RAYKO PETROV

100 YEARS OF OLYMPIC WRESTLING

FILA
 RAYKO PETROV

100 YEARS
OF OLYMPIC WRESTLING

This history of Olympic wrestling

is dedicated to the 100th anniversary
of modern Olympic Games

m
сюр
FILA
Copyright International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
1997

Publisher: International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles

(IAWFS)

President: Milan Ercegan

Av. Juste-Olivier 17, CH-1006 Lausanne, Suisse

Editor:
Mihály Biro

Design:
László Mészáros

Cover:
János Mihályfi

5WERK Printing & Publishing & Distributing Co. Ltd.

H-1037 Budapest, Királylaki út 47.

Director:
László Mészáros
 CONTENTS
Page Page

PREFACE 7 4.2. Decline and Revival 64

4.3. Renewal of FILA 65
FORWARD 9

5. OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL EUROPEAN

1. THE HISTORICAL ROOTS 11 AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 67

1.1. Wrestling - Personality - Civilization 11

1.2. The Immortal Olympic Ideas 15 6. GREAT STRIDES FORWARD 69
1.3. The Renaissance and a New Pedagogical
Approach 20
1.4. Stength and Inertia of the Tradition . 24 7. DIVERSITY OF STYLES 79

1.5. Legends Inspired by Wrestling 32

8. OLYMPIC WRESTLING
2. MODERN OLYMPIC GAMES 43 ON THREE CONTINENTS 89
2.1. Introduction 44
2.2. The Beginning 46 9. PROGRESS IN THE SHADOW
OF POLITICS 97

3. GREAT TRANSFORMATION
OF WRESTLING 51 10. LOOKING FORWARD 111

3.1. The Challenge of the Time 51 10.1. Balance, Imbalance and Progress 111

3.2. Failure of New French Ideas 51 10.2. The Start of the XXth Century 130

3.3. The First Steps 10.3. Modern Spirit of Competition 141

of Free Style Wrestling 54
10.4. Strategy and Pragmatism 148
3.4. Both Wrestling Styles on
the Olympic Programme 54
3.5. The Scandinavian Wave 57 11. THESE IMPORTANT PERSONS HAVE
ATTENDED WRESTLING EVENTS 151

4. THE BIRTH OF FILA 61

4.1. The Foundation of FILA 61 12. ANNEXS 156

5
Milan Ercegan
 PREFACE
In 1996 the sporting community solemnly
marked the centenary of the Renaissance of the
Olympic Movement. Modern Olympic Games have
attained global importance. Thanks to the powerful
influence of mass media all sports disciplines on the
Olympic programme are disseminated worldwide.
As an organization representing wrestling, the
corner stone of the Olympic Games since ancient
times, FILA has appropriately marked this important
jubilee of the most popular social movement of the
XX-th century.
Among its numerous initiatives taken towards
that aim stands the book: 100 Years of Olympic
Wrestling by prof. Rayko Petrov, ranking among Fl-
LA's most outstanding contributions to the celebra-
tion of this lofty event.
This book may be considered as a follow up to
the already published monography: Olympic
Wrestling Throughout the Millennia, very popular
with the readers.
On the grounds of a historical and logical analy-
sis, the author brings to the attention of the reader a
number of facts and important trends within the de-
velopment of wrestling and its international bodies,
by focusing on the continuity of wrestling, its evolu-
tion and process towards modernization.
I firmly believe that this book will not only gain
popularity with the readers, but also make them
reflect on the past, present and future of wrestling.
Milan Ercegan
President of FILA
7
 <
Ray ko Petrov

8
 FORWARD
In spite of the millennia long tradition of
wrestling as part of Olympism, the last 100 years
may be considered a "golden century" in its evolu-
tion. In ancient times Olympic wrestling was restrict-
ed to the Hellenic world. Nowadays it has attained a
global level encompassing and embodying all ethi-
cal values of our time. Actually, the wealth of modern
wrestling-both Greco-Roman and free-style-epito-
mizes hundreds of traditional forms. It is thanks to
creative and resourceful coaches and athletes that a
whole range of outstanding techniques and tactics
have been developed. By adopting the Rules of
Wrestling the international bodies have also signifi-
cantly encouraged the development of modern
wrestling.
It is always very difficault to deal with recent his-
tory. Due to lack of historical distance the field of vi-
sion is restricted, abundance of facts makes selec-
tion very difficult and the criteria for evaluatioan is
often affected by emotions. Moreover, every in-
dividual has his, or her, own vision of the ex-
perienced events. This is, probably, the reason why
most authors prefer to compile compediums and
statistical data on wrestling, or write about distant
historical periods, rather than comment about the
current performance on the mat. FILA has decided
to fill in that gap by publishing four different books
on the history of wrestling: 50 Years of Greco-
Roman and Free-Style Wrestling Within the Interna-
tional Amateur Wrestling Federation (1912-1962):
Sixty Years of the FILA (1912-1972) by Sten Svens-
son ; 75 Years of Amateur Wrestling by R Strömbäck
and The 75-th Anniversary-1912-1987-of Modern
Wrestling by Milan Ercegan.
Attempts at historical analysis can also be
found in the works of: E.N. Gardiner, H. Lehmusto,
G. Kent, A. Castelli, M. Fitta, D. Padovan, E. Touny,
G. Lukas, R. Petrov and some others.
In their excellent publications the National Fed-
erations of Italy, Germany, Finland, Sweden,
France, Poland, the Check Republic, etc. have tried
to keep alive the memory of their traditional
wrestling. A great number of biographies and
memoirs published in different countries have also
contributed to the promotion of wrestling as a popu-
lar sport and encouraged future research into its
history.
This book is not a historical document and has
no such aspirations. Its sole aim is to reflect the
general atmosphere surrounding the development
of wrestling. Actually, the factors that have affected
the development of wrestling are not only more than
numerous, but also inconsistant and versatile.
Moreover, due to a limited scope of such books, on
the one hand, and on the other, the necessity to deal
with an impressive number of competitions, ath-
letes, coaches and sports leaders who have marked
the period under review, it was simply impossible to
devote due attention to, or to even mention, all those
who would merit it.
There is another problem. In official documents
the transcription of names is not uniform, and there-
fore without uniformity in this book as well. So, as it
is, we submitt it to your attention, in the hope that in
spite of its deficiencies, it will help you visualize that
since its marked continuous evolution during the
last 100 years, modern wrestling is well armed to
cope with the challenges of the forthcoming century.
The author
9
 1. THE HISTORICAL ROOTS
Modern wrestling embodies eternal features, ow-
ing to the fact that man has practiced it since times im-
memorial as part of his daily life, closely linked to his
customs and habits, his culture, his preparation for
1.1. Wrestling-Personality-
Civilization
Competition wrestling is an intricate activity,
some kind of a clash between physical and mental
abilities of the wrestlers involved. On the mat the
wrestler is all alone, face to face with his opponent.
His victory depends only on his strength, his strong
will and clever mind. During combat the circum-
stances change within split seconds, which also en-
tails emotional changes in the contestants. Actually,
it is difficult to simultaneusly practice offensive and
defensive wrestling, attack and defend oneself, dis-
guise one's own intentions and try to anticipate the
opponent's plans and reaction, keep calm and col-
lected in spite of strained nerves, and take decisions
within the shortest possible time in spite of a lack of
relevant information. During the training sessions
and wrestling matches all groups of muscles are in-
volved, all articulations, all sensorial organs, the
will, the mind the overall personality of the wrestler.
According to Gerald Anton Vieth, one of the most
outstanding founders of the German school of gym-
nastics, "there is no other sport which helps de-
velop the strength of the muscles better than
wrestling; wrestling is the very best of all forms of
gymnastics".
Wrestling is a natural sport, accessible to all,
since no special equipment, or expensive appara-
tuses are required for its practice. On the other
hand, the division of the wrestlers into weight cate-
gories provide to all competitors-men and women-
equal opportunities to assert themselves and excel
at this sport. Moreover, wrestling plays a crucial role
in the physical development of the individual, main-
warfare and his vital needs. An outstanding amount of
rich and diversified sources of reference have provid-
ed for the wealth, vitality and beauty of the revived
Olympic Games during the last hundred years.
tenance of personal hygiene, and promotion in all
fields of education.
Outstanding physical, mental and intellectual
abilities required for success in wrestling are not
only crucial for earning sports titles and winning me-
dals, but these abilities greatly help the wrestler to
enhance his social status and be competitive in vari-
ous walks of life. (Table 1.)
Modern society is an increasing threat to in-
dividualism. Some outstanding thinkers, such as
Thomas Carlyle, opposing that trend, claim that the
hero cult represents a driving force in society,
whereas José Ortega y Gasset protests against this
development, "reducing man to an average quanti-
ty", and believes that sports, including wrestling,
should serve as vehicle for asserting one's own per-
sonality and individuality, for creating a public name
and boosting morale. It is also a well known fact that
many outstanding personalities have practiced
wrestling, including: Plato, A. Dürer, Avicenne, A.
Lincoln, G. Washington, A.S. Pushkin, R. Tagore, N.
Wiener, etc.
There is no symbol that embodies our times
better than Rodin's THE THINKER. This remarkable
statue has aroused numerous controversies and
was even compared to the ancient sculpture HER-
CULES RESTING. Actually, the resemblance is only
apparent. Hercules is taking a rest and preparing
his muscles for the forthcoming combat, whereas
THE THINKER, created over two thousand years la-
ter, leaves the impression of mental power, a strong
will and creative spirit reflecting modern times.
11
 Strengthening of health

Handsome and well built body

Physical and mental potentials

Increased working capacity

Volitive and mental qualités

Social and mental status

Social activities

Competition fitness

Self-defense

Active rest

SOCIETY

Healthy individual

Productivity of labour
I
National prestige
X
Military potential

I
Recreation

J_
Helps remove social and nervous tension

Table 1. Effects of wrestling on the individual and society

Single combat was born and has developed its
numerous forms within a historical process involv-
ing all humankind. The first artificial movements in
wrestling, both against animals, or other humans
(holds, locks, blows) represent an outstanding
achievement of the human mind. On the other hand,
a repeated and constantly improving implementa-
tion of these movements has stimulated the intellec-
tual development of the human mind. Single com-
bat (in its various forms) has played a crucial role in
human development, in the preservation of the hu-
man species and its evolution. Single combat is one
of the primary cultural factors directly linked to the
ability to work and be engaged in combat, directly

12

August Rodin: The Thinker
linked to the religious rituals, folklore, etc. The most
prominent development of single combat took place
within the so called great civilizations, which in order
to survive and prosper, had to rely on outstanding
creative individuals.
The first authentic evidence of the development
of wrestling can be traced back 5000 years among
Lisippus: Hercules, Roman replica, 2nd century,
The Historical Museum, Vidin
the Sumerians. The epic poem GILGAMESH in
cuneiform writing, the base-reliefs, sceaux-cylindre
(cylinder seals) and sculptures provide evidence of
the first competitions in wrestling with officiating and
musical accompaniment. The wrestlers and holds
shown in these works of art also provide information
on various schools of wrestling existing at that time.
13

