Wrestling, a game contested for prizes or just for prestige, has existed in almost every civilization, ancient and modern. Some forms of wrestling developed out of unarmed combat arts, subsequently altered into nonlethal forms to be sporting events. Other games evolved as simple contests of strength. What we recognize as wrestling in the Olympics or in college sports is only one variation of a game that is played worldwide.
Western European Wrestling
Freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling are the two international styles that have been included in the Olympics since the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens. American collegiate wrestling developed out of Colonial American folk-style wrestling. These three styles are distantly similar to localized wrestling styles that developed in a variety of farming communities. Lancashire catch wrestling is one of the more famous forms of this kind of wrestling, which developed out of contests at Lancashire wool fairs.
Judo
Judo is a Japanese sport and martial art that evolved out of unarmed battlefield techniques known collectively as jujutsu. Jujutsu emphasized grappling and throwing techniques, which were more effective than punching and kicking when faced with armored opponents. In 1882, Jigoro Kano systematized jujutsu techniques and Zen philosophy into a form that would train athletes both physically and spiritually. Mitsuyo Maeda, an early student of Jigoro Kane, moved to Brazil and taught specialized ground-fighting techniques to the Gracie family, giving rise to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Glima
Glima is an ancient Scandinavian style of wrestling that is still practiced in Iceland. The earliest mention of glima comes from a Norse myth about the god Thor; the manuscript recording this myth is from around A.D. 1220. A glima match begins with the opponents already grasping each other. They then fight to throw each other to the ground. Modern glima has three possible starting grips, but the ancient style seems to begin with a bear hug.
Mongolian Wrestling
Mongolia has a traditional form of wrestling known as Bokh, which is contested alongside archery and horseback riding in the national Naadam celebration. The object of this style of wrestling is to force your opponent's elbow or knee to touch the ground. Unlike many other forms of wrestling, there are no time limits or weight classes. There is evidence of Bokh as early as the Chinese Han dynasty, which would make the game more than 2,000 years old.
References
- Wrestling Talk: NBC's History of Modern Olympic Wrestling
- Made Man: Folkstyle Wrestling History; Dee Jones; February 21, 2011
- Submission Fighting UK: Lancashire Catch Wrestling; Dave Turton
- "Aikido Journal"; Jujutsu and Taijutsu; Meik Skoss; 1995
- The Kodokan Judo Institute: History of Kodokan Judo
- Shen Wu Martial Arts: History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; Tim Cartmell
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