, freestyle and Greco-Roman grappling are the Olympic sports for wrestling. As stated earlier, Judo is also an Olympic sport and is considered a grappling sport but not necessarily wrestling.
References
History of Wrestling
All In Wrestling - Submission Wrestling
History of Wrestling
The Oldest Sport
Does It Matter if Judo is a Martial Art or a Sport?
The History of Sombo
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