Wrestling

Wrestling is a versatile grappling Martial Art that makes use of a variety of techniques to gain a superior position over an opponent. This Martial Art is not to be confused with professional wrestling which is famous for its entertainment value rather than true combat characteristics.

Greco-Roman and Free Style Wrestling are combat sport versions that are featured in the Olympic games.

Country of Origin

Greece

Primary Focus

Joint-locks, Takedowns, Throwing

Orientation

Sport, Self-defence

Type

External

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Brief History

Wrestling dates back to ancient Greece and Rome and was contested as a sport in the ancient Olympic games. Forms of Wrestling are even depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics and are referenced in ancient scriptures. This Martial Art was also used by ancient Greek soldiers as a form of hand-to-hand combat.

Wrestling gained in popularity, especially in countries such as France, Japan, and England. The Martial then found its way to America through English settlers who found commonality with the Native American Tribes that also employed their own version of wrestling.

The Martial Arts then gained even more popularity, becoming a part of demonstrations at carnivals, holiday celebrations and military exhibitions.

wrestling history

Aspects

Throws
Takedown
Pins
Joint locks
Clinch Fighting

wrestling throw

The Martial Art in Practice

Practitioners of wrestling require lots of strength, stamina, and agility. Wrestlers use a variety of grappling techniques such as throws, takedowns, joint locks, pins, and clinch fighting to gain control of their opponent. Opponents are generally neutralised via pins, submission and to a lesser degree choking.

A fundamental element to wrestling is the ability to escape after being attacked by an opponent and then counterattacking in order to gain a dominant position to pin or force the opponent into submission.

Styles

Collegiate or Folk – practised mainly in scholastic institutions allows for the use of legs in offence or defence. Less emphasis is placed on throwing techniques. This style originated from Catch wrestling. Its chief aim is to take an opponent down and pin the opponent.
Free Style – Almost identical to Folk Style Wrestling, this style originated from Catch Wrestling allows the use of legs in offence and defence and its chief aim is to take down and pin the opponent. Free Style Wrestling is versatile as it incorporates techniques from traditional wrestling, Judo and Sambo.
Greco-Roman – holds below the waist are prohibited and throws are emphasised in this style
Catch – Also knows as Catch-as-catch-can Wrestling emphasises a loose-hold system where competitors wrestle on all fours on the ground. Bouts in this style are typically won via submission or pin after wrestling on the ground to take hold of limbs for twisting and dislocation.
Submission - emphasis on clinch and ground fighting with the aim of gaining a favourable position to execute a technique which forces the opponent into submission.

wrestling submission