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Greco-Roman wrestling

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File:Karelin throws blatnick.jpg
Alexander Karelin throwing Jeff Blatnick

Greco-Roman wrestling is a form of amateur wrestling practiced throughout the world. It is one of three styles contested in the Olympic games.

According to the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), Greco-Roman wrestling is one of the four main forms of amateur competitive wrestling practiced internationally today, the other three being Freestyle wrestling, judo, and sambo.

Colloquially referred to simply as Greco, this style of wrestling forbids attacks below the waist. As a result, throws are encouraged as the opponent cannot avoid being thrown by simply hooking or grabbing his opponent's leg. Otherwise, the sport is similar to freestyle.

Arm drags, bearhugs, and headlocks found in freestyle have greater prominence in Greco-Roman. Throws especially known as souples are used, in which the offensive wrestler lifts his opponent in a high arch while falling backward on his own neck to a bridge in order to bring his opponent's shoulders down to the mat. Even on the mat, a Greco-Roman wrestler must still find several ways to turn his opponent's shoulders to the mat for a fall without legs, including through what is known as the bodylock and the gut-wrench.[1]

History

Greco-Roman wrestling actually derived from a 19th Century French form of show-wrestling popular for its high throws. It is speculated that many styles of European folk wrestling in Europe may have spurred the origins of Greco-Roman wrestling.[2] According to FILA, a Napoleonic soldier named Exbroyat first developed the style. Exbroyat performed in fairs and called his style of wrestling "flat hand wrestling" to distinguish it from other forms of hand-to-hand combat that allowed striking. In 1848, Exbroyat established the rule that no holds below the waist were to be allowed; neither were painful holds or torsions allowed that would hurt the opponent. "Flat hand wrestling" or "French wrestling" developed all throughout Europe and became a popular sport. The Italian wrestler Basilio Bartoli first coined the term "Greco-Roman" for the sport to underline the interest in "ancient values." Many others in the 18th and 19th centuries sought to add value to their contemporary athletic practices by finding some connections with ancient counterparts. So, it was widely believed soon enough that Greco-Roman wrestling emerged from a Greek wrestling competition known as "upright wrestling" in which only upper body holds were allowed. The 18th century work Gymnastics for Youth by Johann Friedrich Guts Muths describes a form of schoolboy wrestling called "orthopale" (used by Plato to describe the standing part of wrestling) that does not mention any lower-body holds.[3] Real ancient wrestling was quite different; see Greek wrestling.[4]

Even on the mat, a Greco-Roman wrestler must still find several ways to turn his opponent's shoulders to the mat for a fall without legs.

Greco-Roman wrestling soon became prestigious in continental Europe[5] and was the first style registered at the modern Olympic games, beginning in Athens in 1896 with one heavyweight bout[6], and grew in popularity during the 20th century. It has always been featured in the Olympic games, except during the Paris Olympic Games in 1900[7] and the St. Louis Olympic Games of 1904, when freestyle first emerged as an Olympic sport.

Greco-Roman wrestling never really caught on in the English-speaking world, despite its connection in style to many British styles of folk wrestling and the efforts of William Muldoon (a successful New York barroom freestyle wrestler who served in the Franco-Prussian War and learned the style in France) to promote it in the United States after the Civil War. Muldoon's matches in particular drew large crowds but failed to gain a foothold among Americans. Instead, freestyle became the wrestling of choice.[8] Perhaps, the most well-known of Greco-Roman wrestlers in the nineteenth century was George Hackenschmidt born from Estonia who was nicknamed "The Russian Lion." Hackenschmidt in 1898 at the age of 21 and 15 months of training defeated the experienced Paul Pons in a match in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1900, he won professional touraments in Moscow and St. Petersburg and a series of international tournaments after that. After defeated Tom Jenkins (from the United States) in both freestyle and Greco-Roman matches in England, George Hackenschmidt wrestled exclusively freetyle to compete better against English, Australian, and American opponents. Winning more than 2,000 victories in Freestyle and Greco-Roman, Hackenschmidt served as the physical education adviser to the House of Lords after his retirement.[9]

