subject: The History Of Wrestling [print this page] Wrestling is a huge test of strength and technique between two opponents. It is a form of martial art that has been around since forever. Wrestling is taught to the military as a form of self defense. Folk wrestling has been practiced by all sorts of people for years and years, including tribes who use lethal weapons in ritual fights. Techniques to be mastered in wrestling are clinching, locking, holding and leverage.
The act of wrestling has been mentioned in many religious scriptures such as Old Testament Book of Genesis, where Jacob wrestles with the angel, The Mahabharata, where Bhima and Jarasandha wrestle.
In recorded history, Chinese wrestling or Shuai Jiao is the oldest form of wrestling continuing since four thousand years, which the Yellow Emperor deployed to defeat rebel Chih Yui and his army.
Originally called Jiao Ti, this was an early form of wrestling. Later on, hands would be used instead of horns. Near 2300 BC, evidence within the grave site of Ptahhotep, an Old Kingdom philosopher, indicates that both the Egyptians and Nubians took part in wrestling competitions. It was during the reign of the Greeks from 1100 BC to 146 BC that a more recognizable form of wrestling would be used during competitions, with one wrestler attempting to pin his opponent, force him to admit defeat, or knock him out of bounds. Eventually it would become known as Roman wrestling when the Greeks were taken over by the Romans.
Wrestling can be broadly divided into two categories, International wrestling and folk wrestling. International wrestling includes freestyle wrestling, sambo, Greco-roman wrestling, beach wrestling, judo and grappling. Freestyle wrestling is a part of the Olympics sports. It is a form of amateur wrestling where two wrestlers of the same weight class compete with each other. A wrestler is declared a winner when he defeats his opponent by five methods. They are winning by fall, winning by superiority, winning by decision, winning by injury and winning by disqualification. The basic rule is that a wrestler can hold the legs of his opponent and trip him. A good wrestler is quick and has good maneuvering skills. It is the only form of international wrestling meant for women.
