Information and historical background
History of Greco-Roman wrestling
The roots of modern Greco-Roman wrestling go back to ancient times. In 708 BC, wrestling was included in the program of the Olympic Games. At first it was an integral part of the classical Greek pentathlon - pentathlon, which consisted of running, long jump, discus and javelin throwing, as well as wrestling, which was the original number of the entire competition.
It is believed that the foremother of modern Greco-Roman wrestling was Greek wrestling.
Images on vases and literature indicate the technique of wrestlers and the permitted techniques. There are well-known drawings in which wrestlers, resting their outstretched fingers in the sand and clinging to the ground with their toes, carefully watch each other in order to seize the moment and grab the opponent by the arms, hips or back of the head. For a long time it was believed that in wrestling they were allowed any techniques: blows, grabbing the throat, breaking fingers... However, further research showed that such techniques were prohibited. Moreover, only those who had not sullied their honor with immoral actions were allowed to participate in fights. Wrestlers who violated the rules or disagreed with the judges' decisions, or who showed disrespect towards their opponents and spectators were severely punished. That is, wrestling at the ancient Olympic Games was, as they say, pure wrestling. Its first rules were created by the Greek athlete Theseus.
Next The most important stage in the formation of modern Greco-Roman wrestling was Western Europe at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries. It is known that then there were two styles of wrestling: one - with trips, throwing over the head and head strikes, the other - purely power, reminiscent of Russian wrestling "in a fight" and partly modern Greco-Roman, but only in its power techniques. A wrestler thrown to the ground was considered defeated.
The main scene of action was the farcical stage of the south of France, from where the struggle came to Paris, where it finally took shape and began its journey around the world.
Therefore, France is rightly called the cradle of Greco-Roman wrestling. It is no coincidence that for more than half a century it was called “French,” and its terminology everywhere became exclusively French.
The end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries was the time of the greatest heyday of the struggle in Paris. Competitions began to move into international, world and European championships, in which wrestlers from many countries took part. But France remained the trendsetter in the struggle. Not only because championships, competitions and matches all over the world followed the French model. For world recognition and glory, the path of a professional wrestler had to pass through Paris itself.
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, an endless series of championships began in all cities of France and, perhaps, throughout Western Europe. Moreover, this time before the First World War can be safely called the era of professional wrestling, which seemingly captured the entire civilized world. As they said then, fighters were placed above monarchs.
In 1896, French wrestling was included in the program of the first modern Olympic Games. Then the International Olympic Committee, in order to give amateur wrestling an international character as a sport, officially called it Greco-Roman. Only five wrestlers came to the first Games in Athens, representing four countries - Greece, Germany, Hungary and Great Britain. It’s strange that there were no Frenchmen among them... Maybe because France was in the grip of professional wrestling and its unconditional dominance in it, which forced the French to look down on the rest of the world and on the amateur sporting novelty - the Olympic Games?.. As if there it was, but since then Greco-Roman wrestling, with the exception of two Olympics (1900, 1904), has invariably been included in the program of Olympic competitions.
The history of not only Greco-Roman wrestling, but also the history of wrestling in Russia originates on the banks of the Neva, in St. Petersburg , where in 1885 the “Circle of Weightlifting Sports Lovers” was opened. Its founder, Dr. Vladislav Kraevsky, is an iconic figure in the history of Russian sports, which he entered as the “father of Russian athletics.” The asceticism of Vladislav Kraevsky gave a powerful impetus to the development of strength sports in Russia, primarily weightlifting, as well as professional and amateur wrestling. The first training sessions in wrestling were conducted in Dr. Kraevsky’s circle by the famous European wrestler and coach Vladislav Pytlyasinsky. This happened in 1892.
The development of French wrestling in Russia gave the world the greatest professional wrestlers. Georg Gakkenschmidt, Ivan Zaikin, Klimenty Buhl, Ivan Shemyakin, Ivan Lebedev, Temirbolat Kanukov, Georg Lurich and, of course, the “champion of champions” Ivan Poddubny - these and other names of Russian wrestlers were well known in the world.
