1908 Icelandic Wrestling.pdf

Icelandic Wrestling

By Johannes Josefsson

( Icelandic Champion)

1908

Icelandic Wrestling

We name this style of wrestling Icelandic because it had its origin in

Iceland, and has never been practiced, or even known, in other lands. The

perfection to which it has been brought in recent years has proved it to be, to

a very high degree, an exercise which gives health and endurance to the

body, and is a real source of refreshment to the mind, while at the same time

it sharpens the courage, smartness and intellect of those who take part in it.

Its benefits, to some extent. Were recognized in the olden days, when the

deceitful sword of the ancients had frequent use, and life and death were at

stake. Many instances are on record, where weaponless men, on being

attacked with a sword, rendered that weapon entirely useless, by getting a

“grip” on the hand that was raised to strike, in some cases even wresting the

sword away from them. “Gripping” was also resorted to in the event of a

man losing his sword. This kind of wrestling is preserved in Iceland as the

affectionate foster-child of the nation, having been practiced as far back as

1100, when Iceland was a republic. It was not then limited to the platform

nor to any special occasion, for throughout the land, from the country farm

to the Althing (Parliament) it was a daily exercise in which most men took

part. In those days a contest called “Baendaglima” was occasionally held.

The wrestlers divided themselves into two opposing parties,. The weakest

man on either side was sent out first, and the one who fell was reckoned hors

de combat . A second man took his place, succeeded, if he fell, by a third

and then a fourth, and so on, until the conquering man fell. One can well

imagine that these encounters were truly calculated to stimulate and

encourage the younger generation to doughty deeds, to promote love and

comradeship between man and man, binding the nation together as a whole.

When we read about combats between Icelanders of olden time and

giants, outlaws, Ethiopians (slaves belonging to the reigning kings) and

warriors of the heathen age, we see always a sure victory for wrestlers when

they took part, even though their strength differed considerably from that of

their formidable opponents. As a matter of fact, the essential idea of

Icelandic wrestling is to enable the weaker man to hold his own with the

stronger. Most of the “grips” are formed with the feet and legs, so that

though one’s hands are tired, - a thing most common in days gone by, - a fair

resistance might be made, no matter from what side the enemy attacked.

Self-protection was the first thing which led to Icelandic wrestling, and

today the motive is the same, though there is now much less need for it. In

the game there is only one lawful wrestling position (See Fig. 1), which has

been maintained as such since wrestling became a national sport, and if this

position is kept, gymnastics, more than strength, must be used to perform the

tricks lawfully.

As the years rolled on the game became more and more popular, the

chief schools in the land, at Holar, Skalholt, and Bessastaoir making a

special feature of the art. At these places wrestling was practiced mostly in

competition, and, as some of the best wrestlers in the land were there, many

never-to-be-forgotten days were spent by them, the record of which is

cherished by every true Icelander. Those heroes occasionally made tours

about the country exhibiting, which helped much to preserve the famous

game amongst the people sparsely scattered among the hill-sides and around

the coast of this bleak land. When the Grammar School was removed frm

Bessastaoir to Reykjavik the wrestling ardor appears to have become

somewhat less among the students, as nothing is recorded in that regard from

that time until recently. The country people, however, continued. In the

Myvatn district in North Iceland, a daily wrestling match took place on the

ice of Myvatn (Midge water) during winter, when the fishermen came

together to catch trout.

Up to the present time this ancient pastime has been kept secret from

foreigners. Like the Japanese with their “Jiu Jitsu” we have kept it to

ourselves. That only occasion when strangers were allowed to witness it

during the whole of last century, was when it was displayed before King

Christian IX, of Denmark at Thingvellir when he visited Iceland in 1874,

and even then only two men took part – the present Rev. Sigurour

Gunnarsson of Stykkisholm and the Rev. Larus Halldorsson of Reykjavik.

During recent years more stress has been laid on healthy exercises of

all kinds. Clubs and young men’s societies have been formed throughout the

land, and everything is being done to further the same amongst the rising

generation. Some years ago a silver belt was offered to the best wrestler in

Iceland, to be contested for by amateurs, - there are no professionals as yet

in Iceland. A silver shield has also been offered for the best wrestler in

Akureyri (North), and one for the best in Reykjavik (South), with many

other smaller prizes.

