Greco-Roman wrestling is a combat sport which confronts two male competitors who try to gain control over their opponent through the use of throws, locks, and clinching techniques. The holds can only be execuded by means of the upper body, with the ultimate goal of pinning the opponent's shoulders to the mat. If a wrestler manages to do so, victory by "fall" is proclaimed, otherwise, the match pursues until the end of the regular time and the winner is decided according to the technical points scored.The origins of Greco-Roman wrestling should not be sought in ancient times, since the style practised by the Greeks and the Romans was actually similar to freestyle wrestling. This style has its origins in the 19th century and was created by a Napoleon soldier named Exbroyat. He performed in Lyon fairs what he called “flat hand wrestling” to differentiate it from other combat sports where hitting his opponent was allowed. In 1848, he established as a rule, not to execute holds underneath the waist, and forbid holds and painful torsions that could hurt the adversary. “Flat hand wrestling”, also called “French wrestling” developed all throughout Europe and became the most important sport of the 19th century. The person who created the expression “Greco-Roman” was the Italian wrestler Basilio Bartoli, who wanted to underline the interest for Ancient values.
Wrestling was introduced to the programme of the ancient Olympic Games in 708 BC. Greco-Roman wrestling was then the first style registered in the Modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 and this form of professional entertainment became a first class amateur sport during the 20th century. Wrestling was never absent from the Olympic programme, except during the Games in Paris in 1900
Wrestling at London 2012 will pit competitors against each other in head-to-head displays of power, technique and sheer strength.
Recognised as one of the world’s oldest sports, Wrestling was first held at the ancient Olympics in 708 BC, and was included at the Athens 1896 Games, the first of the modern era. Played out on a circular mat, the sport is a battle of nerves, strength and skill, and should provide plenty of drama at ExCeL during London 2012.
The basics
Wrestling is a body-to-body combat sport, with key variations between the styles.
The aim is to force the back of the opponent’s shoulders on to the ground. Bouts take place on a mat, and can last for a maximum of three periods of two minutes, with a 30-second break in between. A contest can finish early if a wrestler wins the first two periods or pins his opponent.
There are two disciplines of Wrestling at London 2012: Greco-Roman and Freestyle.
Greco-Roman Wrestling featured at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. The organisers hoped it would give a flavour of the Ancient Greek Olympic Games, where the sport had been very popular. In Greco-Roman Wrestling, athletes are only allowed to use their arms and upper bodies to attack their opponents’ upper bodies.
Freestyle Wrestling was introduced at the St Louis 1904 Games. In Freestyle Wrestling, competitors may use all parts of their body to attempt moves and holds on all parts of their opponents’ bodies. Wrestlers aim to pin their opponent to the ground, or to score points by throwing their opponent or taking them down.
The rules in women’s Wrestling, which made its first Olympic appearance in 2004, are similar to those used in men’s Freestyle Wrestling, but with some key variations – for example, double head-locks are forbidden.
Olympic Wrestling, past and present
Eight years after Greco-Roman Wrestling was featured at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, Freestyle Wrestling was introduced at the St Louis 1904 Games. Women’s Wrestling joined the Olympic programme at Athens in 2004.
At London 2012, the Wrestling competition will be held at ExCeL, a multi-purpose events venue that will also host a number of other Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Jargon buster
Body lock: A hold where a wrestler locks arms around the body of his opponent before taking him to the mat.
Bridge: The arched position adopted by a wrestler to prevent his back from touching the mat.
Pin: To force an opponent's shoulders to the mat.
Takedown: To take an opponent from a standing position to the mat.
http://www.fila-official.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=100181&lang=en
http://www.london2012.com/wrestling
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