Sumerian wrestling. The Bagdad Museum (3000 B.C.)
Gilgamesh is actually the embodiement of a
philosopher, statesman and wrestler who has im-
bued all the knowledge available in his time, and
thus equiped, was able to build temples and irriga-
tion systems and face the challenge of the divine
Enkidu.
Drawings of wrestlers. Beni-Hassan (2500 B.C.)
Archeological and historical traces of wrestling
in Ancient Egypt are also numerous. Wall-paintings
discovered in the Beni-Hassan tomb are particularly
significant, showing 400 pairs of wrestlers. These
wall-paintings, along with numerous other material
proofs, reveal that Ancient Egypt had its Wrestlers'
Association, organized international wrestling com-
petitions attended by the pharaohs and had its own
rules of wrestling and officiating at competitions. It
was thanks to the Egyptians that a military skill had
been transformed into a sports discipline.
The island of Crete and Micenae are the cradle
of the European civilization and the intermediate
link between the Eastern and Western forms of
wrestling. Crete is actually, the source of the rich
Greek heritage in this field. Homer is the first histori-
an of wrestling with his most impressive descrip-
tions in the ILIAD and the ODESSY, of the combat
between Nestor and Archaïs and between Ajax
(Aias) and Ulysses (Odyseus), the wrestling match-
es of the Phaeaciens, etc.
Written proofs on the development of wrestling
can also be found in the Indian epic poems RIGVE-
DA, RAMAYANA, FURANA and others. In China a
dozen different forms of wrestling were very popular,
including: Djaoli, tchich-ushi, goü-ti, ou-chou, etc. In
Eastern civilizations sports events were part of mili-
tary preparation and an aspect of various religious
and philosophical doctrines and teachings.
During the millennia that followed, wrestling
continued to play an important cultural role as an in-
tegral part of all civilizations existing in those times.
 1.2. The Immortal Olympic Ideals
The Olympic ideals have very deep roots in an-
cient history and have always had a great social im-
pact. Their ethical attributes and great popularity
can be compared to the preaching and philosophies
of the most widespread religions. After a period of
1,170 years these ideals were relegated to silence
only to be reborn 1500 years later, to once again
serve mankind and to promate the qualities of his
physique, spirit and moral. The Olympic Games
were linked to Zeus and his Pantheon and their tri-
umphs under these auspices served the purpose of
promoting religion and its unification. The Olympic
Games also contributed to the unity and solidarity of
Greek cities (city-states), to an overall harmonious
development of the individuals involved, to the de-
velopment of sports, and to the development of
science and arts.
In Ancient Greece wrestling was held in high
esteem as a divine sport based on divine science
and art. Legend has it that wrestling derives its di-
vine origin from the goddess Athena Pallas who en-
dowed this sport whit its rules. According to other
legends the author of the rules of wrestling was
either Hermes, Prometheus, Hercules, Theseus, Ja-
son, or Palestra. Thus, that the origin of the rules of
wrestling were divine remained uncontested.
All unbiased historians of ancient times recog-
nize the fact that Ancient Greeks, including their
most outstanding philosophers, writers, sculptors,
army commanders and many others, obtained their
training in palestras and gymnasia where wrestling
was one of the main activities in the curriculum.
At the Olympic games single combat was a cru-
cial part of the competition and was practiced in
three different forms: Orthopalê, as part of the pen-
tatlon, was introduced in the Olympic programme
in 708 B.C. and as part of the pancracium in 648 B.C.
Later on, all forms of single combat for seniors can
be found on the programme of the Olympic, Isthmi-
an, Pythian and Nemean Games.
In order to win in single combat the wrestler had
to bring down his opponent or throw him three times
on his back, hip, chest, knees or elbows. The victory
could be earned by a 3:0, 3:2 and 3:1 score. The
athletes wrestled naked, their skin oiled with rubbed
in olive oil and then powdered with fine sable or spe-
cial types of fine dust. Judging by the wall-paintings
and written descriptions from that distant past, an-
cient wrestling was similar to modern free- style
wrestling. It is a great mistake to look for the origin of
the Greco-Roman wrestling in ancient Greece,
which some authors do. Actually, this style was de-
veloped in the XIX-th century and its name only
reflects a belated interest in the classical values of
ancient times.
The pancratium (a combination of wrestling
and boxing) was most popular with the spectators. In
this type of combat the point was to, in standing po-
sition, perform various holds and exchange blows.
The performance of the holds was allowed only on
the ground including painful locks and strangle
holds.
The pentathlon was a complex event consisting
of five different disciplines: discus, javelin, long
jump, running and wrestling. The exact order in
which these disciplines were practiced at the Olym-
pic Games and the rules and requirements govern-
ing victory have not yet been identified, and their es-
tablishment is still a controversial issue. However,
there is no doubt that wrestling was the cruicial dis-
cipline of the pentathlon, among other things, be-
cause it was the last in the programme of the com-
petition.
At the time, different forms of wrestling were
practiced, including: acrocheirismos (based on
finger locks) alindêsis (widely practiced during train-
ing sessions) and many other regional forms.
The methodology of wrestling was highly deve-
loped. The training was conducted by the coaches
(panditribes). A training cycle consisted of four days
of practice and one day of rest. Before each compe-
tition, training session were more intensive and last-
ed 10-12 hours a day. In addition to being engaged
in training, the athletes also had to observe strict
rules of sporting life. The Greeks were familiar with
most of the basic holds.
The engravings on the amphorea originating
from Andokides, and Exekias, a GROUP OF WRES-
TLERS (the Uffizi Museum in Florence), and other
works of art demonstrate a perfect performance of
wrestling holds according to modern standards. The
Greek and Roman way of throwing the opponent
15
 Wrestlers in Ancient Egypt (1400 B.C.)

16
over the shoulder could even nowadays serve as a
pattern of how these actions should be performed.
Actually, the sculptors used the wrestlers as
models for their works of art, because as Hegel
rightly said, "it was their bodies that created the
sculptures". Milo of Crotone (Pythagora's student of
philosophy) was one of the most famous wrestlers,
six times Olympic Champion, ten times winner of
the Isthmian Games, nine times winner of the Ne-
mean games and five times winner of the Pythian
Games. Many Triumphal odes were dedicated to
him, extolling his exploits and his victories which
were also the topics of numerous legends. But, in
spite of all his lofty deeds he was punished for
haughtiness. Legend has it that he wanted to split a
tree into two with his naked hands, but his fingers
got caught between the two halves which clasped
back. Unable to disentagle his fingers he was thus
imprisoned in the forest and eaten up by the lions.
Many writers and two sculptors, Pierre Puget and
Etienne Falconet, inspired by this legend, turned it
into the topic of their respective works of art. Also, an
outstanding number of wrestlers were repeatedly
Olympic champions: Cahiron four times, Stratôn
three times, and so on. The list of names is rather
long. The interest in wrestling was widespread and
many outstanding personalities excelled in this
sport, including: the philosophers Socrates, Plato,
Cleanthes, Chrysippes, Democritus, Anaxágoras
 о
ce

18
and Prodikos, physicians Hippocrates and Hippias,
statesmen Clisthenes, Alcibíades, Philip II of Mace-
donia, etc.
Wrestling in Rome was based on a rich Etrus-
can and Greek heritage and it owes its development
to the revival of the Olympic Games. Numerous en-
gravings representing wrestling were found in Etrus-
can tombs, evidence testifying of the Greek influ-
enee in this sport fostered in Rome. The integral na-
ture of gladiatorial fights in public events, the priority
placed on military training within Roman civilization,
the emphasis placed on stoicism and violent be-
havior in the education prevailing at the time, cast
a dark shadow on all other sporting events,
Wrestling with its rude rules was a favourite sport
not only of young Roman aristocrats, but also of the
soldiers and shepherds. According to Classius
Dion, the Romans owe their military success to the
palestras. Among a plethora of outstanding names
those of Marcus Aurelius Guermarius, Euriches and
Aurelius Guelicus deserve special mention. Also,
many statesman and army commanders were
prominent in wrestling, patricularly: Scipio Africa-
nus, Marcus Anthony, Marcus Aggrippius, Marcus
Aurelius, Lucius Aurelius Commodus and Anthoni-
nus Pius.

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 In 394 the Roman Emperor Theodosius I is-
sued a degree by which he prohibited the Olympic
Games. This decision seriously jeopardized the
Olympic Ideals which began to gradually lose their
glow, obscured by the darkness of the Middle Ages.
Fortunately however, these ideals were never totally
relegated to oblivion. Already in the XIV-th century
Pietro Vergerò and Rambaldon raised their voice in
favour of the Olympic Games. At the same time a
Bulgarian writer Isai'e speaks in his texts about the
Olympic Games and sports. In 1430 Matéo Ralieri
raises the issue of the revival of the Olympic Games,
which was later on supported in their written texts by
Massuros (1516), Fober (1500), Mendes (1532), Mer-
curialis (1573), Fubrus (1590), Korsini (1838), Krauss
(1838), etc.
In 1793 the German pedagogue Johann Chris-
topher Friedrich Guts Muths very strongly support-
ed the idea of reviving the Olympic Games, but in
spite of the wholehearted support from numerous
1.3. The Renaissance and
the Pedagogical Approach
The main feature of wrestling is the variety of its
forms fostered in practice, its constant and stable
evolution and its adaptibility to the changes and re-
quirements of the time. Modern wrestling actually
comprises the wealth of hundreds of different forms
of traditional wrestling, both the existing and these
of the past, which numerous outstanding athletes,
gifted for creative activities, succeed in mastering
through training and practical experience.
The Renaissance rediscovered man as a physi-
cal being and replaced the ideal of asceticism with
one of an individual bursting with health, strength
and joy of life. The nude bodies depicted by the
Renaissance painters reveal a special kind of rela-
tionship between the body and spirit, thus giving a
different meaning to the value system. Therefore, it
is only natural that the presentation of ancient
heroes and athletes engaged in single combat
could provide a new incentive and approach to art,
by placing emphasis on the ideal image of a strong
and handsome body. Antonio Pollaiolo portrays the
combat between Hercules and Antheus, the master-
piece in front of which Kennet Clark, an outstanding
art critic, exclaimed : "One of the most extraordinary
20
partizans for this idea, he did not succeed in his
cause. On the other hand, already in 1604, an En-
glishman by the name of R. Dorer, with the support
of King James I of England, planned the holding of
the Olympic Games within four years time, renamed
as the Cotswold Games, with wrestling, fencing, rid-
ing and some other sports on the programme. Un-
fortunately this idea was nipped in the bud by British
conservatives. In 1772 Prince Leopold-Friedrich-
Franz von Dessau organized the Games in the vicin-
ity of Dresden, which as a sporting event lasted for
only seven years.
Some sparks were also coming from Olympia
with the idea of firing up the Olympic flame. Archeo-
logical excavations in the XVIII-th and XIX-th century,
conducted by Richard Chandler from Great Britain
and Favuel from France, on a French expedition in
Morea, and the excavations conducted by two Ger-
man archeologists: Curtius and Adler, also contribut-
ed to the revival of the Olympic spirit and ideals.
pictorial presentation of muscular strength." Porta
della Mandorta paints his SAMSON, B. Cellini his
PERSEUS, Canova his HERCULES and THESE-
US, and Verrocchio and Donatello have each left us
a vision of DAVID. Later on, these same topics were
taken up by Vincenzo de Rossi, Tintoretto, Caravag-
gio, Nicolas Poussin, Guido Reni, Dürer, Van Dyck,
Rembrandt and many others. Michelangelo's wall-
paintings representing Biblical heroes and saints
with athletic bodies, and particularly his sculptures:
DAVID, HERCULES AND ANTHEUS, and HER-
CULES AND CACUS, inspire our most sincere and
lasting admiration. The sculptures of Falconet and
Puget representing the outstanding wrestler Milo,
JACOB'S COMBAT WITH GOD by Van Dyck, Rem-
brandt and Delacroix, the wrestlers of Gustave
Courbet, and others, are primarily the portayal of
genuine single combat with allegorical meaning,
embodying and reflecting man's social and spiritual
aspirations. The impact of these works of art was
particularly great on the social elite involved in
wrestling in their respective closed circles. In the
castles and palaces, wrestling coaches were very
much in demand. In the Far East wrestling coaches
 *

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Pollaiolo: Heracels and Antheus.