In 1898, Georg Hackenschmidt won the title of the first European champion in Greco-Roman wrestling. This amateur tournament was held in Vienna and brought together eleven athletes from three countries - Austria, Germany and Russia. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, the performances of the “Russian Lion,” as the Baltic German Georg Hackenschmidt was called, captivated the audience with beauty and drama.
And the first Russian wrestler to become world champion among amateurs was Georgy Bauman (1892-?) from St. Petersburg. He won his gold medal in 1913 in Breslau (Germany) in the weight category up to 75 kilograms.
By this time, amateur wrestling was firmly rooted in Russia, because the first All-Russian amateur championship was held in St. Petersburg back in 1897. Eight wrestlers took part in it: seven from St. Petersburg and one from Riga. Alexander Shmeling (St. Petersburg) became the first champion of Russia.
1897 and is considered the beginning of the development of amateur wrestling in Russia.
Until 1917, seven amateur wrestling championships took place here. The last, seventh, tournament, which took place in Moscow, completed the history of wrestling in pre-revolutionary Russia, which by that time had many glorious pages. It already had its own champions and prize-winners of European and world tournaments, as well as the Olympic Games.
Russian wrestlers entered the international Olympic arena in 1908. At the IV Olympic Games in London, Nikolai Orlov (welterweight, in which 25 participants from ten countries competed) and Alexander Petrov (heavy weight, seven participants from four countries) won the first Olympic awards in the history of Russian sports - silver medals.
Russia's official participation in the Olympic movement dates back to 1912, when not individual wrestlers, but the Russian team took part in the V Olympic Games in Stockholm (Sweden).
Experts assessed the performance of the Russian team at the Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1912 as unsuccessful, although the Russian wrestlers were not left without a medal. The silver medalist of the Olympics in the middleweight division, in which 38 participants from 14 countries competed, was Martin Klein, an Estonian by nationality, a messenger for the Sanitas sports society from St. Petersburg. His semi-final meeting with two-time world champion Finn Alfred Assikainen took place on July 14, 1912 and turned into one of the most striking events of the Olympics: the fight lasted 11 hours and 40 minutes!.. The fight between Klein and Assikainen went down in the history of sports wrestling as the longest. He was even included in the Guinness Book of Records, but the Olympic Committee did not allow such situations anymore. The time of fights was limited, and medals were not awarded without a fight.
By the beginning of the First World War in Russia there were about twenty sports organizations cultivating wrestling, and the total number of amateurs was 250-300 people. In 1914, the All-Russian Weightlifting Union adopted international wrestling rules. From this year, all competitions in Russia were held in five weight categories: bantamweight, light, medium, light heavy, heavy. Before this, there were no uniform rules, and even in the same city, competitions could be held differently.
After the October Revolution and the Civil War, wrestling as a sport recovered quite quickly. However, she did not die, because the same circus performances with constant fights of famous wrestlers were in demand in the most difficult years. Neither hunger nor devastation could kill the people's desire for a bright and dynamic spectacle. In addition, the Red Army adopted the struggle: the fighters of the young republic trained in the military sports clubs of Vseobuch.
The first USSR Greco-Roman wrestling championship took place in December 1924 in Kyiv. 41 athletes took part in it. The title of champion was competed in five weight categories. The wrestlers had two bouts of 20 minutes each. If during this period none of the opponents achieved a clear victory, a draw was recognized. If there was a technical advantage, the wrestler received half a victory, the other - half a defeat. The first champions of the USSR were: Alexey Zhelnin (bantamweight, Leningrad), Vladimir Ivanov (lightweight, Moscow), Pyotr Makhnitsky (middleweight, Kiev), Nikolai Sashko (light heavyweight, Kiev) and Dmitry Gorin (heavyweight, Kiev).
Since 1933, the country's Greco-Roman wrestling championships have been held annually. In addition, in 1939 the first competition for the title of absolute champion of the USSR took place. Ten of the country's strongest wrestlers took part in it. They fought in a round-robin system, each with each other. The winner was the young light heavyweight Konstantin Koberidze (87.5 kg), ahead of the heavyweights of 110-120 kilograms. Later, the title of absolute champion was played four more times, and in all these tournaments one person won: the future Olympic champion Johannes Kotkas.
