Wrestling is known to be one of the oldest sports in human history having references in different epics and cultures. It was also a well known sporting event in ancient Greek Olympics. In due course of time, its techniques have changed and evolved due to the effects of varied cultures and countries, therefore evolving into different styles of wrestling. However, different they may be in their techniques but the basic idea behind this sport remains the same. Here is a list of top ten most popular wrestling techniques.
1. Freestyle Wrestling
This style stands on the first place as the most popular wrestling technique in the world and is widely present in amateur wrestling and is indulged into by many people as their interest. This sport is for both men and women. Wrestlers’ or opponents’ legs can be used as an offense as well as defense in this style. The main victory condition in this style comprises of pinning the opponent on mat.
2. Greco-Roman
It is the second most popular style of wrestling and is the oldest too. It is also an Olympic sport. But, unlike freestyle wrestling, in this style it is strictly not allowed to hold the opponent below the belt, trip over and actively use legs. Similar to freestyle, pinning down the opponent is a way of winning. Recent amendments in the rules have made provisions for high amplitude throws.
3. Beach Wrestling
This was an attempt made to popularize wrestling among television audiences. It was in 2004 that FILA adopted it as official discipline. This style is actually practiced on a sand filled circle measuring 6 meters in diameter. The criterion to win is to throw out the opponent or take the opponent on their back. This sport is practiced by both men and women. This style has only two categories comprising of heavy and light.
4. Sambo
This style of martial art has its origin in Russia in the early 20th century. It was basically used to train armed forces of Soviet Army and stands as an acronym for the Russian translation of “self-defense without weapons”. Now, it has gained a huge popularity of a sport. The main influences of this technique are from ancient martial arts disciplines such as jujitsu, judo and Greco-roman wrestling.
5. Sumo
This wrestling technique comes from the land of Japan. In this style of wrestling a rikishi or a wrestler tries to force the opponent out of a circular ring called dyoho or to touch the ground by anything other than the soles of his feet. Tokyo organizes three grand world Sumo tournaments each year. It has also become one of the highest profits making sport with one the wrestlers getting paid as high as $30,500 USD.
6. Catch Wrestling
It is a folk style of wrestling with its origin from the 19th century England. This style has a varied influence mainly from the Indian subcontinent’s style of pehelwani and Iranian style of Verzesh ePahalwani. In this style, the player is free to hold or catch its opponent in a manner he likes. Unlike Greco Roman style, there are no restrictions in this style of wrestling. This art of wrestling is considered more about playing than fighting.
7. Luta Livre
Luta Livre is actually the Portuguese term for freestyle wrestling and if directly translated means “fight and free”. It was during the time when Royce Garcie, the Brazilian fighter dominated the Ultimate Fighting Championship as a result of which many English publications hurried to translate Brazilian articles related to Garcie Jiu Jitsu.
8. Professional Wrestling (U.S)
It is often referred to as sport entertainment. This is actually a mock wrestling match with pre determined outcomes and is popular among the television audience. It is more about entertainment than about real sport. Mostly Anglo-American techniques are used by the performers in their fights. In spite of being a mock wresting, it has developed into a high grossing entertainment business.
9. Puroresu
This is another wrestling technique from Japan. It is a professional wrestling style which is treated more as a sport rather than entertainment as a contrast to the North American culture. The matches mostly deal with athleticism and skill which is accompanied by some submission moves and shoot style moves. This complexity makes this sport a little more injury prone.
10. Folk Wrestling
This is the local versions of the ancient sport which has been molded according to different cultures and countries. Different countries have developed their own techniques to play this sport. The main types of the folk wrestling technique are Pehelwani and Kushti from India, Jiu Jitsu from Japan etc. these wrestling techniques are limited to the geography of different countries.
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