The Uffici Museum, Florence

21
 5IUÕ Ьсш (іоЬсх. beo $>ans SxtÜíjofer,
bes größten ^cd)tmciftcrs. im 15.^aljrfyunbert
taught their skills both in the palaces and monaster-
ies. In the Middle East the strongest wrestlers were
recruited into the Shah's guard and the Sultans
offered them high positions within the army. In some
CODES OF CHIVALRY wrestling is one of the com-
pulsory disciplines. Up until the Xll-th century
wrestling and fencing were taught together. Around
1300 Liberta da Primeracco wrote a CODE OF NON-
ARMED COMBAT. THE WALLERSTEIN CODE
enumerates all basic holds performed in the XV-th
century. Similar holds can be found in some texts
from remote periods, among which the best known
are those by: Paul Kahl, Liechtenauer, Ott, Thal-
hofer, Walhausen, PH. Meier, etc. The first printed
book was issued in 1500 and the first printed MANU-
AL OF WRESTLING in 1512. It contained colour pic-
tures of 120 holds by the famous German painter Al-
brecht Dürer. THE ART OF WRESTLING by Fabian
von Auerswald, state minister, was published in
1539, another notable book on this sport. These two
books depict complex offensive and defensive
holds. WRESTLING IN THE TRENCH by Hans
Wurm, from around 1500, still provokes animated
discussions. This book describes various aspects of
wrestling : as a sports activity, as a comic sports per-
22
formance combined with hobbling, as a means for
resolving various differences instead of going to
court, etc.
In the XVI-th century interesting and precious
books on wrestling were written by Peter Hlötner, V.
Solks, Nicolais Peter, Léon Alberti and by the most
outstanding of them all, Romeyn de Hooghe, a
Dutch engraver. Numerous books on wrestling testi-
fy to the importance of its social role at the time.
Court writers have left a great number of written
descriptions of wrestling contests between the no-
bles. Among the kings famous for their physical
strength Charlemagne, Richard I the Lion-Hearted,
Maximilian I, Henry II, Francois I, Auguste II the
Strong, Peter the Great, Henry VIII and Abdülizaz
deserve to be mentioned by name.
The members of the German orders: BRO-
THERS OF SAINT LUKE and BROTHERS OF
SAINT GEORGE also practiced wrestling in Saint
Mary's College in Winchester (founded in 1384) and
Martin Luther, the great religious reformer, recom-
mended it to his disciples and followers. Vittorino de
Feltre, an Italian pedagogue, used to teach basic
wrestling to children. In the XVI-th century this
sports disciplines can be found in the Zwickau and
 Romain de Hooge: Wrestling

Magdeborough school curriculums. James I, King
of England, wrote A BOOK ON SPORTS. Under the
influence of this book many eminent pedagogues
supported the idea of teaching wrestling as part of
the curriculum. Rabiais' hero Gergantua and Rous-
seau's hero Emile also practiced wrestling.
Motaigne, J.J. Rousseau, RH. Pestalozzi, J.A.
Komensky, J.B. Basedow, G.A. Vieth, Francois
Amoros, Franz Nachtegal, M. Tirsch, P.F. Lesgaft
and many others were keen supporters of wrestling.
John Locke, a great English philosopher and
teacher, once said: "I would rather prefer my son to
become a good wrestler than a good fencer".

23
 1.4. Strength and Inertia of
the Tradition
Traditional (folklore) forms of wrestling stem
from traditional culture, ethnic features, historical
memory, weather conditions, the ruling system of
values and the social and individual needs and re-
quirements. Various factors, including the weather
conditions, have determined the nature of wrestling
practiced among the peoples living in the North
(GLIMA in Iceland, Eskimoan wrestling, Swedish
wrestling styles: CUVBIRLAND, BISCAST etc.) with
the holds of the cloths and waist. Gripping of clothes
is also widespread among the peoples practicing
wrestling on horseback (the Mongolian BOKH, the
Kourdish, Tartar and Kazakh KURESH). Actually,
wrestling on horseback is popular all over the
Middle East. Peoples physically taller prefer
wrestling in standing position on the ground and
practice holds of the body and clothes (The Scan-
dinavians, the Kelts, the Georgians, Germanic and
Slavic groups, etc.). Some others, on the other
hand, place special emphasis on agility and speed
(the Japanese, Turks, Koreans).
Each traditional form of wrestling has its own
name, some of which can be found in Table 2.
Competitions in wrestling as part of various so-
cial and religious events and traditional customs
were organized within the celebrations of religious
and non-religious holidays, at funerals, within bap-
tism rites and magic rituals, the rite of circumcision
in the Muslim world, etc. As part of everyday life
wrestling was practiced: during times of sowing and
harvest at various social gatherings and events,
(such as fairs, etc.), as one of the ways of solving
controversial issues, as a means for winning a lead-
ing position (that of a commander, leader of a group,
etc.) as an opportunity to win an object of status in-
cluding even a beautiful girl, etc.
The organizers, or sponsors of these competi-
tions were outstanding individuals, or groups (com-
mittees), chiefs of administration, knights and no-
bles, even kings. The winners were awarded all
24
sorts of prizes, including animals, different objects,
money, even beautiful girls. There were no weight
categories. Most often the classification was based
on qualification categories (in BOKH, GÜRESH and
some other forms of wrestling).
The wrestling events were surrounded by a
noisy atmosphere, accompained with music, danc-
ing, prayers, solemn taking of oath (Keltic tradition),
magic rituals (Africa), singing of odes, music played
on various traditional instruments, kettle drums,
gongs, etc.
The rules of wrestling did not exist in the strict
sense. Victory was scored by fall of the opponent
(the fall with 3 points of contact of his body with the
ground), by throwing down the opponent three
times, by pushing him out of the combat area, by lift-
ing him, ex-aequo, on points, etc. The wrestling
technique was very diversified and greatly depend-
ed on the style practiced, on the clothes the wres-
tlers were wearing, the way of greasing the body be-
fore combat, the restrictions provided for by the
Rules, etc.
In some countries traditional wrestling is very
similar to modern styles currently practiced and
therefore remains a permanent source of inspiration
to top wrestlers. Actually, many top wrestlers, includ-
ing: Baladavzé, Dagistanly, Takhti, Stantchev,
Sirakov, Kaplan, Movahed, Tediashwilly, Andiew,
etc. have started their sports career by practicing
traditional wrestling.
As a very popular sport it was celebrated in
many epic songs, such as: NIBELUNGEN, CID,
CHAH-NAMÉ, KALEVALA, MANAS, the epic songs
about ILYA MUROMETS, King MARKO and many
others, in numerous works of art and literature. Actu-
ally, all these works glorify man's heroic spirit and
strength.
Highly appreciating the values of traditional cul-
tures, FILA has decided to award traditional wrest-
ling the status of independent styles.
 Traditional (Folklore) Wrestling Table 2

Lancashire (Great-Britain) Bhimcencée (India) Koures (Kirghisia) Glima (Iceland)

Cornwall (Great-Britain) •\zura (India) Khourech (Tuva) Lutte populaire (Bulgaria)
Djarazandji (India) Gouchti (Tadjikistan) Ssirium-ha-ki (Korea)
Cumberland (Great-Britain)
Nara (India) Gulech (Azerbaïdjan) Lutte bretonne (France)
Westmorland (Great-Britain)
Bando (Thailand) Gurech (Turkmenia) Lutte léonine (Spain)
Loosehold (Great-Britain)
Letoussi (Burma) Lutte de Khiva (Turkmenia) Lutte canarienne (Spain)
Norfolk (Great-Britain)
Nabast (Burma) Ristines (Lituania) Tchidaoba (Georgia)
Berslate (Malaysia) Kokh (Armenia) Biscast (Sweden)
Shooting (Great-Britain) Beigtag (Sweden)
Pendjak-silette (Indonesia) Kourdstan-tustuu (Yakut wr.)
Catch-gold (Great-Britain) Bondetag (Sweden)
Arias da mene Khapsagai (Yakut wr.)
Devonshire (Great-Britain)
(The Philippines)
Rangeln (Tyrol) Gouchti de Boukhara Rigcats (Sweden)
Ou-chou (China)
(Tadjikistan)
Galfava (Portugal) Goutzanguiri (Tadjikistan) Beltescast (Sweden)
Kio-li (China)
Moulapta (Arab wrestling) Khatkabi (Daghestan) Cragtag (Sweden)
Shinji-zumo (Japan)
Mossara taban (Arab) Ankoumara (Abkhasia) Armtag (Sweden)
Toja-zumo (Japan)
Istlish taban (Arab) Toutouch (Tcherke wrestling) Akseltag (Sweden)
konaki-zumo (Japan)
« A la ceinture >• (Russia) Kestik (Afghanistan) Boukatag (Sweden)
Karasu-zumo (Japan)
« Né v skhvatkou » (Russia) Kusag-güres (Turkey) Livtag (Sweden)
Gorai (Brittany)
Trinta dreapta (Moldavia) Yagli-güres (Turkey) Rintapaïni (Finland)
Mazendarani (Iran)
Trînta kunedika (Moldavia) Kouchti (Pakistan) Ritpaïni (Finland)
Guilan (Iran)
Kouriach (Tartar wrestling) Barilda (Mongolia) Viopaïni (Finland)
Kochti perse (Iran)
Kourach (Ouzbékistan) Bokh (Mongolia) Toubata (The Sudan)
Kordi (Iran)
Sais (Kazakstán) Koures (Kazakstán) Béri (Senegal)
lliati (Iran)
Schwingen (Switzerland) Mundje vence (Albania) Olva (Senegal)
Psarani pata (India)
Oodarich (Kirghisia) Rvanje (Serbia) Zvaha (Togo)
Hanoumantée (India)

25
 Hokusai: Sumo

Teh. Badamjavin: Mongolian wrestling

&&m
26
 Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling

Breton wrestling

27
Swiss wrestling

The korean "Ss/reum" wrestling

28
 great number of sumo, güres, Persian koshti and
other wrestlers the practice of this activity was their
only occupation.
France is the first country of organized profes-
sional wrestling in modern times. The wrestlers, who
were not allowed to mix with the social elite, or-
ganized their first professional companies already
in the first half of the XIX-th century (in Bordeaux,
Lyon and Paris). They also participated in various
shows. According to German sources between 1830
and 1850 French wrestlers used to organize in Ger-
many travelling shows demonstrating "standing
wrestling". Later on, under the French influence,
wrestling became popular in Austria-Hungary, Italy,
Denmark, Russia and many other countries,
promoting a new style called: Greco-Roman, classi-
cal or French.
The most outstanding names in wrestling at
that time were: Jean Dubois (France), Basilio Bar-
toletti (Italy), and Ladislaus Pytlasinski (Poland).
They were masters of their sport and guiding lights
to a great number of young and talented wrestlers in
many countries. At first professional wrestling was
faithful to all sport qualities and wrestlers were
Jan Dubois

Basillio Bartoletti

33
 1.5. Legends Inspired by Wrestling

All outstanding wrestlers-from Milo of Crotona
to the Russian "bogatiry" (knight) Alexandre
Karelin-were personalities with a legendary halo of
fame. Professional athletes were particularly popu-
lar, thanks to their beautiful bodies, attractive public
events and experience they offered to their fans.
Professional wrestlers existed already in an-
cient times. Mighty rulers, emperors, kings, sultans,
shahs, rajahs, feudal lords, etc. always endeavoured
to have in their courts wrestlers specially trained for
attractive wrestling performances, which was part of
their master's social status and promotion. For a

Eugene Sandow

32
 great number of sumo, güres, Persian koshti and
other wrestlers the practice of this activity was their
only occupation.
France is the first country of organized profes-
sional wrestling in modern times. The wrestlers, who
were not allowed to mix with the social elite, or-
ganized their first professional companies already
in the first half of the XIX-th century (in Bordeaux,
Lyon and Paris). They also participated in various
shows. According to German sources between 1830
and 1850 French wrestlers used to organize in Ger-
many travelling shows demonstrating "standing
wrestling". Later on, under the French influence,
wrestling became popular in Austria-Hungary, Italy,
Denmark, Russia and many other countries,
promoting a new style called : Greco-Roman, classi-
cal or French.
The most outstanding names in wrestling at
that time were: Jean Dubois (France), Basilio Bar-
toletti (Italy), and Ladislaus Pytlasinski (Poland).
They were masters of their sport and guiding lights
to a great number of young and talented wrestlers in
many countries. At first professional wrestling was
faithful to all sport qualities and wrestlers were
Jan Dubois

Basillio Bartoletti

33
 Kazakh wrestling

30
 Senegalese wrestling

Braslllan wrestling

31
 1.5. Legends Inspired by Wrestling

All outstanding wrestlers-from Milo of Crotona
to the Russian "bogatiry" (knight) Alexandre
Karelin-were personalities with a legendary halo of
fame. Professional athletes were particularly popu-
lar, thanks to their beautiful bodies, attractive public
events and experience they offered to their fans.
Professional wrestlers existed already in an-
cient times. Mighty rulers, emperors, kings, sultans,
shahs, rajahs, feudal lords, etc. always endeavoured
to have in their courts wrestlers specially trained for
attractive wrestling performances, which was part of
their master's social status and promotion. For a