Professional matches in Greco-Roman wrestling were known for their great brutality. Body slams, choke-holds, head-butting was allowed, and even caustic substances were used to weaken the opponent. By the end of the nineteenth, gouging with the nails, punching, and violently slamming the arms together around the opponent's stomach were forbidden. Greco-Roman matches were also well-known for their length. Professionally, it was not uncommon for there to be matches lasting two or three hours. William Muldoon's bout with Clarence Whistler at the Terrace Garden Theater in New York lasted eight hours before ending in a draw. Even in the 1912 Olympics, a match between Anders Ahlgren of Sweden and Ivar Boehling of Finland lasted for nine hours before a draw was called and both wrestlers awarded the silver medal. The International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) took over the regulation of Greco-Roman wrestling in 1921 and since then matches have been dramatically cut short and today all movements that put life or limb of the wrestler in jeopardy are forbidden.[10]

In terms of Olympic competition, the former Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Romania, Japan, Sweden, and Finland have had great success. Carl Westergren of Sweden won three Greco-Roman gold medals in 1920, 1924, and 1932, and was the first one to do so. Alexander Karelin did the same in 1988, 1992, and 1996. Ivar Johansson of Sweden won gold medals in Greco-Roman in 1932 and 1936 and also a gold medal in freestyle in 1932. The United States Olympic delegation (exclusively wrestling freestyle before) first entered Greco-Roman wrestling in 1952 and has taken three gold medals, won by Steve Fraser and Jeffrey Blatnick in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and by Rulon Gardner at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.[11]

Weight Classes

Main article: Wrestling weight classes

Currently, international Greco-Roman wrestling is divided into four main age categories: schoolboys, cadets, juniors, and seniors.

Schoolboys (young men ages 14-15; or age 13 with a medical certificate and parental authorization) competing in Greco-Roman wrestling do so in one of the following weight classes:

  • 29 to 32 kg
  • 35 kg
  • 38 kg
  • 42 kg
  • 47 kg
  • 53 kg
  • 59 kg
  • 66 kg
  • 73 kg
  • 73 to 85 kg
Two wrestlers in the U.S. military compete in a Greco-Roman match.

Cadets (young men ages 16-17; or age 15 with a medical certificate and parental authorization) competing in Greco-Roman wrestling do so in one of the following weight classes:

  • 39 to 42 kg
  • 46 kg
  • 50 kg
  • 54 kg
  • 58 kg
  • 63 kg
  • 69 kg
  • 76 kg
  • 85 kg
  • 85 to 100 kg

Juniors (young men ages 18 to 20; or age 17 with a medical certificate and parental authorization) competing in Greco-Roman wrestling do so in one of the following weight classes:

  • 46 to 50 kg
  • 55 kg
  • 60 kg
  • 66 kg
  • 74 kg
  • 84 kg
  • 96 kg
  • 96 to 120 kg

Seniors (men ages 20 and up) competing in Greco-Roman wrestling do so in one of the following weight classes:

  • 50 to 55 kg
  • 60 kg
  • 66 kg
  • 74 kg
  • 84 kg
  • 96 kg
  • 96 to 120 kg

There is also a special category for some Greco-Roman competitions, "Veterans", for men ages 35 and older, presumably featuring the same weight classes as seniors. Also, all of the men's age categories and weight classes can be applied to Freestyle wrestling.[12]

Different nations may have different weight classes and different age categories for their levels of Greco-Roman competition.

The Match

A match is a competition between two individual wrestlers of the same weight class. In freestyle wrestling, a team of three referees is used. The referee controls the action in the center, blowing the whistle to start and stop the action. The judge sits at the side of the mat. The mat chairman sits at the scoring table and keeps time. To award points, assess penalties, or call a pin, two of the three officials must agree.[13]

Victory Conditions in the International Styles

A match can be won in the following ways:

