Top 17 Most Common Wrestling Styles in the World

Wrestling is a sport that is a lot more complicated than you may think it is. You all know wrestling as a sport in which two players are fighting with each other and they are following no rules. This is not wrestling. Wrestling is completely different. It has a lot of different styles. There are some styles which you may have seen but you have no idea that it is also wrestling. Following is a little bit of an introduction to wrestling just to make your concepts clear. All styles of wrestling are also explained below.

Wrestling can have different definitions on the basis of different wrestling styles. But generally, wrestling is a combat sport in which two players fight with each other, and they both are unarmed, i.e., they cannot use any weapons. Throughout the fight, they both try to hold each other down and take advantage over their opponent fighters.

Although there are a lot of wrestling styles in the world currently, the following are the most common wrestling styles that you must know.

Freestyle is the most common and most popular wrestling style of all styles. When people say wrestling, it means that they are talking about freestyle wrestling. Freestyle wrestling was introduced into the Olympics in 1904. Freestyle wrestling was evolved from catch wrestling. The reason why this style of wrestling is termed freestyle wrestling is because a player can attack both the legs and upper body of their opponent. You can attack the whole body of your opponent when you are in freestyle wrestling. This sport was started in the colleges of the USA and then spread fastly to high schools in the United States of America, thereby strenghtening its position as the most popular wrestling style.

There are only two styles of wrestling that are featured in the Olympics. One is Freestyle Wrestling, and the second one is Greco-Roman Wrestling. In Greco-Roman Wrestling, you cannot attack on your opponent’s legs. You have to focus only on the upper body for attacks. This form of wrestling has a long history that started 500 years ago. This wrestling style got a major boost when a French soldier named Jean Exbrayat used this form of wrestling to show it at local fairs. At that time, this style was known as Flat Hand Wrestling. Later on, the name of this wrestling style was changed from flat-hand wrestling to Greco-Roman Wrestling by Italian wrestler Basilio Bartoletti. It was once the most popular form of wrestling in the world. Currently, it shares the spotlight with Freestyle Wrestling in the Olympic games.

Folkstyle wrestling is the collegiate wrestling, widely played in US colleges. It is similar in many contexts to the Freestyle Wrestling. But rules are changed a little bit to keep things interesting and the audience captured. In folkstyle wrestling, the point system favors the one who escapes from the bottom position dramatically. A locked hand rule is very interesting in Folkstyle wrestling; a player can lock their hands across their opponent while attempting a takedown or pinning their opponent. But if they are riding their opponent, then they can’t lock their hands across their opponent.

Catch wrestling was started in 1870. Its origin is linked to the British sportsperson John Graham Chambers. It is also called as “catch as catch can.” This form of wrestling became popular when British people (English men) started playing this form of wrestling at regional fairs. They introduced many new techniques while showcasing this form of wrestling. They introduced different submission holds and hooks. Catch wrestling was introduced in the Olympic games in 1904. This game has no submission rule. It resulted in the emergence of the Freestyle form of wrestling in the Olympic games. It affected martial arts like Sambo and Luta Livre. This wrestling style is mostly famous for its leg lock system today. Josh Barnett was the most famous in the catch wrestling.

Mongolian wrestling, also known as Bokh is deeply embedded in the culture of Mongols. Mongolian wrestling traces are found in the cave painting, which proves that this wrestling has been a part of the Mongols since 7000 BC. This form of wrestling is full of entertainment. Fans love watching it. The wrestlers wear beautiful, colorful attire. The fighters wrestle in the dirt circle. The rule is very simple in Mongolian wrestling. Both wrestlers try to hold each other down and put each other on the mat. If any part of the body other than the foot touches the ground, then that wrestler loses. Mongolian wrestling combines the wrestling styles of Greco-Roman, Sumo, and Judo.

In Serbia, wrestling style is common which is very similar to Mongolian wrestling. The wrestlers wear colorful attire, just like in Mongolian Wrestling. But it has a slightly different rule set than Mongolian Wrestling. This wrestling style is known as Khuresh or Tuvan.

Khurash is a distinctive form of wrestling which is popular in Central Asia and Russia. It blends the wrestling style of Judo. It has some unique rules. The wearing of a towel is necessary for the wrestlers playing in the Khurash. Wrestlers wear a towel and compete in the open fields on the mats. The match starts when both wrestlers grip each other's towel. They use it for throwing each other with the towel. This proves that Khurash depends not only on the power but also on the tactical skills and strategic throws.

Collar and elbow wrestling is also known as Irish Jacket Wrestling. This wrestling style is common in Ireland and a part of Irish ancient heritage and culture. In this wrestling style, the wrestlers wear jackets, that’s why it is termed as Jacket wrestling. The wrestlers fight with each other by gripping each other’s jackets. They use jackets as a medium to throw each other. Just like Khurash, in which a towel was used for gripping and throwing opponents, but in collar and elbow wrestling, a jacket is used. This wrestling style has some variations in the UK. One example of such a variant is Cornish Wrestling, in which the aim is similar to throwing the opponent on the mat flat on their back.

This wrestling style is one of Russia’s premier wrestling styles maintaining its legacy and traditions. Sambo combines the wrestling styles of Judo with various other styles. It was officially recognized in 1983. This wrestling style is played in shorts, which emphasize takedowns and submissions. It has also adopted some elements from martial arts, such as strikes from Mixed Martial Arts.