Eugene Sandow

32
 great number of sumo, giires, Persian koshti and
other wrestlers the practice of this activity was their
only occupation.
France is the first country of organized profes-
sional wrestling in modern times. The wrestlers, who
were not allowed to mix with the social elite, or-
ganized their first professional companies already
in the first half of the XIX-th century (in Bordeaux,
Lyon and Paris). They also participated in various
shows. According to German sources between 1830
and 1850 French wrestlers used to organize in Ger-
many travelling shows demonstrating "standing
wrestling". Later on, under the French influence,
wrestling became popular in Austria-Hungary, Italy,
Denmark, Russia and many other countries,
promoting a new style called : Greco-Roman, classi-
cal or French.
The most outstanding names in wrestling at
that time were: Jean Dubois (France), Basilio Bar-
toletti (Italy), and Ladislaus Pytlasinski (Poland).
They were masters of their sport and guiding lights
to a great number of young and talented wrestlers in
many countries. At first professional wrestling was
faithful to all sport qualities and wrestlers were
Jan Dubois

Basillio Bartoletli

33
 Ladislaus Pytlasinsky
proud of their beautiful and strong bodies which
they abundantly displayed in public. Frederic Müller
the Saxonian was the best of all. Under the as-
sumed name of Eugene Sandow he appeared in
numnerous circus and music-hall performances
demonstrating his outstanding mastership in
wrestling. Jean Exbroyat founded the first modern
company of circus wrestlers. After his death in 1872
Rossignol Rollin, barrister from Lyon, took over the
company and become the boss. He had a great ta-
lent for publicity, "arranged" matches, for distribut-
ing awards alledgedly coming from the "public", for
34
selection of high sounding nick-names given to his
wrestlers, such as : Heracles, Apollo, The Monster of
Sahara, etc. The names of Felix Bernard, Pietro
Dalmasso and Abdullah Jeffery also remain
memorable. Sometimes amateur wrestlers would
defeat professionals. This is how Rabier, Ambroise
le Berger, Charles Arpin and later on Nicholas
Petrov, Ivan Paddubny and others began their
wrestling careers, until later on, after some time of
amateur practice, becoming professionals.
The Rules and the programmes of competi-
tions varied to suit the taste of the wrestlers, their
Georg Hackenschmidt

35
 Kara Osman, F. Nurulas, К. Yusuf and F. Doublier

36
ш Brasserie
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programme Officiel de la 2 Journée
DIMANCHE 14 AVRIL 1901

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LES SÉANCES DU CHAMPIONNAT Шт

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au Vendredi ig Avril inclus
à 8 heures précises d u soir

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On peut prendre s e s places e n location de 1О h e u r e s d u m a t i n à midi
et d e 2 h e u r e s à 4 h e u r e s

Programme of Wrestling Competitions

37
 Ivan Poddubny
managers and their fans. The Rules published by
Paul Pons provided for a break of combat every ten
minutes. The lifted wrestler was allowed to lock his
opponent's legs (Article 5); on the ground the wres-
tler was only once allowed to perform a lock with his
legs; the wrestler was allowed to jump on the back
of his opponent in bridge position; it was forbidden
to lock the opponent's legs with hands; victory was
proclaimed in case of instantaneous fall. The wres-
tlers coming from the East were allowed to use their
legs in combat, but in a limited way, in order to make
allowance for their lack of skill in French (Greco-
Roman) wrestling.
At the end of the XIX-th century wrestling was
the trendiest sport in Europe. Thanks to the efforts of
Dr. J. Reour, count Saint-Martin and Léon Bill the As-
38
sociation of French Athletes (Société des Athlètes
Français) was founded in 1890 with almost 200
members. A similar association, Wandsbeker Ath-
leten Club (Hamburg) was founded in Germany
even before France, in 1879. Fifteen years later it
was an important sports organization with an out-
standing membership of 1,300. Following in these
footsteps athletic clubs have been founded in many
other countries with the view of promoting and sup-
porting the interests of wrestling and providing ap-
propriate sports preparation to amateur wrestlers.
At the time the heroes of the international mat
were: Colossus, nick name of the French wrestler
Paul Pons (195 cm), the Monster of the Orient, nick
name of the Turkish wrestler Kara Ahmed: Lion of
the Balkans, nick name of the Bulgarian wrestler Ni-
 colas Petrov; Champion of Champions, nick name
of the Russian wrestler Ivan Paddubny, etc. Many
outstanding names in wrestling at the time still
arouse interest in their sports mastership and feel-
ings of admiration for their achievements. They were
international wrestlers in the truest sense of the
word. Many of them did not live in their native coun-
tries, but wherever the most interesting competi-
tions were being organized, or else in the countries
where they had the most numerous and ardent fans.
French and Belgian wrestlers: Jean Dubois, Paul
Pons, Constant le Boucher (the butcher), Constant
le Martin, Laurent le Beaucairrois, Orner de Buillon,
etc. were very popular with wrestling fans. Outstand-
ing German wrestlers at the time were: E. Siegfried,
O. Scheider, J. Koch, M. Hitzler, Burghard, Sturm,
Strange, K. Abe, Schwartz, etc. Among the names of
outstanding Turkish wrestlers were: Coca Yussuf,
Kara Ahmed, Kurtdeley and Ibrahim who deserve to
be specially mentioned for their outstanding perfor-
mance. Nicolas Petrov and A. Dobritch were out-
standing Bulgarian wrestlers; Pytlasinski and
Cyganiewicz, father and son, were outstanding Pol-
Omer de Bouillon ish wrestlers; Delmasso and Raichevich were out-
standing wrestlers from Italy; Smeskhal and Frit-
stensky were outstanding Czech wrestlers; J.
Pedersen, V. Petersen, A. Anderson, V. Tominen, V.
Jearwinen and T. Koskinen, among many others,
were ouststanding Scandinavian wrestlers. The
Russians also had a great number of top masters in
wrestling, among whom three Ivans: Ivan Paddoub-
ny, Ivan Zaïkin and Ivan Vakhturov were particularly
notable. Georg Hackenschmidt, Georg Lurich and
A. Aberg (Estonia) were the most outstanding
masters of wrestling technique. Wrestling in Great
Britain and the USA was constantly following an up-
ward trend. Competitions were organized in the

Jacob Koch

39
Jess Pedersen

Lancashire "catch", the Scottish "dinnie", with va-

rious forms of traditional wrestling and in the Greco-
Roman style. In the USA the first championships in Georg Lurich
wrestling were already being organized in the mid-
XIX-th century. Armstrong McLaughlin, Tibault Baur
and many others mark the history of American
wrestling as legendary heroes of the mat. In 1890 Stanislav Zbyszko-Cyganiewicz
William Muldoon won the American Championship
in Greco-Roman style. Donald Dinnie from Scotland
decided to make a trip round the world covering all
his expenses with the money earned from wrestling
matches. In catch Monraou, A. Cameron, T. Jenkins,
F. Gotch and as of recently J. Stecker and K. Lewis,
have achieved outstanding results. Jim Londos, Dan
Kolov, Henry Deglane and Charles Rigoulot should
be mentioned as being internationally famous.
Wrestlers in Greco-Roman style were masters
in wrestling technique and tactics, which can be
proven by consulting the books published at that
time by Pytlasinski (1896), M. Kister (1897), L. Will
(1903), A. Oenaska (1907), G.M. Solovyov (1910),
etc. Dr. Georg Zadig is the author of the most impor-
tant book on wrestling published at the time, illust-
rated with holds performed by the most outstanding

40
Dan Kolov-Charles Rigoulot (1934). H. Deglane officiating
Ilya Bechlov: Wrestlers

*V4s вЛр\
IT j^jg/ ) У

.Ж
"^••'^?*3**^

41

Joe Stecker
professional wrestlers: Omer de Buillon, Nicolas
Petrov, Alexander Aberg, Cyganiewicz, Koch,
Lurich, Strange, Schwarz, Romanow, etc. According
to Aleks Aberg, a wrestler should be familiar with the
anatomy and psychology of the human body almost
as if they were psychicians. Laurent and Desbonnet,
also coaching at some special schools of wrestling
in Paris, guaranteed to their trainees an increase of
the volume of chest by 8 cm, of the biceps by 3 cm
of the neck by 3 cm, etc. after three months of
training.
Professional wrestling and its reputation were
seriously jeopardized by "arranged" matches, fixed
scores, presentation of wrestlers under false names
and false nationality, brutality and rudeness of com-
bat, unbecoming quarrels, etc. At first the winners
were determined behind closed doors. As of recent-
ly the approach to professional wrestling matches
has been completely changed. Now, like plays and
films, they are directed.
The life of professional wrestlers was very hard,
many of them suffered serious injuries, did not have
a family, lived the lives of emigrants and died in
poverty and oblivion... in his story In the Circus, A.S.
Kuprine describes the sad life and destiny of Ar-
buzov, a professional wrestler. He was forced to
compete in spite of a serious heart condition and
died after a short match against the American wres-
tler Reber. "Everything happened so simply and so
quickly, like blowing upon a candle burning in a dark
room, to extinguish it."
Professional wrestling was not accessible to
average people. An increasing number of amateur
wrestling clubs and training schools actually served
the purpose of meeting their requirements in this
sport.
Evaluation of professional wrestling at the end
of the XIX-th and beginning of the XX-th centuries
from the point of view of Olympic amateurism is very
often too severe and unjust. From the historical point
of view, professional wrestling has its merits within
the development of this sport. Its competitions con-
tributed to the popularity of the sport: professional
wrestlers were models of physical strength and cor-
poral beauty for the young to imitate; under its in-
fluence the training system was improving, etc. In
numerous professional clubs the amateurs also
could receive sports training and their coaches were
former professional wrestlers. Even Paul Pons had
his wrestling school, opened in 1886, where he him-
self wery often coached young wrestlers. Thus, in
many countries the experience acquired in profes-
sional wrestling was very early transmitted to
amateur wrestlers.

Anthropometric data of outstanding wrestlers Table 3.

Sizes
Name and S
SURNAME
URNAME Height Weight
Thorax Waist Neck Shoulder Leg Fémur

E. Sandow 170 78 122 80 41 41 40 60

G. Lurich 176 90 122 88 45 40 40 59
G. Hackenschmidt 176,5 93 125 85 50 47 44,5 68
. Poddubni 183,5 118 134 104 48 43 44 68
N. Jerebtsov 181,5 101 123 88 49 43 44 68

42
2. MODERN OLYMPIC GAMES

A pillar In the Olympic Museum In Lausanne

43
 2.1. Introduction

The revival and evolution of the Olympic To begin with the model of the ancient Olympic
Games was actually brought about by a number of Games served as a guiding light. It was this model
ideological, structural and functional activities un- which Pierre de Coubertin wished to revive, but with
dertaken towards that aim. an updated interpretation of the Olympic ideals suit-