1947 turned out to be a particularly eventful year for wrestling events, when the USSR Wrestling Federation joined the International Wrestling Federation - FILA. USSR champions began to be awarded with gold medals, and prize-winners with silver and bronze tokens. At the same time, the first all-Union youth competitions in Greco-Roman wrestling took place. Well, the most important event of this year was the participation of the country’s national team in the XXVIII European Championship, which was held in Prague. Before this, international connections and performances of Soviet wrestlers were sporadic.
The debut on the European carpet turned out to be extremely successful. Not only did the Soviet wrestlers take second place in the team competition, losing only two points to the very strong Swedish team. In addition, they won three gold, silver and bronze medals in the individual championship. The champions were Nikolai Belov (79 kg), Konstantin Koberidze (87 kg) and Johannes Kotkas (over 87 kg); the silver medal was awarded to Aram Yaltaryan; bronze - to Vyacheslav Kozharsky. In addition, Nikolai Belov was awarded a special prize for the best technique.
With these victories on the European mat, the triumphant march of the Soviet school of classical wrestling around the world began. This is exactly how in 1948 the All-Union Committee on Physical Culture and Sports began to officially call Greco-Roman wrestling (Russia returned to this name in 1991).
Particular success accompanied the Soviet wrestlers at the XV Olympic Games in Helsinki. This was the first participation of the Soviet team in the Olympics of modern times.
Gold medals were won by classical style wrestlers Boris Gurevich (52 kg), Yakov Punkin (62 kg), Shazam Safin (67 kg), Johannes Kotkas (over 87 kg). Shalva Chikhladze (up to 87 kg) received a silver medal, and Artyom Teryan (57 kg) and Nikolai Belov (up to 79 kg) received bronze medals. Then only Semyon Marushkin (up to 73 kg), who took fourth place, was left without a medal. It is clear that with such results, the Soviet team in classical wrestling, led by Honored Coach of the USSR Vakhtang Kukhianidze, confidently took first place, immediately displacing the recognized world favorites - wrestlers from Finland, Sweden, Hungary and Turkey.
More than sixty years have passed since then. Over the entire history of the modern Olympic Games - from 1896 to 2012 - Russian, Soviet and Russian Greco-Roman wrestling athletes won 46 gold, 23 silver and 18 bronze medals. Since 1996, when Russia began competing at the Olympic Games as a separate national team (1996 - 2012), its Greco-Roman wrestlers have won 10 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals. Including, at the last Olympic Games in London - two, one and two medals, respectively. Alan Khugaev (weight category up to 84 kg) and Siberian Roman Vlasov (up to 74 kg) became Olympic champions here.
Russia has an equally outstanding list of awards in other world Greco-Roman wrestling tournaments. First of all, these are world championships. The first for the Soviet team was the World Championship in Naples (Italy) in 1953. 208 wrestlers from 21 countries took part in the competition. Soviet wrestlers won five gold, one silver and one bronze medals. Here are the first world champions: Boris Gurevich (52 kg), Artyom Teryan (57 kg), Gurgen Shatvoryan (73 kg), Givi Kartozia (79 kg), August Englas (87 kg). In the team competition, the USSR team then came out on top.
The most titled Russians in the Greco-Roman style are two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion Valery Ryazantsev, two-time Olympic champion Alexander Kolchinsky, Olympic champion and five-time world champion Nikolai Balboshin, Olympic champions and three-time world champions Anatoly Kolesov and Mikhail Mamiashvili.
A special place in the star ranks of Russian Greco-Roman wrestlers is occupied by the only three-time Olympic champion and nine-time world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, Alexander Karelin, who was awarded the title of Hero of Russia after his performance at the Olympic Games in Atlanta (1966).