  • Win by Fall: A fall, also known as a pin, occurs when one wrestler holds both his opponents' shoulders on the mat simultaneously. In freestyle and Greco-Roman, a pin must be held long enough for the referee to "observe the total control of the fall" (usually about one or two full seconds). Then either the judge or the mat chairman concurs with the referee that a fall is made. (If the referee does not indicate a fall, and the fall is valid, the judge and the mat chairman can concur together and announce the pin.) A fall ends the match entirely regardless of when it occurs.[14] In the United States at least, for the Kids freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling division (wrestlers ages 8 to 14) in competitions sponsored by USA Wrestling[15] and in the Tots, Bantam, Midget, and Junior divisions (wrestlers ages 5 to 12) in competitions sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union, it is specified that a pin must be held for two full seconds.[16]
  • Win by Technical Fall (Also called Technical Superiority): If one wrestler gains a six-point lead over his opponent at any point, scores a five point throw (a throw where the persons feet go directly above their head, also called a throw of grand amplitude), or two three point takedowns (taking an opponent from their feet to their back or sides so that there is shoulder exposure), the current period is declared over and he is the winner of that period.[17]
  • Win by Decision: If neither wrestler achieves either type of fall, the one who has gained more points during the period is declared the winner. If the score is tied at zero at the end of a period, the wrestlers go through an overtime procedure called The Clinch in which wrestlers are required to enter the clinch position and wrestle till a point is scored, or until one of the wrestlers breaks the clinch.[18]
  • Win by Injury: If one wrestler is injured and unable to continue, the other wrestler is declared the winner. The term also encompasses situations where wrestlers bleed uncontrollably. If a wrestler is injured by his opponent's illegal maneuver and cannot continue, the wrestler at fault is disqualified.[19]
  • Win by Disqualification: If a wrestler is assessed three Cautions for breaking the rules, he is disqualified. Under other circumstances, such as flagrant brutality, the match may be ended immediately and the wrestler removed from the tournament.[20]

Period Format

In Greco-Roman, the format is now three two-minute periods a wrestler winning the match when he has won two out of three periods; for example if one competitor were to win the first period 1-0 and the second period 1-0, the match would be over. However, if the other competitor were to win the second period then third and deciding period would result. Only a fall or disqualification terminates the match; all other modes of victory result only in period termination. One side effect of this format is that it is possible for the losing wrestler to outscore the winner. For example, periods may be scored 3-2, 0-4, 1-0, leading to a total score of 4-6 but a win for the wrestler scoring fewer points.[21]

As of 2005, each period is broken up into a standing wrestling phase and a maximum of two par terre (ground wrestling) phases. During the stand up phase both wrestles compete for takedowns and points for 60 seconds as normal, at the end of which the wrestler who has scored the most points is awarded an Olympic lift position from an open par terre position on the other wrestler. At the end of thirty seconds the positions are reversed, and the period is decided by who accumulated the most points during both standing and ground phases. Where no one scores in the first 60 seconds standing the top position is determined by a coin toss. During the ground phase if the top wrestler cannot score, the other wrestler is awarded one point. In the case of no scoring moves being executed during either ground phase the score will be 1-1 and in this case the wrestler to score last will be awarded the period.[22]

In Greco-Roman wrestling, the prohibition on the use of the legs in offense and defense often means that points are scored for many throws of grand amplitude.

Scoring

In Greco-Roman wrestling, points can be scored the following ways:

  • Takedowns: Gaining control over your opponent from a neutral position, worth from one to five points.
  • Reversals: Gaining control over your opponent from a defensive position, worth one point.
  • Exposure also called the Danger Position: Exposing your opponent's back to the mat at an acute angle (less than 90 degrees), worth two points. An additional hold-down point may be earned by maintaining the exposure continuously for five seconds.
  • Penalty Points: Under the 2004-2005 changes to the international styles, a wrestler whose opponent takes an injury time-out receives one point unless the injurëd wrestler is bleeding. Any wrestler stepping out of bounds while standing in the neutral position during a match is penalized by giving his/her opponent a point. Other infractions (striking your opponent, acting with brutality or intent to injure, using illegal holds, etc.) are penalized by an award of points, a Caution, and choice of position.
  • Out-of-Bounds: Whenever a wrestler places his foot on or over the boundary line, the match is stopped and a point is awarded to his opponent.

Classification points are also awarded, which give most points to the winner and in some cases, one point to the loser depending on the outcome of the match and how the victory was attained.

The full determinations for scoring are found here on pages 34 to 40.

Scores no longer rewarded in Greco-Roman wrestling

In 2004, FILA radically changed the format and scoring of the international styles. Part of this involved eliminating two ways of scoring which are possible from the par terre, or 'on the mat,' position.

  • Escapes: Escaping your opponent's control.
  • Lifting: Successfully lifting an opponent in the defensive position and exposing his back.