Pierre de Coubertin

44
ed to modem times and requirements. In his en­
thusiastic efforts to revive the Games, de Coubertin
combined the ideals of the Renaissance with those
of the most outstanding French intellectuals, fitting
them into the framework of social movements in the
XIX-th century and enriching them with the latest
achievements in different fields of pedagogical
science. He rejects Rousseau's concept of educa­
tion for an isolated individual, embodied in his
EMILE and suggests the transformation of sports
into a social force, a social activity serving the well-
being of all.
In the XIX-th the century the revival of the Olym­
pic Games was one of the almost constant topics and
issues. A results of the archeological excavations and
a nine volume book, "OLYMPIA", by Ernst Curtius
was to provide a valuable support to these efforts.
Among numerous initiatives in favour of the
revival of the Games, those originating from Greece
had the brightest prospects for success. In 1838 the
municipality of Letrini, in the vicinity of Olympia,
adopted a plan according to which the competitions
were organized already the in following year. While
Curtius was using his best efforts to shed light on
ancient Greek values, Evaghelos Zappas, a Greek
general living in Romania, was taking practical
steps to revive the Games. In 1858 he set up and
adundantly founded the FOUNDATION OF THE
FRIENDS OF OLYMPIA. The FOUNDATION im­
mediately embarked on a project of building an exhi­
bition hall designed by Teophil von Hansen, a Dan­
ish architect. The first competitions took place
already in the following year, with the participation of
Greek athletes only. Success was moderate. Com­
menting on this initial effort Pierre de Coubertin
said : "It was a premature and clumsy revival." Simi­
lar competitions were also organized in 1870, 1875,
1888 and 1889. Evaghelos Zappas wanted to lead
the way and set an example, but did not succeed in
going beyond the Hellenic framework. This initiative
has however, been appraised as a logical link bet­
ween the dark past and uncertain future.
At the end of the XIX-th century, social and
historical circumstances favoured the revival of the
Olympic Games. Cultural, economic and trade rela­
tions between and among the countries were boom­
ing. The individuality of Man was fully recognized.
New scientific discoveries about the human being
were outstanding, particularly favouring the practice
of sports. This approach was translated into practice
by the creation of national sports organizations,
such as: the A.A.U. in the United States (1888) and
the following international sports organizations: Eu­
ropean Gymnastics Union (1881), The International
Federation of Rowing Associations (1892), The Inter­
national Skating Union (1892), The International
Gymnastics Federation (1897), etc. The setting up of
the International Olympic Committee in 1894 actual­
ly encouraged and accelerated the creation of new
international sports federations and national Olym­
pic Committees. In his book THE OLYMPIC GAMES
776. B.C-1895 Pierre de Coubertin gives a very
faithful description of all activities initiated in view of
reviving the Olympic Games. He also says: "The
XIX-th century is characterized by a revived interest
in physical exercise; at its dawn in Germany and
Sweden, at its mid day in England and at its sun set
in the USA and France. Moreover, the big technical
inventions such as the railway and telegraph, have
shortened geographical distances, which greatly
changed life-styles. The races began to mix, got to
better know one another and consequently, very
soon developed the desire to compare with one
another." In his book entitled A TWENTY ONE
YEAR LONG CAMPAIGN (1908) de Coubertin gives
a flash-back account of his life. With the aim of win­
ning a wider social support for his ideas he says:
"Germany has brought to light the remnants of
Olympia. It is now up to France to restore its
splendour!"
The first Olympic Congress was convened by
the initiative of Adolphe de Pallisaux and Pierre de
Coubertin. Baron de Coubertin (France), С Herbert
(G.B.) and W.M. Sloane (USA) were members of the
Organizing Committee. The Congress was officially
opened at the Sorbonne, on June 16, 1894. At the
very last moment it was named a Congress for the
revival of the Olympic Games. Twelve countries
were represented. The Congress was opened by the
Hymn to Apollo. In his address Coubertin placed the
emphasis on the Olympic idea, which like a ray of
light had pierced through the thick fog of centuries
re-emerging to illuminate the threshold of the XX-th
century with the brightness of hope. De Coubertin's
idea got full support. On the other hand, the Con­
gress rejected his proposal to start the new century
by organizing the New Olympic Games in Paris. It
was decided to revive the Games in 1896, in Athens.
Dimitrios Vikelas, a Greek writer, was elected Presi­
dent of the I.O.C. in line with the principle that its
President should come from the country hosting the
following Games. According to Carl Diem it was a
brilliant move to set up the Olympic Committee
whose main message should be "independence
with regard to all contemporary forces". The idea of
a total autonomy of the I .O.C. was severely criticised,
but in spite of all obstacles both the principle and the
Games have survived to this day.
In his MEMOIRSde Coubertin describes all the
difficulties connected with the organization of the
45
First Modem Olympic Games and the opening
scenario. First, King George I pronounced the ritual
words: "I declare the First Olympic Games of the
Modern Age open". Then followed cannon shots,
release of doves and the choir singing the Cantata
by the Greek composer Samara, specially com-
posed for the occasion. The competitions began im-
mediately after the ceremony. It is with a feeling of
relief and pride that de Coubertin also notes: "Our
efforts have now become part of history". In case of
failure, all the bright projects connected with the
revival of the Games would have turned into ashes,
thus sharing the destiny of Plato's utopias in the
REPUBLIC, the SUN CITY by Tommaso Campanel-
la, and the VOYAGE TO ICARIA by Etienne Cabet.
According to Arnold Toynbee, an outstanding histori-
an, de Coubertin was successful thanks to his
Renaissance erudition based on Hellenism.
With regard to his predecessors, de Couber-
tin's achievement is outstanding. He has created a
philosophy of Olympism which has assigned the
Games a new role within the democratization and
internationalization process of sports in general, in
promoting friendship among the athletes and peace
among the nations of the world, in encouraging a
harmonious development of physical, mental and
moral qualities in man and in offering a unique feel-
ing of joy and happiness which can only be ex-
perienced through the practice of sports... Dimitrios Vikelas, first President of the C.I.O. (1894-1896)

2.2. The Beginning

The first modern Olympic games were solemn-
ly opened on April 6, 1896, in Athens. The atten-
dance was outstanding: 120,000 spectators. It is
only at the X-th Olympic Games in Los Angeles, in
1932, that this impressive figure has been exceed-
ed. At the Olympic Games in Athens the number of
participating athletes (males only) amounted to 285,
from 13 different countries. Competitions took place
in the following ten sports on the Olympic prog-
ramme: track-and-field, wrestling, rowing, cycling,
fencing, gymnastics, weight lifting, swimming, tar-
get shooting and tennis.
Many athletes covered their own travel and ac-
comodation expenses in Athens, others were subsi-
dized by their respective clubs, universities, various
foundations, etc. At the opening ceremony only the
Hungarian delegation was in uniform.
Wrestling competitions were announced on
official posters and wrestling as a sport was men-
tioned on the first page of the Olympic Hymn com-
posed for this occasion (music by E. Samara, lyrics
by K. Palloma).
In Athens there were no weight categories in
wrestling. The rules were similar to those adopted
for professional Greco-Roman wrestling. During the
first round of competitions Christopulos (Greece)
defeated Popavicza (Hungary) and Schuman (Ger-
many) pinned down the shoulders of his opponent
Elliot (G.B.). The durations of the matches were not
limited and they lasted until one of the competitors
was victorious. It was also allowed to interrupt the
match and resume it the following day. In the French
paper "JOURNAL" in his article on wrestling com-
petitions at the Olympic games James Léon Olivier
says: "Tsitas and Schumann were fighting with
equal strength for a long time, but they had to inter-
rupt the match after sunset and resume it the next
day". The following day he writes: "The match
which was interrupted yesterday has been resumed
this morning. Both Schumann and Tsitas were using

46
**•»..

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Poster of the First Olympic Games in Athens ( 1896)
ч .»

47
 . ІФНЛОТНТА топ JklAAOXJQN
ÛNSTANTINON

nKÙOiSIÏ MOYZIKOY OIKOY

MIX. KONZTANTINIAH
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А НЫАІ

Front page of the Olympic Hymn ( 1896)

48

their very best efforts to perform holds. They are
champions worthy of each other, but the German
seems to be more skilfull and smarter. For some
time the score remained ex-equo, but all of sudden
Schuman managed to defeat his opponent and win
the Olympic Gold Medal." Tsitas was a famous
wrestler in traditional wrestling, and altough heavier
and stronger, he lost the match against the Ger-
man, who was better trained in Greco-Roman
style. His winning hold was the waist lock and fire-
Shuman and Tsitas
holding each other
Shuman and Tsitas
holding each other
man's carry throw. The fans also requested a match
between Schumann and Christopulos, but due to a
serious injury, he was content to remain in third
place.
After so many centuries the strongest men and
the olive branch were together again. Carl
Schumann, from Berlin, became the first wrestling
champion of the modern Olympic Games. His desti-
ny was rather sad. He did not deserve to be unjustly
forgotten, but that's the way of the world...
49
 3. GREAT TRANSFORMATION OF WRESTLING
3.1. The Challenge of the Time
The Olympic Games have been revived after an
interruption of over 1600 years. During that very long
historical span wrestling has had its ups and downs,
has been changing its forms, but in spite of all the
challenges has remained an integral part of human
life. Historical, political and ethnic changes have en-
couraged, or jeopardized the promotion of wrestling
and brought about the transformation of hundreds
of its traditional forms, in many schools and centers
of education in Europe, the USA, Japan and many
other countries, wrestling was practiced as part of
the curriculum.
The golden period of professional wrestling ac-
tually started at the beginning of the XIX-th century,
with Paris as it center. In Hamburg competitions in
wrestling were organized behind closed doors. It is
also behind closed doors that it was customary to
establish the rating of the wrestlers and determine
the winner of the following competitions, prizes, etc.
St. Petersburgh was the third most important
wrestling center at that time. Following in the foot-
steps of Ancient Greeks, Russian wrestlers main-
tained social contacts with outstanding personali-
ties in the field of culture: A.P. Chekhov, Maksim
Gorky, A.I. Kuprin, Feodor Chaliapin, Stanislavski,
Vakhtangov, chessplayer Alekhin, even with the
French sculptor Auguste Rodin when he visited
Russia. Chekhov used to organize wrestling compe-
titions for members of athletic clubs.
3.2. Failure of New French Ideas
There was no wrestling on the programme of the
second Olympic Games in Paris (1900), for various
reasons, but above all because of the impregnable
stronghold of professional wrestling. The organizers of
the World Exhibition wanted an attractive accompay-
ing programme for the event and even thought of or-
ganizing competitions in the game of billiards, chess,
and even fishing. A poster from that time shows the
Eiffel Tower with two wrestlers engaged in combat. For
that very occasion a play entitled The Philosopher and
Professional and traditional wrestling dominat-
ed a significant portion of social space and exer-
cised pressure on amateurs. At the time wrestling
still had no international center, no uniform rules, not
even an organized group of supporters to lobby for
its promotion with the I.O.C. Yet, in spite of all obsta-
cles and shortcomings, wrestling was developing
and strengthening its position. For wrestling the
XIX-th century was a period of great challenges, and
of a keen struggle against conservatism and tradi-
tion, and a period of new solutions, of international
cooperation, a period of tolerance and compromise.
History should be fair in evaluating the work per-
formed during that period and its positive achieve-
ments, including:
1. The development of both Olympic wrestling
styles;
2. Establishment of greater stability within the
Rules of wrestling;
3. Recognition of wrestling as an Olympic dis-
cipline;
4. Definition of amateur sports and its prin-
ciples;
5. Foundation of national wrestling organi-
zations;
6. Increased number of international competi-
tons, and
7. The revival of Olympic cultural and moral
values through wrestling.
Athletes, with wrestling on the stage, was performed
at the Sorbonne.
After the Olympic Games in Athens the number
of national and international competitions had con-
siderably increased, particularly in France, Germany,
Sweden, Hungary and Finland. The Rules of
Wrestling were not uniform, but they had a common
basis. The Rules of a wrestling championship held in
France, on April 14, 1904 given below will shed more
light on that issue.
51
*£№Aip¡^SfZ¡S¡¡¡Sk В К Ш Н ^Wrestling. Paris, 1900
- А1№^ШЦ№

Домр!** e $?

