Cornish Wrestling

What is Cornish Wrestling?

Cornish Wrestling is a traditional grappling art from Cornwall, England, with records dating back to the Middle Ages. Wrestlers wear jackets and aim to throw opponents cleanly onto their backs.

It is one of the oldest surviving folk wrestling styles in Europe, with cultural ties to Celtic heritage.

Why Train Cornish Wrestling?

• Cultural Preservation – part of Cornwall’s identity.

• Unique Rules – jacket wrestling with emphasis on clean throws.

• Safe & Respectful – tradition of sportsmanship.

• Historic Legacy – centuries of documented practice.

How Does Cornish Wrestling Compare?

• Vs Judo – similar jacket grips, but fewer ground techniques.

• Vs Glima – both upright, but different gripping systems.

• Vs Wrestling – folk vs Olympic style.

Cornish Wrestling in Europe

Still practiced in Cornwall with small tournaments, it shares similarities with Breton Wrestling in France, showing cross-cultural European roots.