Wrestling has a long history and roots that trace back quite a way,
it is often called one of the greatest sports.
Wrestling began in Ancient Greece as early as 708 B.C although it
may have been earlier. The wrestling was mostly a way for military
people to stay in shape and engage in unarmed competition.
These matches often went for long spells without end. There is a
wrestling match after the death of a great Achaian. Achilleus puts
up prizes for the winner of this match. This book is often referred
as a work of truth and accordingly could be viewed of proof of the
early roots of wrestling within Greek culture.
In ancient Greece, wrestling occupied a prominent place in legend
and literature; wrestling competition, brutal in many aspects, was
the supreme contest of the Olympic Games. The Romans took Greek
Wrestling and modified it a bit into a form known commonly as
Greco-Roman wrestling . They eliminated much of its brutality. In
this form the wrestlers are only allowed to attack the upper body.
This form yields a different stance and different form.
Early American settlers brought a strong wrestling tradition with
them from England. The colonists also found wrestling to be popular
among Native Americans. Amateur wrestling flourished throughout the
early years of the nation and served as a popular activity at
country fairs, holiday celebrations, and in military exercises.
The first organized national wrestling tournament was held in New
York City in 1888, while the first wrestling competition in the
modern Olympic Games was held in 1904 in Saint Louis, Missouri.
The first NCAA Wrestling Championships were held in 1912, in
Ames, Iowa. USA Wrestling, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado,
became the national governing body of amateur wrestling in 1983. It
conducts competitions for all age levels.
It was part of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in
1896, with the inclusion of a competition in the Greco-roman style
without any weight category specifications. There followed a short
period when this sport was excluded.
The wrestling that is seen on TV is made to entertain mostly. The
matches are staged and drama is added. Collegiate wrestling (Middle
school, High school and College) wrestling is different. College
wrestling is often broadcast on television and is often fun to
watch.
Olympic wrestling takes on another form of wrestling. It utilizes
both the Greco-Roman style as well as another style known as
Freestyle.
Freestyle wrestling is a lot like collegiate wrestling however their
are more freedoms. In freestyle one is allowed to throw their
opponent. Also one may lock hands at any time. Matches are
accordingly run differently. Also in freestyle one has the option of
rolling their opponent.