Poster of the first European Championship

in Greco-Roman Wrestling, Vienna, 1898

52
 RULES OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Article 1. - The Referee is the absolute master of
the wrestling competition. He imple-
ments the adopted Rules at his discre-
tion. His decisions are final.
Article 2. -The Championship is based on classifi-
cation points. Each victory is awarded 1
point.
The wrestlers defeated in the first match
fight against one another for participa-
tion in the semi-finals.
After two falls in semi-finals the wrestler
may be eliminated.
The title of the CHAMPION OF NOR-
THERN FRANCE is awarded to the win-
ner of the finals.
The title CHAMPION OF ROUBAIX is
awarded to the wrestler living in the
region of Roubaix (Northern France)
who has earned the greatest number of
points in the semi-finals.
Article 3. - Only holds above the waist are allowed,
and only those performed with an open
hand.
It is prohibited to grasp the opponent's
hand below the fist and perform the fol-
lowing holds:
- throat hold,
- twisting of the arms,
- twisting of the fingers,
- leg trip, and
- stretching the opponent's spinal co-
lumn.
Article 4. - After throwing down his opponent the
offensive wrestler should also go into
"per-terre".
Article 5. - The duration of the first bout is 15
minutes. When the winner cannot be de-
termined the referee decides to continue
the match for one or more bouts, even
for an unlimited duration. If again the
winner cannot be determined the
referee may disqualify the wrestlers, or
decide that they change opponents. The
winner will be the wrestler with the
highest number of points scored for ac-
tive, offensive wrestling.
Article 6. - Victory "by fall" is scored only if the op-
ponent remains in contact with the mat
with both his shoulders, for a given peri-
od of time.
Article 7. - The wrestler loses the match if he leaves
the mat under any pretext whatsoever.
Article 8. - The Time Keeper is in charge of keeping
the time of the duration of bouts, dura-
tion of breaks and interruptions.
Article 9. - The Referee will disqualify the wrestler
and request the Belgian Athletic Federa-
tion to procede accordingly, in the fol-
lowing cases:
- when he violates the Rules;
- when there is proof that he has "ar-
ranged" the match with his opponent,
- when he places bets on his, or his op-
ponent's victory, and
- breach of discipline, or insubordina-
tion during the Championship.
At the Olympic games wrestling enjoyed out-
standing social support. In his magazine "Biceps"
(1902) J. Metrel, writing about championships in
amateur wrestling, says: "Wrestling is not just one
of the sports; it is an eminent athletic sport which
deserves support in order to secure among ama-
teurs the place it deserves..."
Metrel emphasizes that "in order to be suc-
cessful, wrestling should have good guidance." He,
therefore, reiterates the idea already published in
his magazine that "an international federation
should be set up for providing guidance within the
efforts made to develop amateur wrestling".
"This idea deserves attention and it would be
normal for the athletes to support it. Unfortunately,
this was not the case. Some even protested against
the implementattion of that concept. This great idea
was simply nipped in the bud by ill-meaning and in-
competent sectarians and imbeciles, but above all,
by unsuccessful! athletes!"
"Fortunately, these protests will not impede the
regular development of amateur wrestling, because
the idea to set up an international amateur wrestling
federation has been endorsed by all those who want
to enjoy sports as such, and to encourage its de-
velopment through sports associations."
"All those eager to see wrestling on the top of
the list of sports strongly support the idea to set up
an international wrestling federation which would
secure a successful future for this sport," concludes
Metrel in his article.
Most probably the above article was a reaction
to the deletion of wrestling from the programme of
the Paris Olympic Games. Wrestling did not have its
Coubertin. It needed time to respond to the require-
ments of modern times.
53
 3.3. The First Steps of Free Style Wrestling
The Third Olympic games held in Saint Louis
(1904) were successful and meant a step forward in
the development of the Olympic movement. They
were the first Games held outside Europe, with the
participation of 496 athletes, out of whom 430 were
from the USA. For the second time the Games were
3.4. Both Wrestling Styles on the Olympic Programme
Competitions in both wrestling styles were or-
ganized for the first time at the Fourth Olympic
Games in London (1908). The mats were installed in
the stadium, parallel to the pool for swimming com-
petitions.
54
linked to a World Exhibition, even placed under its
patronge. The Games were opened on August 23,
1904 without a solemn halo, without speeches and
without an attractive show.
Free-style wrestling was on the Olympic
programme for the first time, with the participation of
40 wrestlers, all of them from the USA. At that time
wrestling was one of the most popular sports in the
United States. According to R. Dilinger more than
six presidents of the United States used to practice
wrestling (George Washington, Zachary Taylor,
Ulysses Grant, Andrew Johnson and Theodor Roos-
velt). Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest presi-
dents of the United States, among the many other
talents which he had, was also gifted for wrestling.
He was even of one time the US national wrestling
champion. At the time, the Rules of Wrestling were
similar to those of "catch as catch can", but prohibit-
ing dangerous holds. The wrestlers were divided
into 7 categories, which was a significant novelty.
Here are the names of the champions in free-
style wrestling of the Third Olympic Games: Curry
(47.6 kg), Mehnert (52.2 kg), Niflot (56.7 kg), Brad-
shaw (61.2 kg), Roehm (65.3 kg), Erickson (71.7 kg)
nad Hansen (+71.7 kg). "Anthropological Days" was
a special competititon in various sports disciplines,
including wrestling, held within the Olympic Games
with the participation of African Americans, Ameri-
can Indians, the Philippinoes, etc. According to
Pierre de Coubertin, the "Anthropological Days"
put the Olympic principle into jeopardy.
Two years later Extraordinary Olympic Games
were organized in Athens. The tournament in
Greco-Roman style had 57 participants from 13
countries. All three champions came from the Scan-
dinavian countries: 75 kg - KARLSEN (Denmark),
85 kg - WECKMAN (Finland) and +85 kg - JEN-
SEN (Denmark).
Out of 74 wrestlers in Greco-Roman style, from
13 countries, only the competitiors from 5 countries
arrived to the finals and no country won more than
one gold medal ; Porro (Italy) in the 66.6 weight cate-
gory, Martensson (Sweden) demonstrated an origi-
 nal wrestling style in the 73 kg category, Weckman
(Finland) 93 kg category displayed his best sports
abilities. In the "Heavy weight" category Weisz
THE GREAT (Hungary) demonstrated admirable strength and
original wrestling. In the finals the Swedish and Fin-
STADI UM nish wrestlers had the members of their respective
teams for opponents. Out of 19 British wrestlers in
SHEPHERDS. BUSH LONDON* Greco-Roman style not a single one managed to ar-
rive even at fourth place. Russia was not very happy
with the silver medals of Orlov and Petrov, in view of
its rather long tradition in this sport. Doctor Krayev-
sy's CIRCLE OF HEAVY WEIGHT AMATEUR
WRESTLERS was founded in 1856 and the champi-
onships had been organized all over Russia as of
1897. The country of the famous champions Pad-

V. Veckman FIN

Enrico Porro ITA

dubny and Zaykin, the critics claimed, could have

secured a much better rating.
These Games are also known for numerous
protests filed against the decisions of the officals.
According to Klaus Ulrich the Swedes had even with
drawn some of their wrestlers from some of the com-
petitions. According to official reports the scandals
surrounding the competition in both wrestling styles
received a great deal of media coverage and
aroused great public interest.

55

R. Weisz HUN
The discussion about the Rules of Free-Style
Wrestling held on the eve of the competitions was a
very hot one. The Americans as favourites with
seven Olympic champions from the previous
Games, proposed the Rules of "catch as catch
can".... The position of the British was not consis-
56
tant, in view of the differences among their regional
wrestling styles fostered in: Cornwall, Cumberland,
Westmorland, Scotland, etc. Thanks to small con-
cessions here and there the American proposal was
finally adopted.
In the free style tournament 5 countries took
part with 59 athletes, 49 of whom were from Great
Britain. There were 5 weight categories with a large
span between the lower and upper weight limit.
Mehnert (USA) 54 kg won the championship for the
second time, together with Dole (60.3) from this
team. De Relwyskow an Bacon (Great Britain) be-
came champions in their respective weight
categories after having defeated their fellow coun-
trymen.
The match between the huge fireman O'Kelly
(Ireland) and Gundersen (Norway) in the "Heavy"
category (over 73 kg) aroused enormous interest.
The Irish wrestler very easily defeated his opponent
and earned his second gold medal. He also earned
his first gold medal in rope pulling.
The supremacy of the British wrestlers was evi-
dent. They took two gold, four silver and three
bronze medals. From all European countries only
Gundersen from Norway, a resident of the USA, and
otherwise a wrestler with an outstanding reputation,
took one medal. The British regional wrestling styles
proved very efficient, but their devotion to tradition
prevented them from taking steps in new directions.
The London Olympic Games will be remem-
bered for having both wrestling styles on the
programme, by the improved pattern of weight
categories, by the fact that they brought to an end
the American monopoly in free-style wrestling, and
by ex-aequo results of several European countries
in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Saarela and Veckman, London, 1908
 3.5. The Scandinavian Wave

The Olympic Games in Stockholm (1912)

epitomized the triumph of the Olympic movement.
After Paris, Saint Louis and London, this time the
Games had not been organized as an event accom­
panying an International, or National Exhibition.
The number of participants was outstanding : a total
of 2,541 athletes from 18 countries. The duration of
the event was shortened, but its organization was
perfect. An impressive number of 444 accredited
journalists covered the event.
This time there was no free-style wrestling on
the Olympic programme, probably because of the
supremacy of the British and American wrestlers in
this style. Instead, competitions in Icelandic GLIMA
wrestling were organized to fill in the vacancy.
Out of 171 wrestlers in Greco-Roman style from
18 countries 37 of them came from Finland and 34
from Sweden. The number of weight categories was
increased from 4 to 5, but still with a great difference
between the lower and upper limit.
The Rules of all Olympic competitions were an­
nounced rather late, when the Games had already
een in full swing and revealed a number of defi-
iencies related to some unanticipated practical
problems and situations. This resulted in numerous
protests being filed, and hot discussions, particular-
international Jury (Wrestling) in Stockholm, 1912. Sitting: F.X. Markones AUT, Longhurst GBR, Kissling GER, Radvany HUN and
Lindsted FIN Standing: Czaplinsky RUS, Preuss GER, Nielsen DEN, Schindler AUT, Csanady HUN and Borg SWE

V*<
Щ
^Ш. 8

- w vM

57
 Georg Hackenschmidt

E. Vare FIN

Match between Asikainen FIN and Klein RUS at the Stockholm Olympic Games
In 1912 which lasted over 11 hours

