Antonio Graceffo over at Wrestling Roots has just written a comprehensive and impressive chronological overview of the development of wrestling in the west. Accompanied by a great bibliography make sure to check this out and spread word to any students, scholars, or other interested historians.
Click here for the entire article.
| 1848, | Greco-Roman wrestling was born in France. The Greco Roman style is unique in that it forbids attacks to the legs. The wrestlers must possess powerful upper bodies and have the ability to lift and throw their opponents. (Sparta Club, history of the Greco) |
| 1870’s | Catch-as-catch-can, or Lancashire wrestling, or just “Catch wrestling” was invented in Lancashire, England. Catch wrestling matches can be won by pin, choke, or submission. They had no time limit. And a title fight once lasted for over 11 hours. (Launchpad) |
| 1896 | Greco-Roman wrestling was included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and has been included in every summer Olympics held since 1908. (Olympic.org,WRESTLING GRECO-ROMAN) |
| 1904 | Catch wrestling was included in the St. Louis Olympics. All of the competitors were Americans. And consequently, the US won all of the medals. It was also included in the 1908 London Games and the 1920 Antwerp Games. (Nash Aug. 2012) |