Senegalese wrestling is popular in Senegal, a country in West Africa. This wrestling style is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Senegalese people. This is similar in many things to Folkstyle wrestling. Matches are held in the dirt circle. Slaps are permitted to initiate takedowns. Wrestlers playing Senegalese wrestling try to execute a dramatic overhead takedown or to kick their opponent out of the designated area. It makes this wrestling style not only a test of strength but also of skill, strategy, and stamina.

Schwingen originated in the seventeenth century among Alpine herders and farmers. It is a Swiss wrestling style. It became the highlighted element in the festivals. The wrestlers in Schwingen wrestling style wear farmer-style attire. The goal is simple. The wrestler has to grip their opponent’s britches and throw them on the ground. Schwingen combines physical challenge with cultural heritage and maintains its popularity as a test of skill and strength.

Shuai Jiao is the ancient Chinese wrestling style. It is known as the original Chinese wrestling. In modern wrestling competitions, it is represented as a blend of wrestling and Judo. The wrestlers wear light Gi jackets, pants, and wrestling shoes. In the Shuai Jiao wrestling style, points are scored through both tosses and takedowns. It is a part of ancient Chinese culture and heritage. It is also practiced in the Chinese military and police highlighting its importance as enduring relevance and tactical utility.

Scottish Backhold wrestling is a very old wrestling style that started many centuries ago. It is also a part of culture in Britain and Iceland. The match starts when both wrestlers clasp each other. Common to Freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling and Folkstyle wrestling, the rule is simple but challenging in Scottish Backhold wrestling. Wrestlers try to throw their opponent on the ground or break themselves free from the hold of their opponent. Matches are usually played in a series of five matches. It is a part of ancient Scottish culture and tradition.

Ssireum wrestling is a South Korean wrestling style. It is a part of ancient South Korean tradition and culture. This wrestling style was originated in the 4th century. In the Ssireum wrestling style, wrestlers wear shorts and SATA. SATA is a belt similar to that in Sumo and mostly red in color. Matches are played in the dirt circle. The wrestling match starts when wrestlers are on their knees and grip each other’s SATA. The goal of wrestlers is to touch any part of their opponent’s body above their knees on the ground. This ancient wrestling style is a blend of strength and strategy.

Sumo wrestling is a part of ancient Japanese culture and tradition. Japanese people have been playing this Sumo wrestling style for thousands of years. Originally, this wrestling style was a ritual dance for rain. The matches are played in the dirt ring. Before the match, some ceremonial activities are performed, such as scattering the salt on the dirt ring. The wrestlers wear loincloth, known as mawashi, with silk cloth for lower ranking and black cotton cloth for higher ranking. The goal is the same as some other wrestling styles, such as forcing and throwing your opponent on the ground. The wrestler wins the match by forcing their opponent to touch the ground. Another goal is to force the opponent to move out of the dirt ring. The wrestler wins by throwing their opponent out of the dirt ring. Many techniques are used for achieving these goals such as palm strikes to unbalance their opponent.

Turkish oil wrestling is the traditional and popular wrestling style in Turkey. It is a respected wrestling style across all parts of Turkey. It is also termed grease wrestling. In this wrestling style, both wrestlers are covered in oil. This is a unique form of wrestling in which oil is used as a resistant element. Oil on the body makes the body slippery. It becomes difficult for the wrestlers to hold their opponent’s body for executing takedowns, submissions and other attacks. The wrestlers wear shorts with no shirt.

India boasts a wide range of wrestling styles, each with its own unique techniques and traditions. Some Indian wrestling styles include Gatta Gusthi, Inbuan, Mukna, Kabaddi, Malla-Yudda, Malakhra, malyutham, Vajra Musthi and Pehalwani. These are all Indian wrestling styles. There are a little bit of differences in each wrestling style. The wrestling style correlates with the culture of the city in which that style is common and popular.

Wrestling is played in the whole world but there is not a single wrestling style that is played all over the world. Accordingly, the rule sets are also different with respect to the wrestling style and origin country. The wrestling you often watch is the Freestyle wrestling. Only two wrestling are played world wide that is Freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Every country has its own style of wrestling and its own rule set that they have been following for centuries. They are part of their traditions.

Freestyle is the most common and most popular wrestling style of all styles. When people say wrestling, it means that they are talking about freestyle wrestling. Freestyle wrestling was introduced into the Olympics in 1904. Freestyle wrestling was evolved from catch wrestling. The reason why this style of wrestling is termed freestyle wrestling is because a player can attack both the legs and upper body of their opponent. You can attack the whole body of your opponent when you are in freestyle wrestling. This sport was started in the colleges of the USA and then spread fastly to high schools in the United States of America, thereby strenghtening its position as the most popular wrestling style.

Freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling are the only two types of wrestling that are played in the Olympics.

There are only two styles of wrestling that are featured in the Olympics. One is Freestyle Wrestling, and the second one is Greco-Roman Wrestling. In Greco-Roman Wrestling, you cannot attack on your opponent’s legs. You have to focus only on the upper body for attacks. This form of wrestling has a long history that started 500 years ago. This wrestling style got a major boost when a French soldier named Jean Exbrayat used this form of wrestling to show it at local fairs. At that time, this style was known as Flat Hand Wrestling. Later on, the name of this wrestling style was changed from flat-hand wrestling to Greco-Roman Wrestling by Italian wrestler Basilio Bartoletti. It was once the most popular form of wrestling in the world. Currently, it shares the spotlight with Freestyle Wrestling in the Olympic games.