58
Asikainen and Klein (1912)

Voiyama FIN against Hauptman GER,

in 1912

59
ly with regard to competitions in wrestling, tennis
and fencing. In view of this negative experience, in
his report Baron von Beningen, member of the
I.O.C., suggests some improvements in the organi-
zation and officiating of the Olympic Games.
There were three mats available for wrestling
competitions, all of them in the open. The duration
of the match was limited to 1 hour, except in the fi-
nals (unlimited duration). The envisaged decisions
were: victory by fall, victory on points, elimination af-
ter two defeats and disqualification. The rating was
based on the points scored. E.g. The match be-
tween Ahigren (Sweden) and Bohling (Finland) was
interrupted after six hours of undetermined combat
and the decision was taken to award a silver medal
to each of the wrestlers. It was the very first and only
such decision in the history of the Olympic Games.
Klein (Russia) and Asikainen (Finland) fought a
marathon match. It lasted for 11 hours and 40
minutes upon ending and is recorded in the Guiness
Book of Records. According to another source, the
first match lasted 10 hours and 30 minutes. It started
at 11 o'clock on July 14, 1912, with the first interrup-
tion for a religious mass. At the beginning the breaks
were much longer, 30 minutes, but later on gradually
decreased to 5, 3 and finally 1 minute. The officials
allowed a 30 minute overtime, which again did not
decide on the winner. The number of points was
equal. Upon that the contestants were given the last
chance-two bouts in "par-terre", 3 minutes each.
Finally Klein managed to defeat an 8 kg heavier
world champion. The victory was decided after 21 h.
and 51 min. Evidently, after so many hours of com-
bat Klein was too exhausted to face Johansson
(Sweden). Some Russian authors contest his title of
champion. It is true that with regard to Klein he com-
peted in a much smaller number of matches and
was lucky to score several victories by forfeit. Even
the famous Russian wrestler Al. Severov surren-
dered him the match. This is how the Swedish
60
wrestler managed to compile the points required for
the champion title and to quite legally win the gold
medal.
The Finnish and Swedish wrestlers were abso-
lute masters of this Olympic tournament. Their ath-
letic performance was reminiscent of the exploits
described in Swedish epic poems and in the Finnish
KALEVALA. These achievements were actually the
results of the great effort which the Scandinavian
countries were investing in the development of
wrestling already in the last decade of the XIX-th
century. King Gustave V personally handed over the
prizes to the champions : Koskeio - 60 kg (FIN), Vare
- 67.5 kg (FIN), Johanssoon - 75 kg (SWE) and
Saarela - 82.5 kg (FIN). The champions in wrestling
actually came from a small number of countries:
three gold, two silver and two bronze medals went to
Finland and one gold, two silver and one bronze me-
dal to Sweden. Germany and Russia won only one
silver medal each and Hungary and Denmark one
bronze medal each.
It was a decision of the I.O.C. to also organize a
competition in arts along with the Games in Stock-
holm. The prize in literature was awarded to an
anonymous poet with a French-German pen name,
for his ODE TO SPORTS... Actually, this unknown
poet was no other than Pierre de Coubertin. He was
not a poet, but like Rouget de Lisle, author and com-
poser of la MARSELLAISE, he had many talents. In
poetry, since Pindar in ancient Greece, there was no
better ODE TO SPORTS written than this one by
Pierre de Coubertin.
The X-th Olympic Games showed that the tech-
nical and tactical qualities of amateur wrestlers were
in no way inferior to those of the professionals.
The public was particularly impressed by the throws
over the shoulder, performed by Scandinavian
wrestlers. Wrestlers from other countries took quite
a long time to catch up with the Scandinavian
"wave" in wrestling.
 4. THE BIRTH OF FILA
Research into the history of FILA reveals a
number of controversial issues. E.g. The European
Championship (Vienna, 1898) and the world cham-
pionship (Vienna, 1904) had taken place before
the International Federation of Amateur Wrestling
was founded. In most books on the history of
wrestling these championships are treated as un-
4.1. The Foundation of FILA
The first group in charge of organizing and con-
ducting the wrestling competitions was set up for
the purpose of the Olympic games. It was a provi-
sional organisational group which operated accord-
ing to the Statues and decisions taken by the I.O.C.
and its organizing committees. At the time, our sport
was not fortunate enough to have a strong personal-
ity who would bring together under one umbrella the
already existing national wrestling federations, un-
ions and clubs. All efforts made in this regard in
France, Hungary, Austria, Denmark and Sweden did
not bear fruit. Ad hoc organizing committees of the
European and World championships did not enjoy
an international status and did not elect their mem-
bers according to a democratic procedure. There-
fore the I.O.C. did not recognize them as legal bod-
ies. To make a long story short, the first international
organization for the development of wrestling and
weight lifting was founded in 1905, in Duisburg, on
the initiative of the Deutsche Athleten-Verband
(DAV). A committee set up with the task of establish-
ing order in the organization of world championship,
was composed of the following members : Monticelli
(Milan), the van Els brothers (the Hague), Koetten
(Kein) and Stolz (Munich).
The exact date of the foundation of FILA is still
controversial. By the way, the abbreviation FILA has
been generally accepted because of frequent
changes of the official title. Many authors connect
the foundation of FILA with the Congress held in
Lausanne on June 2-7,1921 (See: The Oxford Com-
panion to Sports & Games, Oxford university Press,
1975; Enciklopedija Fizicke Kulture, Zagreb, 1977;
official and it is only as of recently that a new
classification of championships has shed a dif-
ferent light on this issue. We shall discuss it later
on in the text. At present we shall only deal with the
problems connected with the foundation of FILA
and its evolution as an international wrestling or-
ganization.
le Dictionnaire Ecyclopedique, Moscou, 1963,
Deutscher Ring-Bund Handbuch 1988/89). On the
other hand, the Hungarian historian L. Kun, la Petite
Encyclopédie Sovetique (Moscou, 1982) and some
other sources place the foundation of FILA in the
year 1914 and some even in 1913. Some recent bib-
liographical sources go even further back in history
and place the foundation of FILA in the year 1912,
but fall into their own trap mentioning Einer Raberg
as its first president who actually served his term in
the 1921-1924 period.
Fifty Years of Greco-Roman and Free-Style
Wrestling Within the International Federation of
Amateur Wrestling- 1912-1962, published by FILA,
is the first official book in which we find 1912 as the
year of the foundation of FILA. But, in the book there
is no mention of any official document supporting
this statement. In FILA 1912-1972, a book published
later, an attempt has been made to explain the
historical development of FILA. In 1992, at the offi-
cial celebration of the 80-th Anniversary of FILA, its
President, Mr. Milan Ercegan, submitted a well
documented report.
It is true that the exact date of the foundation of
an organization, or movement, cannot always be de-
termined according to the established rules. The for-
mal approach is based on the existing legal docu-
ments and the recognition on the part of other
organizations (in this case the I.O.C). Actually, the
arguments in favour of the year 1912 are historically
opportune because they take into account the activi-
ties preceding and leading to the foundation of
FILA, whereas the functional and structural ap-
61
proach takes into account the already existing or-
ganization and its activities.
The first International Wrestlers' Union (Interna- . i ÜÍ0YAH
0LYUPIAI BIZ0TTSAG. ^_
State»»»« 4a» 7.Dee«»!>«r
(
1312.

tionaler Ringer Verband) was founded for the pur-

pose of the Stockholm Olympic Games. The Or-
ganizing Committee entrusted the Swedish Athletic
Federation with the task of the convening of a Con- и .',Л*^
gress at which the representatives of all countries
üezugnehmend auf den Beschluss unsere- Coaitas
participating in the Games would adopt the Statues in Stockholm, nehmen wir uns die Freiheit Ihnen die samnt-
and Rules of procedure of a supreme international lichen Erfahrungen und Studien welohe unsere ungarischen

organization. According to Dr. Per Stroembaeck, Teilnehmer in den einzelnen Sportivo igen erfahren hauen

specimens of the invitations to this Congress are Ihnen höflichst mitzuteilen, so Jene Principien darzulegen
welche durch die gemachten Erfahrungen, bei deu Arrange-
stored in the Swedish Wrestling Federation archi- ment der Serliner Olympiad unbedingt vor Augen ли.halten
ves. J. Lindstedt (FIN) and R. Preuss (GER) have al- sein wird.

ready taken steps to obtain these documents for
FILA.
The delegates to the Stockholm Congress were
heads of the Olympic Delegations, members of the
Ich erlaube mir Ihre н .Auf пег к san ice it darauf zu
lenicen, dass die hier niedergelegten Meinungen, die Mei­
nungen der einzelnen führender, ung ari echen Sportíorumen
sind, daher derart betrachtet «erden Können, ali> die of fi-
olelen Wünsche der ganzen ungarieohen Sportwelt , deren

main jury, judges, referees and coaches. Most of Erfüllung ein aufrichtiger Wunsch würe bei den Arrangement
der Deutschen Olympiad.
them did not have valid credentials. After the discus- Die se Pachine i nungen sind laut den einzelnen
sion about the Statues and Rules of Wrestling the Sport zwe igen die Folgenden:
delegates decided to convene their constitutional
congress the following (1913) year in Berlin. In addi-
tion to that, an Interim Committee was set up with Dr.
Я I 0 E Я
Peter Tatits, as President and M. Csanady Mor, as
1.) Fs würe an z.iecknässigst en wenn die Regeln und Ge-
Secretary General, both from Hungary.
wicht seintellung des Jetzt const itulrten lïfTf Р«А?І0ЯАІ*гВ
The setting up of a supreme international RINGER VERBANDES aeeeptiert werden mögen- Sollte dies
wrestling organization was a logical step, a natural nicht möglich sein, so proponieren wir.

outcome of a number of preceding activities and a 2.) Die C-ewichtselnteilung der .Stockhol&er Olympiad-

recognition of current and future requirements in 3 . ) Classification nit Punkte let zu löschen. Sieg
soll mit 2 Punkte, und unentschiedener Kampf mit 1-1 Punk-
wrestling on the global level. te gewertet werden, nach 30 Minuten langen Kampf.
Actually, it is thanks to a number of factors that 4.) Die Jury-Hitglieder sollen immer fremden Nationen

this organisation came into being, namely: Zubehören.

- The I.O.C. and the Organizing Committee fully 5.} Von einer Nation können höchstens 5 - 6 Concurren-

tan starten.
recognized the need to set up an international or-
6.) Die Jury ist alltäglich zueamoen zu fcorufen um die
ganization for that purpose; е ея-увііег. ?r:'.ei'-t nc = h densa!tan Tag su erleùi 6 e"- ÏJU
- The need to secure a good organization of the der Jury soll eine jede teilnehmende Nation mit einem Ver-

Berlin Olympic Games (1916);
- A number of problems and difficulties en-
countered at the previous national and international
competitions;
treter vertreten sein, hingegen von den Deutaoben пъг so­
viel wie die Zahl, der Vertreter der.fremden Nationen ist.
7.) Es ist unbedingt erwünscht, dass die Hingwe tlltämpfe
in einem geschlossenen Räume abgehalten *erden sollen,
daS3 die Concurranten nioht den Unbill en der Witterung

- The fact that numerous national organiza- ausge se tzt sind.

tions had already been founded: in Austria (1889),

In die oben Vorgestellten Heraerkungen erlaubte ich
Sweden (1900), Denmark (1901), Italy (1902), the mir die Meinungen unserer Fachleute den einzelnen S p o r t -
Netherlands (1903), Great Britain (1904), Hungary zweigen mitzuteilen und hoffe, dass der ungarische Sport-

(1905), Norway (1909), etc.; geist auoh etwas beitragen wird, dass d a ^ V I . Olympiade
in Berlin so glänzend, als möglich reussiren soll.
- The example set by other already founded in-
ternational sports organizations, and Hochachtungsvoll erge ben st;
- Emergence of a new generation of sports , ez; Julius v ou iñ'azsa

leaders with a supranational mentality in their ap- Re Íсhstaysabgeordne ter,

proach to sports. Präsident des ungari sehen Olympi sehen Comité.

A letter by M. Julius von Muzsa (Hungary),

President of the I.O.C. to Pierre de Coubertin reveals
some very precious information. Actually, the Presi-