King Fredrick VIII of Denmark visited Iceland last summer (1907)

and, with visitors from other lands, expressed his delight at seeing Icelandic

wrestling. Three prizes were competed for at Thingvellir in His Majesty’s

presence. There were six thousand spectators, and at the request of several

foreign sportsmen, we publish this little book in English, so that they with

others may have the opportunity of learning this very old yet new style of

wrestling. It is true that, - at any rate among the older people, - there is a

spirit of conservatism in most nations which influences them to hold their

national sport exclusively for themselves, but so assured do we feel that

much benefit will be derived form the practice of this style of wrestling by

other nations , larger than our own, that we put such considerations aside.

Once commenced amongst foreigners we believe that every educated nation,

to a greater or lesser degree, will take it up. It’s practice is its

commendation. To shape and perfect it has been no easy task, and has

absorbed a tremendous amount of time. The balancing principle is not

acquired in a day, nor a month, nor a year; in fact, some men spend all their

lives and never manage it. No other sport requires so much practice. Clever

acrobats have spent a lifetime at it, and not reached anything like perfection.

The game is carried out in the same way it was eight hundred years

ago. All the maneuvers bear the same name, and very little change has been

made as a whole since the eleventh century. Some few new maneuvers have

been added, and two or three have been discarded, owing to their calling for

more brute force than gymnastic ability. Amongst these are the “Giantess

Trick”, the “Bull Trick”, and the “Deceiver’s Trick”. Another thing worthy

of note in this style of wrestling is, that there are no weight sections as in

“Greco-Roman”, “Catch-as-Catch-Can” etc. The light-weight man has

equally as good a chance of winning as the heavily built one, the secret lying

in keeping one’s balance, not so much in strength or weight.

Icelandic wrestling necessitates a strong and elastic waist. Though the

entire body is exercised in wrestling, the greatest strain is on the waist.

Running, walking, jumping, swimming, in fact all kinds of bodily exercise

require to be practiced, so as to make the body supple and nimble. Each

trick must be performed sharply and decidedly if the object is to be gained.

The tricks are so numerous and intricate, that unless one is always on the

alert, the game is lost. Strenuous exercise is the only thing calculated to

teach this. It seldom happens that a bout is longer than ten minutes, even

though experts take part.

Volumes may be written in explanation of the numerous tricks,

without conveying to the reader, however, a sufficiently clear idea as to how

to perform them. It is necessary to study carefully the illustrations of the

various positions, and to put them into practice, before grasping the essential

idea of the trick.

It is obvious that the cost of such an exercise is a mere nothing in

comparisons to others. We are convinced that a cheaper and more beneficial

game does not exist. It may be practiced in an ordinary ten feet square

apartment or on level ground anywhere, providing there are no stones. No

carpet is required, and a man may wrestle in his ordinary clothes, on his

stocking soles, or in a pair of soft shoes. In the clubs, however, it is a rule

that every wrestler must have a grip on the left hip and the right thigh of his

wrestling knickers, or on a leather belt, either of which may be bought for

four or five shillings. Carpets and special clothing of course are used at

tournaments, sports, concert, etc.

Rules

1) Before any trick is commenced, the lawful wrestling grip must be taken.

2) The grips may be slipped for the purpose of relieving oneself, or

preventing oneself from falling and of using “Hand touch”.

3) Seizing the opponent’s clothing or body apart from the above named

lawful grips is prohibited. Certain tricks, however, may be laid with the

palm of the hand, both as independent and auxiliary tricks.

4) It is not permissible to beat or smite with the hands, feet, or head. Each

trick must be laid .

5) It is not permissible to foul in any shape or form, or to stand prepared for

a grip with the back bent, feet apart, and the seat out.

6) A fall is counted when any part of the body above the knee or elbow

touches the ground.

7) Brotherfall (Breadrabylta), that is, when both fall at once, does not count.

8) The judge’s decision in doubtful points is final.

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