History of World Wrestling Traditions

Introduction

World wrestling traditions encompass approximately one hundred distinct traditional wrestling traditions across the world, with continuous documented practice from ancient origins through the modern global folk wrestling tradition. The principal world wrestling traditions include Mongolian Bökh (the principal Naadam festival wrestling tradition), Turkish Ya?l? Güre? (the principal Turkish oil wrestling tradition at the K?rkp?nar festival), Iranian Pahlavani (the principal Iranian Zurkhaneh wrestling tradition), Senegalese Laamb (the principal Senegalese wrestling tradition), Indian Pehlwani (the principal Indian Akhada wrestling tradition), Sumo (the principal Japanese wrestling tradition), Schwingen (the principal Swiss alpine wrestling tradition), Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling (the principal British North England wrestling tradition), Catch as Catch Can (the principal British Lancashire wrestling tradition), Glíma (the principal Icelandic wrestling tradition), Gouren (the principal Breton wrestling tradition), Khuresh (the principal Tuvan wrestling tradition), Kushti (the principal Iranian and Indian wrestling tradition), and various other principal world wrestling traditions. This article surveys the principal world wrestling traditions.

Mongolian Bökh

Mongolian Bökh (the principal Mongolian wrestling tradition) extends from ancient Mongolian steppe equestrian and military tradition. The principal Mongolian Bökh tradition involves competitive Mongolian wrestling at the principal Naadam festival (held annually in July at Ulaanbaatar and various Mongolian regional Naadam festivals). The continued Mongolian Bökh tradition through subsequent decades has continued. The principal Mongolian Naadam festival was inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. The principal Mongolian Bökh competitive structure involves the principal individual single-elimination tournament, with various principal Mongolian Bökh master titles including Arslan (Lion, the principal Naadam champion title), Avraga (Titan, the principal multiple-time Naadam champion title), Zaan (Elephant, the principal Naadam runner-up title), Nachin (Falcon, the principal Naadam quarter-final title), and Garid (Garuda, the principal Naadam semi-final title). Principal Mongolian Bökh competitors include various Mongolian sumo wrestlers including Asash?ry? Akinori (Dolgorsürengiin Dagvadorj, the multiple-time sumo Yokozuna), Hakuh? Sh? (Mönkhbatyn Davaajargal, the multiple-time sumo Yokozuna), and various other principal Mongolian Bökh competitors. The continued Mongolian Bökh broadcast tradition has continued through subsequent decades.

Turkish Ya?l? Güre? and K?rkp?nar

Turkish Ya?l? Güre? (the principal Turkish oil wrestling tradition) extends from the medieval Turkish military and cultural tradition. The principal Turkish K?rkp?nar oil wrestling festival (held annually at Edirne since 1346) is the principal traditional Turkish oil wrestling festival. The continued Turkish K?rkp?nar oil wrestling festival annually since 1346 has continued through subsequent decades, with the K?rkp?nar oil wrestling festival being among the oldest continuous annual sporting events in any era. The principal K?rkp?nar oil wrestling festival was inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. The principal Turkish K?rkp?nar oil wrestling festival principal Ba?pehlivan (the principal K?rkp?nar oil wrestling champion title) tradition has continued through subsequent decades. Principal K?rkp?nar Ba?pehlivan champions include Kara Ali Pehlivan, Kurtdereli Mehmet Pehlivan, Adal? Halil Pehlivan (the principal late 19th century K?rkp?nar Ba?pehlivan, the K?rkp?nar Ba?pehlivan for 27 consecutive years across 1850-1877), and various other principal K?rkp?nar Ba?pehlivan champions. The continued Turkish Ya?l? Güre? tradition has continued through subsequent decades.

Iranian Pahlavani and Zurkhaneh