If you enjoyed this story from MixedMartialArts.com, then check out more stories on:
•Male vs. Female
•Martial Arts on The Street
•Dojo Storms
Glima, or Nordic folk wrestling, was the most widespread sport during the Viking era. It was practiced in all classes of society, and women participated as well. Where Vikings gathered, wrestling was invariably a part of the entertainment.
Many modern-day Scots are descendants of Vikings. If you don’t believe historic accounts, just take a trip to the Highland Games. There, along with the famed caber toss, ancient shot put, and hammer throwing events, you will likely find Highland wrestling. While this used to be traditionally a competitive bout between men in kilts, women now compete alongside and even against men.
The traditional Celtic combat sport has its roots as early as the 7th century, and the rules are remarkably similar to those of Glima. While Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling are the most popular worldwide, and Folkstyle dominates in the USA, indigenous forms of wrestling survive across countless cultures, including Backhold in Scotland.
Scottish Backhold Wrestling Rules
A Scottish Backhold bout starts, as the name implies, with the competitors locked against one another, in an Over Under, with arms gripped. Once the competitors are in position the referee shouts, Hold.
This signals the start of the bout, with the goal being to break your opponent’s grip or send them to the ground. Only the soles of your feet are permitted to touch the ground, anything else is a loss. Bouts are typically the best of five, and as a result fluke victories are rare.
Female vs. Male in Backhold Wrestling
Although the Highland games were designed specifically for men nearly 1,000 years ago, today men and women both compete, typically with each other, but sometimes we see females vs. males.
In the video, the lady may be the bigger competitor, but she utilizes trips and throws very effectively to win 3-0 in short order.