First Olympic champion In Greco-Roman wrestling in the Krasnoyarsk region, Alexei Shumakov became the winner, having won his award in 1976 in Montreal. And although at that time Greco-Roman or classical wrestling was not yet included in the program of the School of Higher Sports Excellence (Wrestling Academy), without a doubt, Shumakov represented the Krasnoyarsk wrestling school in Canada.
Only 32 years later the Krasnoyarsk classics were able to repeat the Olympic success. At the Olympic Games in Beijing (2008), Nazir Mankiev and Aslanbek Khushtov rose to the highest step of the podium. At the next Olympic Games - in London - Mingiyan Semyonov became the bronze medalist. In 2013, the young Krasnoyarsk wrestler Nikita Melnikov won the title of world champion in the weight category up to 96 kg. All of them are students of the honored coach of Russia Mikhail Gamzin.
Today the Krasnoyarsk school of Greco-Roman wrestling is one of the most authoritative in Russia. Champions of the Olympic Games, world, Europe, prestigious international tournaments are proof of this.
There are few people who have not heard such names as Poddubny, Yarygin, Karelin, Medved... What unites these people? That's right, they are all outstanding wrestlers. However, there are differences between them professionally, so to speak. For example, the legend of the early 20th century Ivan Poddubny was a prominent representative of Greco-Roman wrestling, and one of the most titled athletes of the recent past, Alexander Medved, won all his victories in freestyle wrestling.
When an inexperienced spectator watches the fights of “freestyle” and “classics” (Greco-Roman wrestling), he involuntarily asks the question - what is the difference between freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman? The wrestlers of these styles are dressed the same, they seem to be “dancing on the mat”, the rules and goals of the fight are the same... Indeed, at first glance, the differences seem to be invisible. However, they exist. And quite significant. But first, a little history.
A little history
Hellas is the cradle of civilization...
The first information about classical wrestling came to us from Ancient Greece. They date back to around 704 BC. e. That year it was included in the Olympic Games for the first time, which indicates its great popularity among the ancient Greeks. Moreover, classical wrestling was included in compulsory military training. It is not surprising that Greek hoplites (heavily armed foot soldiers) were considered invincible in hand-to-hand combat.
After the capture of Hellas by the Romans, the insatiable Empire absorbed all the achievements of Greek civilization, including wrestling. This is where the name that is still in use today comes from – Greco-Roman wrestling. Having adopted from the Greeks the entire technical arsenal of techniques and rules of this force discipline, the Romans added elements of fist fighting to it and successfully demonstrated this hybrid in gladiator fights.
Greco-Roman wrestling finally transformed into its modern form in France in the 19th century, receiving another name - French wrestling. All work in a fight is carried out at the upper level, above the belt (see below for more details). Since then, remaining virtually unchanged, it has taken its rightful place among many modern types of martial arts. Also in our time, its third name has been established - classical wrestling, which is considered official.
Classical wrestling has been continuously present in the program of the Olympic Games since 1898 and rightfully occupies first place among all types of Olympic wrestling disciplines.
The birthplace of not only football and boxing...
Freestyle wrestling has a much shorter pedigree. It originated in the English county of Lancashire in the 18th century. It most likely arose on the basis of the classical one, but in it it was allowed to work with the legs and grab the legs with the hands. Perhaps this is the most important difference between freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling.
Freestyle wrestling quickly spread throughout Europe, then jumped across the ocean, establishing itself in the USA. There it was slightly adjusted and at the same time renamed, calling it “ketch”. Subsequently, ketch increasingly moved away from the traditional “freestyle” style towards “commercial gain”, turning over time into a spectacular and bloody show, little similar to its parent.
Freestyle wrestling appeared at the Olympics in 1904 and has since become a compulsory Olympic discipline. The exceptions were 1906 (extraordinary Olympic Games) and 1912.
Comparison
We have already briefly mentioned the main differences between the mentioned types of martial arts. It's time to look at this in more detail. Moreover, there are other nuances that distinguish these two fighting styles.
