The History of Wrestling
From the Greek Legends to
Steroid Addicted Lunatics
Ancient Olympics
Ancient Olympics
The first Olympic wrestling match occurred
at the Olympic games in 708 BC.
Wrestling was highly valued as a form of
military exercise.
 Punches, biting, tripping, and eye gouging
were not permitted. No weight classes
existed but boys did not wrestle men.
 Milon of Croton

Types of Early Wrestling


Orthia pale (Upright and
Proper Wrestling)
This is like real wrestling
by today's standards
(Greco Roman)
Kato pale (Ground
Wrestling)
Comparable to UFC by
today's standards
Wrestling in the Middle Ages
Wrestling in the Middle Ages changed
from its times in the Ancient Olympics.
The wrestling itself turned into a barbaric
sport.
 The King of Britain was challenged by the
King of France to a match, which he lost to
his great disgust.

Modern
Olympics

Scandinavians ruled the wrestling world from
1908 – 1948. In these years the matches did
not have a time limit so the matches could and
sometimes did go on for hours. One such match
went on for six hours with the score 1-1 and
finished in a draw. Both athletes were too
exhausted to continue when the referee decided
to call the match.
Modern Olympics Continued
 1952
– 1980 saw the Germans and
Soviets dominating the world in
wrestling.
In 1980 the U.S. Catches Up
Beginning in the1980 Olympics, rules for
time were changed.
 These rule changes made a large impact
on how wrestlers trained and the teams
that began to win because of the change.

In the 84’ Olympics the US
dominated the competition. In the
88’ Olympics the Soviets took over
at the top and in the 92’ and 96’
Olympics the US was again on the
top.
College Wrestling

When talking about college wrestling, all
you need to know is Dan Gable.
Professional Wrestling (Not Really)

Sorry to burst your bubble, but
professional wrestling such as WWE
(formerly WWF) is not real. It is
overgrown former athletes that learned
how to act.
SUMO

Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan's
national sport. It originated in ancient times as a
performance to entertain the Shinto Gods. Many rituals
with religious background are still followed today.
Types of Wrestling


Greco-Roman - In Greco-Roman, a wrestler
may not attack his opponent's legs, nor use his
own legs to trip, lift or execute other moves.
Points are scored by throwing your opponent to
the ground.
Types of Wrestling

Freestyle and Folkstyle - Freestyle is
similar to the "folkstyle" wrestling popular
in American schools and universities, but
with different scoring, match procedures,
and strategies.
Folkstyle Wrestling Scoring

Takedown –
2 points
A takedown is
earned when a
wrestler brings his
opponent to the
mat, with restraining
control, from the
neutral position.
Folkstyle Wrestling Scoring

Reversal
2 points
A reversal is
earned when a
wrestler, from the
bottom position,
gains control of his
opponent, placing
him in the top
position.
Folkstyle Wrestling Scoring

Near Fall
2 or 3 points
A near fall is earned by
forcing your opponent's
shoulders within four
inches or 45° of the
mat. If the shoulders
are held in this position
for at least 2 seconds, 2
points are earned. If
held for5 or more
seconds, 3 points are
earned.
Folkstyle Wrestling Scoring

Pin
A pin ends the match.
When one wrestler
controls the other and
holds their shoulders
down on the mat for 3
seconds the match
ends.
Equipment
Equipment
That’s all for now
Thank you for your time! I hope
that some time you will go and
support your schools team.