Team Scoring

In an international wrestling tournament, teams enter one wrestler at each weight class and score points based on the individual performances. For example, if a wrestler at the 52.0 kg weight class finishes in first place then their team will receive ten points. If he were to finish in tenth place then they would only receive one. At the end of the tournament each team's score is tallied and the team with the most points wins the team competition.[23]

Dual Meets

A dual meet is a meeting between teams in which individual wrestlers at a given weight class compete against each other. Points are awarded to each team depending on the result - for example, a wrestler winning by pin scores four points for his team, and his opponent scores none, while a win by decision scores three points for the winning wrestler and one or zero for the loser depending on whether he scored points during the match. The team that scores the most points at the end of the matches wins the dual meet.

Equipment

  • A singlet is a one-piece wrestling garment made of spandex that should provide a tight and comfortable fit for the wrestler. It is made from nylon or lycra and prevents an opponent from using anything on the wrestler as leverage. One wrestler usually competes in a red singlet and the other in a blue singlet.[24]
  • A special pair of shoes is worn by a wrestler to increase their mobility and flexibility. Wrestling shoes are light and flexible in order to provide maximum comfort and movement and provide extra traction on the mat.[25]
  • A handkerchief, also called a bloodrag is carried in the singlet. In the event of bleeding, the wrestler will remove the cloth from their singlet and attempt to stop the bleeding or clean up any bodily fluids that may have gotten onto the mat.[26]
  • Headgear is optional in Greco-Roman. This is done at the participant's own risk, as there is the potential to develop cauliflower ear.[27]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Wrestling, Greco-Roman" by Michael B. Poliakoff from Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, Vol. 3, p. 1196, eds. David Levinson and Karen Christensen (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1996).
  2. ^ "Wrestling, Greco-Roman" by Michael B. Poliakoff from Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, Vol. 3, p. 1194, eds. David Levinson and Karen Christensen (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1996).
  3. ^ "Wrestling, Greco-Roman" by Michael B. Poliakoff from Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, Vol. 3, p. 1194, eds. David Levinson and Karen Christensen (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1996).
  4. ^ "Greco-Roman Wrestling". FILA. 2007-01-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "Wrestling, Greco-Roman" by Michael B. Poliakoff from Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, Vol. 3, p. 1194, eds. David Levinson and Karen Christensen (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1996).
  6. ^ "Wrestling, Freestyle" by Michael B. Poliakoff from Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, Vol. 3, p. 1190, eds. David Levinson and Karen Christensen (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1996).
  7. ^ "Greco-Roman Wrestling". FILA. 2007-01-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ "Wrestling, Greco-Roman" by Michael B. Poliakoff from Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, Vol. 3, p. 1194, eds. David Levinson and Karen Christensen (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1996).
  9. ^ "Wrestling, Greco-Roman" by Michael B. Poliakoff from Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, Vol. 3, p. 1195, eds. David Levinson and Karen Christensen (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1996).
  10. ^ "Wrestling, Greco-Roman" by Michael B. Poliakoff from Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, Vol. 3, p. 1196, eds. David Levinson and Karen Christensen (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1996).
  11. ^ "Wrestling, Greco-Roman" by Michael B. Poliakoff from Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, Vol. 3, p. 1195, eds. David Levinson and Karen Christensen (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1996).
  12. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). pp. 11-13. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). pp. 22-26. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). p. 41. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  15. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling, modified for USA Wrestling" (PDF). pp. 41, 72. USA Wrestling. 2007-01-01. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ "2005 Wrestling Handbook, Part XVI:International Rules and Regulations (FILA)" (PDF). pp. 4, 24. Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). 2005-01-01. Retrieved 2005-08-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). p. 55. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). pp. 30, 43-46. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  19. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). pp. 30, 52-53. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). pp. 31, 50. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). pp. 27, 30. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). pp. 44-46. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  23. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). pp. 31-33. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  24. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). p. 9. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  25. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). p. 10. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). p. 9. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  27. ^ "International Wrestling Rules: Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Women's Wrestling" (PDF). p. 10. FILA. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

References

Poliakoff, Michael (1996), "Wrestling, Freestyle", in Christensen, Karen (ed.), Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, vol. 3, Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., pp. 1189–1193

Poliakoff, Michael (1996), "Wrestling, Greco-Roman", in Christensen, Karen (ed.), Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present, vol. 3, Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., pp. 1194–1196

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