Classic
The main goal of the “classic fight” is to put the opponent on his shoulder blades (touche) and hold him in a similar position (several seconds). The fight is carried out both in a standing position and on the ground. The fight lasts 2 periods, each 3 minutes. The break between them is 30 seconds. If none of the wrestlers “lay down”, then the points scored are counted. Points are awarded for throws, holds or correctly performed techniques. If an equal number of points is scored, then additional time is given. If there is equality again, then the judges determine which of the opponents was more active and award him the victory.
Classical wrestling has always been a fight “on the upper floors.” The use of legs during a fight is strictly prohibited. Although their role is huge. In many cases, the outcome of the fight depends on their strength and correct positioning. Almost all throws take place with their participation - from a half-squat, an exit to straight knees followed by a throw. Without proper footwork technique there will be no victory.
However, the viewer's attention is focused on the main action - the work of the hands in the upper part of the body. The fight is carried out with the hands, because they are the ones who work to grab, hold the opponent and carry out throws.
You may get the impression that the main events take place exclusively in the stand-up position, but this is not the case. Yes, a stand-up fight is more spectacular, but its outcome is often decided on the ground. Moreover, the main task of a stand-up confrontation is to take the fight to the ground by any permitted means, naturally gaining an advantage in position. Another thing is that this is not always possible, especially if equal opponents are encountered. But the strategic task of the fight lies precisely in this.
Not only a wrestler’s technical training is of great importance, but also his strength component. Especially if you consider that all grips in Greco-Roman wrestling are used on a naked body, it is not difficult to imagine what kind of hand strength and tenacity of fingers is needed to hold an opponent slippery from sweat and no less strong. If a “classic” is physically weak, then no technique can save him. But putting the main emphasis on developing strength is a bad way. Without good technical training, “bad power” can turn into a minus, not a plus. Everything must be interconnected and harmoniously developed.
A very important factor in a fight is the flexibility of the fighters. It is enough to watch how the wrestlers go to the “bridge”, twist their necks and joints, to understand that without elastic, easily stretchable ligaments it is impossible to win a fight.
The wrestlers' uniform is minimal and consists of wrestling shoes (soft sneakers), swimming trunks and tights. Almost like in Ancient Hellas...
Freestyle
Freestyle wrestling is in many ways similar to its older and more famous sister – classical. Therefore, we will not repeat ourselves and will only focus on the differences between them. Note that the final goal of a freestyle wrestler is the same as that of a classic wrestler - to put the opponent on his shoulder blades. However, a much richer set of techniques is used to achieve this goal. 
The fundamental difference between freestyle wrestling and classical wrestling is the permission to use legs to carry out aggressive actions and techniques. From here, wrestlers have the opportunity to fight at any level and against any part of the body, within the limits of the rules, of course.
A freestyle wrestler can carry out sweeps, trips, throws involving legs, and hand grabs of legs. The leg kick is considered one of the main techniques, and you are guaranteed to see it in any fight of equal strength opponents.
Considering this specificity, a filigree mastery of technique comes to the fore for a freestyle wrestler, because many techniques can be carried out using the laws of physics, where the personal strength of the wrestler no longer plays such a significant role as in Greco-Roman fights.
Note. This point is well illustrated by an extensive group of techniques, united by approximately the following technical text: “...knocking down with a leg grab and a hook...”. Here, physical laws are used to the maximum, and a wrestler who is significantly inferior to his opponent in strength training can perform a technique of this kind.
However, all of the above does not mean that it is enough for a freestyle wrestler to perfectly study the fighting technique - and he can start defeating everyone. In any type of martial arts, there are a number of techniques where the fighter’s physical strength is at least on the same level as technical skills, and in some cases comes out on top. Therefore, in order to achieve stable results against strong opponents, a freestyle wrestler is recommended to have the same strength training as a classic wrestler.
Now let’s make a short summary of the information provided and place it in the table.
