Guide to wrestling

Wrestling was part of the ancient Olympics and is possibly the oldest sport known to man.

The sport
Wrestling takes many forms, but at the Olympics there are just two types - Greco-Roman and freestyle.

In freestyle competitors can use all parts of their body to execute moves and holds. In Greco-Roman use of the legs to make any contact is forbidden.

Matches take place on a mat, and last for two periods of three minutes, with a 30-second break in between.

Getting started
You can take up wrestling from the age of eight. If you want to give it a try, the British Wrestling Association is the best place to start.

Yvonne Ball, British Wrestling Association
Tel: [phone]

www.britishwrestling.org