The question “Is Wrestling A Martial art“? Has a response that requires a lot of thought.
Martial Art Definition: any of a number of fighting and self-defense styles (including karate and judo) that are also widely practiced as sports.
When most people hear the term “martial arts,” the first thing that pops into their heads is a mental image of the fighting styles practiced in Asian countries, most specifically those of East Asia.
Although the aforementioned modes of combat are considered to be forms of martial arts, the term “martial arts” does not refer solely to these types of fighting.
But does wrestling count as one of the various forms of hand-to-hand combat that are included in martial arts?
Does Anyone Seriously Think Wrestling Is A Martial Art?
Recently I read an article on: Why Is Wrestling NOT Considered A Martial Art? At least here in the United States, most kids’ first introduction to wrestling is what they see on television.
Such as WWF or ECW which unquestionably demonstrates more showmanship, athleticism, and entertainment value.
In addition, there are those who believe that wrestling is a sport that is comparable to others such as archery, Javalin, etc.
Movies that portray actors such as Bruce Lee, Gorden Liu, Chuck Norris, Cynthia Rothrock, Van Dam, etc as actual martial artists leave some wondering is wrestling a martial art.
What Type Of Martial Art Is Wrestling?
Greco-Roman wrestling is an Olympic sport that takes place on a mat with a big circle in the middle. Greco-Roman wrestlers aren’t allowed to hit their opponents in the legs.
Instead, they have to grab them around the waist or higher. There are many ways to decide who wins a bout. The wrestler who gets the most points wins.
Japan’s national sport is sumo. Sumo’s goal is to force your opponent out of the ring or to touch the ground with anything other than his feet. Sumo wrestlers can weigh 300 pounds. Sumo wrestlers train and live in stables. Wrestlers eat chankonabe, fish, pork, rice, and vegetable stew. Wrestlers eat chankonabe to bulk up.
Catch wrestling uses submission holds and pins to win bouts. This type of wrestling, sometimes known as catch as catch can, began in rural England.
Carnival fighters would take challenges from peasants for money. Choke grips aren’t allowed in catch wrestling, however, this regulation wasn’t always followed in carnivals.
Catch wrestling is still practiced in Lancashire and Cumbria, England, and many of its tactics have been adapted by MMA fighters.
Professional wrestling is well-known. Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Triple H are well-known wrestlers. In professional wrestling, the winners are frequently choreographed.
In the ring, wrestlers develop good or bad personalities, called heels. The crowd cheers for one wrestler and boos another, resulting in high audience participation.
Professional wrestling is a demanding, intense, and talented sport, and a little technique or time error can cause significant injury.
Submission wrestling matches are won by forcing a submission, usually with a painful joint lock or choke. Submission wrestling contests start standing but swiftly go to the mat as each wrestler tries to obtain a lock or choke.
Submission wrestling is the backbone of mixed martial arts, Brazilian jiujitsu, Japanese Shooto, and Greek pankration, the world’s oldest combat art.
As you can see for yourself there are many styles that would indicate wrestling a martial art is not too far-fetched.
Our Kung Fu Perspective Is “Wrestling A Martial Art”?
I have said many times Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is not a new phenomenon. Wrestling is every bit a martial art that other martial arts are.
We would simply just call it a form of grappling. And deal with wrestlers the way we deal with other ground fighting arts.
Just look at the relationship between Jujitsu and wrestling. Not to mention other grappling arts.
Sensitivity training is an important part of wrestling. Sensitivity is one of the keys to unlocking martial artist skills, according to our opinion.
In fact, because wrestlers can be formidable opponents we spend a good amount of time training grappling. If you ask me, wrestling is deserving of the moniker of “Martial Art.”
How about you? Do you consider wrestling a real martial art?
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