Table
| Greco-Roman wrestling | Freestyle wrestling |
| Originated in Ancient Hellas more than 700 years BC. e. | Appeared not so long ago. England, Lancashire, 18th century |
| You cannot use your legs to achieve victory. The work goes against the body above the lower back. The legs play a significant, but still auxiliary role and do not participate in direct “military actions” | Full work with legs and against legs is allowed. Trips, sweeps, grabs and passes into the lower body are no less important than actions “on the upper floors” |
| The strength training of an athlete is of great importance. There are many situations where physical strength comes to the fore. A fighter who is weaker in terms of strength can only by chance defeat an opponent who is equal in technique but superior in strength. This happens extremely rarely | Strength is important, but there are a number of situations where a wrestler's technical skill becomes the main factor. There are many known fights where a less powerful wrestler defeated his powerful opponent thanks to a well-honed technique of using his legs and against his legs. |
As you can see, noticing the difference between freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling during a fight is not as easy as it seems. Wrestlers of the same style are capable of performing 1-2 lightning-fast techniques throughout the bout, to which an inexperienced spectator may not pay much attention. Whereas in reality, it is these techniques that designate the type of martial arts. However, now, we hope that our reader, accidentally entering the gym where a training session or wrestling tournament is taking place, will immediately determine what style of wrestling he sees.
Greco-Roman wrestling (classical wrestling, French wrestling) is a popular type of combat sports, the goal of which is to unbalance the opponent and press the opponent to the mat with shoulder blades, without using technical actions with the legs (hooks, trips, sweeps) and leg holds. Greco-Roman wrestlers use only their arms against the opponent's upper torso, using a specified set of techniques.
Greco-Roman wrestling still remains the only type of martial arts “only for men” - it does not yet hold official competitions among adult women. The likely reason for this is that this type of wrestling requires special torso strength, and many of its techniques involve tightly squeezing the chest and sharp amplitude throws of the opponent's torso.
However, there is a growing movement around the world for the active involvement of women in this type of wrestling and its inclusion in official competition programs. One of the important motives of this movement is based on the controversial thesis that “in sports, women can do everything that men can do.” Activists of the feminist movement and enthusiasts of women's sports do not want to put up with the existence of some “purely male” sport. A petition is circulating online calling on the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Federation to allow women to compete in Greco-Roman wrestling at the national championship level.
At the FILA Congress in Istanbul in September 2011, a change was made to the statutes of this international wrestling federation: a provision was approved that formally gives women the opportunity to engage in Greco-Roman style wrestling. Thus, Greco-Roman wrestling may soon cease to be the last form of combat sport where women are not represented.
Girls of pre-teen age have long and successfully competed in Greco-Roman wrestling, practically not inferior to boys. For example, a friend of our club has repeatedly defeated her peers in this type of wrestling.
The main strength of women is concentrated in the hips and legs, so many girls are able to fight on equal terms with guys in freestyle and folk style, using the strength of the legs and hips, as well as good stability. In freestyle, inversions use the hips as leverage, which is more suitable for female wrestlers. Boys find it difficult to turn girls over using only their torso strength. That's why some girls are sometimes able to defeat stronger guys. In Greco-Roman wrestling, girls have less chance of beating guys. However, there are girls who practice Greco-Roman wrestling, successfully using throws and neck holds, but this becomes more difficult with age. So, for now, only young girls can successfully try themselves in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Until 2002, the American Athletic Union AAU held national tournaments for girls "La femme" in different parts of America, in which they fought in three styles - Greco-Roman, freestyle and folk. However, the tournament was stopped due to low turnout. But in fact, women wrestlers have made their choice, they are pouring into freestyle wrestling. According to wrestler and women's wrestling enthusiast, Joy Miller, women should not have to prove something to someone and do something just because it is a men's sport, female wrestlers already have a suitable wrestling style that is included in the Olympic program.
Classical wrestling was born in Ancient Greece, and the modern type of Greco-Roman wrestling was formed in France in the first half of the 19th century. Modern Greco-Roman wrestling, of course, differs from ancient Greek Olympic wrestling.
