Cornish wrestling - Definition and Overview

Cornish wrestling or 'wrasslin' as it is sometimes called in Cornish English is a form of wrestling similar to judo. The referee is known as a 'stickler', and it is from here that the popular sense of the word as a 'pedant' etc originates!

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 wrestling was more reliably reported to have taken place before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

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.

• About Cornish Wrestling (http://ejmas.com/jwma/articles/2000/jwmaart_roberts_0400.htm)
• Cornish Wrestling Association (http://cornishwrestling.tripod.com/)