Cornish wrestling
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Cornish wrestling (or 'wrasslin' as it is sometimes called in Cornish English) is a form of wrestling similar to judo, which has been established in Cornwall (South West of the UK) for several centuries. The referee is known as a 'stickler', and it is claimed that the popular meaning of the word as a 'pedant' originates from this usage.
The wrestlers in the Cornish style both wear jackets enabling them to gain better grips.
History
Cornish wrestling has a long history, and Geoffrey of Monmouth suggests Historia Regum Britanniae, of c. 1139 that Corineus wrestled a Cornish giant, Gogmagog.Cornish wrestlers was more reliably reported to have fought at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. The Cornish men who went into battle held a banner of two Cornish Wraslters in a hitch.
Cornish and Breton wrestlers have long taken part in inter-Celtic matches since at least 1402 and these still occasionally continue.
The Cornish Wrestling Association was formed in 1923.
Ashley Cawley (son of Gerry Cawley, a well known Cornish Wrestler) is the current (2005) Heavy Weight Champion of Cornwall.
Cornish Wrestling at the Royal Cornwall Show
The Cornish Wrestling Association (CWA) still feature annually at the [Royal Cornwall Show], the Cornish Wrestling tent can be found in the Countryside area very near to the west entrance. In the Cornish Wrestling tent you will find a impresive display of Cornish Wrestling Trophies, belts, history, photos, books and DVDs. The Wrestlers perform demonstrations of their style in the Countryside ring, usually twice a day for each of the three days of the show. The demonstrations feature most of the throws and moves of the Cornish style and also feature demonstration bouts usually with a variety of wrestlers from youngsters, girls, lightweights and heavyweights.See also
External links
- [The Official Cornish Wrestling Association]
- [About Cornish Wrestling]
- [An article on early Cornish Wrestling from the Journal of Western Martial Art]
- [Cornish Wrestling by the BBC]
- [Another article, from a reconstructionist web site].
- [John McMahon, Nineteenth-century Irish wrestler]
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