Modern Greco-Roman wrestling has been enriched by the contributions of many nations. Athletes from many countries where wrestling penetrated introduced something new to its technique. Many techniques were borrowed from national types of wrestling. The French developed and improved such techniques as throws over the back with various grips, techniques from the rack carried out through the bridge (they were called suples - now deflection throws). The Finns invented half supples (throws with a turn over a bridge), as well as a great many coups on the ground with an arm under the shoulder (these techniques were called the “Finnish key” for a long time). USSR wrestlers brought throws with the opponent over the shoulders (“mill”) to Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. Turkish athletes in the 1930s. They began to use a coup on the ground with a reverse grip of the body, which is a historical feature of the Persian Koshti wrestling.
Greco-Roman wrestling was the only wrestling sport included in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 to feature just one heavyweight bout. Since the 1908 Olympics, Greco-Roman (classical) wrestling has been consistently represented at all Olympics. In the 20th century, Greco-Roman wrestling became a popular and prestigious sport in continental Europe, while it did not gain widespread popularity in the English-speaking world, despite the fact that many forms of British folk wrestling have many similarities with Greco-Roman. William Muldoon, an American freestyle wrestler who learned French wrestling during the Franco-Prussian War, tried to cultivate Greco-Roman wrestling in Britain and the United States in the late 19th century. Fights involving Muldoon attracted crowds of spectators, but French wrestling never became widespread in the United States and Britain, and instead the so-called “folk wrestling” arose ( folkstyle wrestling), or “collegiate wrestling” (), which is essentially a combination of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
Returning to the question of women’s participation in Greco-Roman wrestling, it should be noted that in women’s competitions in freestyle wrestling, MMA and grappling, characteristic techniques of Greco-Roman wrestling are successfully used - suples, bridges, torso grab throws, etc. (see for example the title collage). As you can see from the video clips below, even mature girls are quite capable of competing according to the rules of Greco-Roman wrestling, using only upper body holds. And if we talk about young girl wrestlers, many of them, like our club friend Joy Miller (see video clips below), are quite capable of defeating boys in their category.
Many thanks to Joy Miller and her father Jerry for their help in compiling this material and finding the illustrations.
January 2004
Updated December 2012
This type of strength martial arts is called classical wrestling, French wrestling, but it is believed that the correct name is Greco-Roman wrestling. It appeared in Ancient Greece, and developed during the Roman Empire, and since then the rules of Greco-Roman wrestling have remained virtually unchanged. And their essence boils down to using certain techniques and actions to throw the opponent off balance and lay him down on the mat, with his shoulder blades facing the mat. This is apparently where the name came from - “lay on the shoulder blades.” Various hooks, sweeps, and steps are prohibited here; legs cannot be grabbed with hands.
And the Greco-Roman wrestling technique is techniques that are carried out no lower than the waist and the main task of the wrestler is to pin the opponent to the mat. Techniques and actions are assessed on a point scale and athletes, having scored a certain number of points, can win based on them, for example, by performing a throw, hold or technique. The points are awarded by the referee, but there is also one who is the main determinant of certain actions of the wrestler. For example, points may not be counted for an incorrectly performed technique, as well as for passivity in the conduct of the fight, that is, when the athlete avoids the fight itself. Greco-Roman wrestling differs in that the bout lasts two minutes, but there are three periods. That is only six minutes with some breaks. If the winner is not determined, then a draw is held. After this, one of the wrestlers is allowed to carry out an attack.
Of course, Greco-Roman wrestling also has some prohibitions. For example, you should not go out on the carpet with your body lubricated, such as grease or ointment. The fingernails must not be too long; the presence of a handkerchief is almost a prerequisite, since the carpet cannot be dirty, and a wrestler can dirty it after he accidentally gets hit on the nose. Greco-Roman wrestling also implies complete submission to the judge, and it is prohibited to argue with him in case of loss.
Greco-Roman wrestlers can fight both standing and on the ground, that is, lying down. The key here is still to get your opponent off balance and get him down on the mat. In a fight, throws, knock-downs, and grabs are very successful.
The wrestlers' clothing is somewhat specific. These are swimming trunks, tights, soft sneakers called “race shoes”, socks. Wrestlers usually perform indoors, where the temperature allows this, although it happens that some competitions are also held in open areas.
