3 Grappling Traditions Compared

Nearly every culture from around the world has developed a combat style and philosophy. From traditional fencing and boxing to the Karate craze of the 1980’s, combat arts have a place in American culture. 

According to the 2022 Outdoor Participation Trends Report, participation in martial arts has increased by approximately 23% since 2010. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) went from a $2 million venture to a $10 billion global phenomenon in less than 30 years. A number of the most popular mixed martial arts fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier have a background in grappling. 

Grappling is the catch-all term for any martial art that favors grabs and holds over kicks and punches. The word grapple comes from an Old French term meaning “hook.” The grappling arts are a set of rich and varied traditions, each with their own history and methodologies. 

Western Wrestling

Wrestling is almost as broad a term as grappling itself. Three common western forms include Greco Roman, Freestyle and Folkstyle (also called collegiate wrestling). These grappling styles are not to be confused with Professional Wrestling which is much more of a performing art than a sport. 

Greco-Roman wrestling dates back to the ancient Greek olympic games. Today, both Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling are events in the Olympics. The biggest difference is in the rule set. Freestyle allows legs both offensively and defensively while Greco-Roman focuses completely on upper body holds. 

Folkstyle Wrestling is practiced at the high school and university level. Willmar Senior Highschool in Minnesota defines its wrestling philosophy in terms of three factors: position, pressure and score. 

Jiu Jitsu

Jiu Jitsu is a Japanese grappling style. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is widely considered to be the fastest-growing martial art today. With its arsenal of joint manipulations and chokes, Jiu Jitsu can be deadly. 

Judo is an offshoot of Jiu Jitsu developed in Tokyo by Professor Jigoro Kano. It is less deadly than the original with the emphasis less on self-defense and more on competition. 

The Jiu Jitsu/Judo gi, the tunic worn by the practitioners actually inspired the uniform most would associate strongly with Karate. The gi was designed to offer as many anchors as possible. Unlike most other sports, grabbing and pulling on clothes is not only tolerated but actively encouraged. 

Sumo

One of the most unique grappling forms is Sumo Wrestling. In the West, Sumo is often treated as the butt of a joke but it is a respected artform in traditional Japanese circles. It is even Japan’s official national sport. 

The reason for the unique body type of many wrestlers is the lack of weight classes in the sport. Therefore, wrestlers must increase their mass in order to stay competitive. 

It is as much a mental game as it is a physical competition. Sumo strategy involves intimidation and many religious and culturally significant rituals. Some of these rituals include drinking sacred water and salting the ring before the match begins. 

Final Thoughts on Grappling Traditions

Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu and Sumo are just three of the many grappling methods practiced worldwide. Each represents a different grappling philosophy with a unique tradition. There is more than one right way to pin your enemy.