It is believed that Greco-Roman wrestling is a fight of strength, flexibility and intelligence. Strength is one of the main criteria, because here you cannot defeat the enemy with some technical techniques alone. In wrestling, a special place is occupied by training to develop the so-called “bridge” - this is when the wrestler is with his stomach up, and his arms and legs are bent and due to this his body is located away from the floor. The back is constantly arched and therefore must be flexible. In addition to the “bridge,” the training includes acrobatic exercises - somersaults, cartwheels, sometimes roundabouts, and runs. Athletes also make safety falls. Joints are developed, they must be flexible and elastic. Sometimes the Greco-Roman wrestling technique involves various falls and the athlete must be able to make them with safety for himself. Athletes also do jogging, weight lifting, and training includes
Of course, wrestlers will have to go on the mat in sparring more than once. But athletes also work with mannequins; the weight of mannequins sometimes exceeds the weight of a person. This Greco-Roman wrestling involves endurance, which is developed in training bouts. But the most important thing is that the athlete must be determined to win and not be afraid of anything, then he will definitely win!
Greco-Roman wrestling, or in another way classical wrestling, is a European type of martial arts in which two participants fight. The main task of each athlete is to use a number of different elements and techniques to put his opponent on his shoulder blades. The main difference between Greco-Roman wrestling and other similar martial arts is the ban on performing any techniques with legs (steps, hooks, sweeps, etc.). Also, you cannot do leg grabs.
The struggle itself arose during the primitive communal system. However, this is not surprising, because people had to somehow protect their territories from enemies. However, the wrestling that our distant ancestors used is difficult to compare with the modern one, but still, it was from it that the development of all the main types of martial arts came.
Ancient Greece is considered the birthplace of classical wrestling. It was there that this type of wrestling was founded, but it developed in the Roman Empire. At the first Olympic Games, which were held in Ancient Greece in 776 BC, there was no wrestling yet. However, after a while in 704 BC. wrestling was included in the Olympic program.
Wrestling also appeared in Rus' a very long time ago: there are records that already in the 10th century Russians knew about this type of martial arts. It is known from history that our ancestors had to fight a lot, so without fighting there is nowhere. However, the struggle in Rus' found its application not only in war, but also in everyday life, the Russian peoples made room for it. So, for example, all the holidays could not happen without fights between skilled Russian fighters, showing their skill, strength and courage. That Greco-Roman wrestling with its characteristic features, which everyone is accustomed to seeing today, was formed only in the 19th century in France. In 1869, Greco-Roman wrestling was included in the program of the modern Olympic Games. Since 1898, European Championships have been held, and since 1904, World Championships. Today, Greco-Roman wrestling is a popular form of martial arts, requiring from athletes the same strength, courage and desire to be the best.
Rules
Over the long years of the existence of Greco-Roman wrestling, certain rules were created that each participant must adhere to. So, I would like to tell the reader a little about these very rules. As everyone has already understood, Greco-Roman wrestling is a competition between two athletes. The basic rule is that you cannot perform techniques below the belt. The main goal is to put the opponent on his shoulder blades, or in other words, a touch. If a wrestler wins two periods on points, he is also awarded a victory. One period lasts 2 minutes. If after two periods the score is 1:1, then the judges add another period, which should reveal the winner. In the event that it was not possible to determine the winner, lots are cast, and after that one of the wrestlers gets the opportunity to carry out one attack, if he succeeds, he wins, if he fails, then the one who defended wins the fight. Every technique, every action that produces results in a fight also brings points to the fighters. According to these points, the winner of the period is determined. If one wrestler makes a 5-point throw (for example, a backbend), then the fight stops and he is awarded the victory in the period. There are many things that, like techniques with legs, cannot be done. For example, you can’t grab the neck with both hands, you can’t hit your opponent, you can’t lubricate your body with something before a fight, you can’t argue with the judge, you can’t talk to each other, etc. You must follow the rules unquestioningly, otherwise you may be disqualified.
Greco-Roman wrestling is a manifestation of strength, health, courage, agility, flexibility and, in general, all the positive qualities that an athlete is capable of possessing.