62
dent of the I.O.C. proposes that the wrestlers adopt
the rules and weight categories of the then recently
founded Internationaler Ringer Verband (The Inter-
national Wrestlers' Union). Thus from this letter we
learn about the recent setting up of an International
Wrestlers' Union with its own rules and also some
details about the conflicts at the Stockholm Con-
gress. The Hungarians proposed to the Congress to
limit the duration of the match to 30 minutes, with 2
points scored for victory, or divison of points, 1 to
each wrestler in case of ex-aequo. In view of improv-
ing the organization of competitions they also pro-
posed the restriction to 5-6 participants from each
country, officiated by neutral judge-referees and
holding of matches in the halls.
The Stockholm Congress proposed the holding
of the First Constitutional Congress in 1913, in Ber-
lin. This is the reason why some authors mention
this year as the date of the foundation of FILA. The
title the First Congress was only formal, because
the Wrestlers Union was actually founded in Stock-
holm. Was it really the First Congress? The par-
ticipants did not feel that way, but nevertheless, his-
tory should pay them tribute for their achievements
in this field.
We must always bear in mind Aristotle's words:
"The beginning is more than half of the endeavour."
The Congress in Berlin took place from the 5-th
to the 9-th of June, 1913, with the participation of
delegates from nine countries: Germany, Finland,
Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Hungary, Austria, Bohe-
mia and Great Britain.
The Internationaler Amateur Verband für
Schwerathletik was founded with the task of de-
veloping and promoting wrestling (Greco-Roman),
boxing, weight lifting, rope pulling and putting over
10 kg of weight. German was adopted as the official
language. The existing rules and weight categories
remained unchanged, in spite of severe criticism.
Sweden proposed a 60 minutes duration of the
match, whereas Germany proposed the duration of
only 20 minutes, it was, finally, decided to have two
bouts of 20 minutes each with 1 minute break. The
Berlin Congress had also decided on the hosts of
the forthcoming championships in 1914: St. Peters-
burg (World Championship) and Vienna (European
Championship). An Organizing Committee was set
up consisting of: President- Dr. P. Tatits (Hungary);
Vice President - R. Preuss (Germany) an M. Csaná-
dy (Hungary); Secretaries: James Borg (Sweden)
and F. Koller (Austria); members: J. Lindstedt (Fin-
land), A.R. Nielsen (Denmark), P. Longhurst (Great
Britain), R. Schwindler (Bohemia) and L. Zsaplinsky
(Russia).
This means that the organization had been set
up and there was no reason whatsoever to look for
the origins of FILA in the following year. The two con-
gresses were actually an integral part of a single en-
tity in form and content. The European Champion-
ships held in 1913 and 1914, according to the
uniform rules and weight categories, are actually the
outcome of all preceding activities.
A complex evolution of the Federation after
1913 only reflects the reality of the times. Many wres-
tlers were also active in other disciplines, such as:
weight lifting, rope pulling, weight putting, etc. Ge-
org Hackenschmidt, the first European champion in
wrestling (1898) was also champion in weight lifting.
This practice continued up to the thirties, when
Charles Rigoulot won the championships in both
these sports.
In 1914 the Federation underwent serious or-
ganizational changes. Amateurism was a very hot
topic and seperatism became an apparent trend.
On top of all these problems a big fire jeopardized
the already ongoing big projects of the Federation.
63
 4.2. Decline and Revial
In Ancient Greece, sacred truce (ekachiria) was
observed during the Olympic Games, and all hostili-
ties between the states were suspended. In modern
times, to the contrary, it was the Olympic Games
that were suspended by war. Nevertheless, the sus-
pended Games have not been deleted from the
chronological calendar, where they can be found
together with the names of their host cities to be e.g.
No. 6. - Berlin (1916), No. 12. - Helsinki (1940), and
No. 13. - London (1944). In spite of suspension, the
two world wars have not been able to extinguish the
Games, nor the Olympic spirit.
m
S ^ S S AUGUST -SEPTEMBER \QQ,0 "
After the calamity of the First World War the
Olympic Games were already revived in 1920, in An-
vers, with many novelties accompaying the event. It
is in Anvers that the white Olympic flag was flown for
the first time, with its five Olympic circles symboliz-
ing all five continents united in the Olympic spirit
and through the national colors of all peoples. Also,
64
it was for the first time that the slogan : Citius, altius,
fortius (quicker, higher, stronger) was launched. It
was also the first time that the countries defeated in
the war did not take part in the Olympic Games.
All in all, the Anvers Games symbolized a new
victory of Pierre de Coubertin and his achievements,
the master brain of the Olympic Charter, oath, flag and
symbols, another victory of a man of great merit for the
revival of the Olympic Games and the development of
the Olympic spirit into one of the most powerful social
and peace movements in modern history. It is also at
the Anvers Games that Pierre Coubertin celebrated
the 20-th Anniversary of the I.O.C.
Both wrestling styles were represented in the
Anvers Games, with 105 competitors in Greco-
Roman style, from 14 countries, and 61 competitors
in free-style, from 13 countries. With regard to the
Stockholm Olympic Games the participation of
Eino Leino FIN
wrestlers was much smaller, due to the absence of
athletes from the countries defeated in the First
World War.
Both wrestling styles were finally established
on the Olympic programme. Also, it was for the first
time in Anvers that the wrestlers in both styles com-
peted according to the same Rules and were divid-
ed into the same weight categories, according to the
decisions taken by the Berlin Congress (1913).
The Scandinavian wrestlers were absolutely
outstanding in all respects and their achievements
had a sweeping effect. Actually, they took 15 me-
dals. Some of the Olympic heroes were winners of
several medals, e.g. the Finnish athlete Paavo Nur-
mi, who took 3 gold and 1 silver medal. Here are the
names of the champions in their respective
categories: Firman (FIN) eho defeated all his oppo-
4.3. Renewal of FILA
At the Anvers Olympic Games the I.O.C. recom-
mended the foundation of independent federations
for each sports discipline. The International Federa-
tion of Free-Style Wrestling was founded on the in-
itiative of the USA. Being completely passive, its ex-
istence only serves as a proof of the unequal status
of the wrestling styles.
The Olympic Congress of the I.O.C. held in
Lausanne, from 2 to 7 June, 1921, devoted a special
session to the foundation of the International
Amateur Wrestling Federation (IAWF). The session
was chaired by J.S. Egstroem (Sweden), later elect-
ed President of the I.O.C, who had worked very hard
J. Sigfrid Egström, President of the I.C.O. (1946-1952)
nents "by fall"; Vare (FIN), Olympic champion for
the second time; Westergren (SWE); R. Johansson
(SWE) Olympic champion for the second time, and
Lindfors (FIN). Two Danish and one Finnish wrestler
were also among the medal winners. The Belgians,
hosts of the Games, had to content themselves with
4-th place.
The Anvers Games feature an unexpected turn
in free-style wrestling. The Swedish wrestlers put an
end to the monopoly of the British and Americans in
this style. Here are the names of the champions in
free style wrestling: Ackerly (USA), Antillea (FIN),
Leino (FIN), Larsson (SWE), and Roth (SUI). The
Swiss Courant won a silver medal in their traditional
wrestler SCHWINGEN. The British took only two
bronze medals, which was a far cry from their former
glory.
Einar Râberg, President of FILA (1921-1924)
on the implementation of this idea. The Congress
ratified the Statues of 19 Federations, including that
of the newly founded IAWF
Mr. Einer Raberg, Swedish army officer and
former wrestler, was elected President of the IAWF
English was adopted as the official language.
The new Federation was founded for the pur-
pose of promoting both wrestling styles on the basis
of the amended rules. It organized two world champ-
ionships in Greco-Roman wrestling in Helsinki
(1921) and Stockholm (1922), with absolute
supremacy of the Scandinavian wrestlers, and two
European championships in Offenbach (1921) and
65
 A. Brüll, President of FILA (1924-1929)
Neunkirchen (1924), with the most numerous partic-
ipation of German wrestlers.
The IAWF was the successor of the previous in-
ternational federations, but with clearly defined tasks
and authority. Its main problem was to secure uniform
conditions at all competitions, the appropriate
calender of the events in both styles, weight
categories, rules, protocol, etc. But, the new uniform
standards often collided with deeply rooted traditional
practices and national and individual interests. The
66
V. Smeds, President of FILA (1929-1950)
most imcompatible views were coming from the
representatives of Sweden, Germany and Hungary.
It may be concluded that, thanks to its deep
historical roots and vitality, wrestling never ceased
to develop, even in the absence of its relevant inter-
national bodies. However, the foundation of the
IAWF has secured a legal status to wrestling vis-a-
vis the I.O.C., the N.O.Cs, the national wrestling fed-
erations and global public opinion. The period of in-
fancy was over.
 5. OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL EUROPEAN
AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lack of relevant documentation and often bi-
ased data available from national sources make the
research into this topic rather difficult. Therefore,
when evaluating our recent history we often rely on
personal judgement based on individual prefer-
ences and specific interests, the case in point being
the differences in the numeration of the World and
European championships, and their division into the
official and unofficial ones.
All former European and World championships
are historical facts. They have been organized by
the Organizing Committees set up for the purpose,
they had their own rules, supporters and their
ceremonial protocol. True, at the beginning the par-
ticipation of the athletes was rather small, which can
be explained by the developing state of wrestling at
that time, absence of consolidated national organi-
zations, poor communications and lack of funds. In
spite of all that, by 1925, 18 European champion-
ships had taken place in 9 cities of 6 European coun-
tries, and 17 World championships in 9 cities of 4
countries.
As already emphasized, the development of
wrestling had preceded the setting up of its interna-
tional bodies. Actually, the athletes and their nation-
al organizations were eager to publicly demonstrate
their athletic abilities outside the Olympic Games
and professional championships. Although or-
ganized in Greco-Roman style, only the World and
European championships have greatly contributed
to the improvement of the training methods and pro-
motion of publicity for wrestling and its development.
Actually, they preceded the foundation of FILA. In the
absence of a supreme international body the legality
of these championships was grounded on the Statues
of their Organizing Committees. Therefore, it does not
stand to reason that these championships should be
treated as unofficial. Following that logic all European
championships organized before the foundation the
E.C.A.W. (CELA) should be listed as unofficial. It is,
therefore, difficult to understand why the world cham-
pionships which had taken place before the founda-
tion of the Internationaler Ringer Verband are not list-
ed as official.
Following the same logic, it does not stand to
reason to list as unofficial the championships which
included the participation of professional wrestlers.
Actually, only Georg Hackenschmidt, the first cham-
pion of Europe (1898) had become a professional
wrestler. It is true that some amateur wrestlers had
been remunerated for competing in the matches
preceding the professional wrestling programme,
but, why not? Sincerely speaking, the value of the
prizes nowadays awarded to athletes by far exceed
the remuneration to professional wrestlers at that
time.
The système of competition for amateurs was
borrowed from the professionals, which remains the
major problem. This system provided for two Euro-
pean championships annually. In 1907 they were or-
ganized in Copenhagen and Vienna, and 1912 in
Budapest and Vienna. The same system was ap-
plied for the World championships organized in Ber-
lin and Duisburg, in 1905, and even five in 1907, in:
Helsinki, Stuttgart, Berlin, Dresden and Vienna. To-
day, it is not only impossible, but also superflous, to
try to determine which of these championships
should be listed as official.
Another problem: the World championship
held in Helsinki, in 1911. is listed as official, and the
European Championships held in Offenbach and
Neunkirchen, organized by the IAWF, are not, in
spite of a large participation of wrestlers, but only
from Germany. At the Saint Louis Olympic Games,
only the American athletes took part in wrestling
contests and in this case, noone challenges their
championship titles and medals.
The first European Championship in Greco-
Roman style took place in Vienna, in 1898. The
weight categories were introduced after 1905. Here
are the names of the European champions at that
time: Georg Hackenscmidt (Russia), 1898; Hans-
Henrich Egeberg (Germany), 1902; Gustav
Fristensky (Bohemia), 1903; J. Ploeger (the Nether-
lands), 1904; and Franz Blonner (Bohemia), 1905.
Later on, the number of weight categories had been
increased, except at the championship in Vienna, in
1907. The number of participating countries was in-
67
creasing. Thus, in 1910, in Budapest, 57 wrestlers
came from Austria, Bohemia, Finland, Denmark,
Germany, Great Britain, Hungary and Sweden.
Most wrestlers came from Central European and
Scandinavian countries. As of 1913 the European
championships have adopted the rules and weight
categories of the Olympic wrestling tournaments.
Here are the names of European champions from
that period: H.H. Egeberg (Denmark), H. Christen-
sen (Denmark), T. Fischer (Hungary), B. Varga (Hun-
gary), G. Mlamstroem (Sweden), G. Gerstacker
(Germany), etc. German wrestlers took the greatest
number of medals-64, followed by the Hungarians
who took 34 medals, the Danish-21, the Austrians-
14, etc.
The Scandinavian wrestlers took all of the gold
medals: Mertensson and Johansson from Sweden
and Vare from Finland.
The first World championship in Greco-Roman
style, in two weight categories, was organized in
Vienna, in 1904. Here are the names of its champi-
ons: Ahlqvist (Denmark) and Arnold (Austria). The
Olympic weight categories were observed at the
championship in Helsinki (1911), in Vienna (1920)
and in Helsinki again (1921). Under the new weight
category system some of the former champions
have managed to demonstrate their top mastership
in wrestling by winning Olympic medals: Verner
Weckman, Eemeli Väre, Oskari Edvard Vesterlund
and Carl Westergren.
It is difficult to compile a reliable and objective
Einar Râberg, wrestler
list of championships. On the other hand, there is no
ethical, or legal justification for challenging the titles
and medals won at these European championships. - List and number only the championships
However, in case we decide to establish a formal which have taken place after the foundation of the
order and numbering of the championships we first international wrestling federation in 1912.
should adopt one of the following three approaches: The World and European championships
- Recognize as a historical fact all competitions represent our historical asset, unique with regard to
in question, without numbering them; any other sport. The past is, undoubtedly, always a
- Number all competitions, except those part of the present. But, when recognizing our past
repeated in the course of the same year, or we also have to acknowledge its dark sides.

68
 6. GREAT STRIDES FORWARD
Stabilization and spectacular advancement are
the main features of wrestling in the period between
the two wars, with the new divisions, numerous polit-
ical crises and the economic crisis of 1929-1932.
Throughout this period wrestling was progressing to
become one of the most popular sports, thanks to
the Olympic games and the European Champion-
ships organized under the auspices of IAWF in Mi-
lan, from 1925 and onwards. In 1929 Paris hosted
the first European championship in free style
wrestling. Eurpoean championships have given a
strong impetus to the development of wrestling on
the global level. Due to a combination of circum-
stances other continents were not in a position to or-
ganize official competitions. Actually, the Pan-Ame-

Oskar Friman FIN

rican and Mediterranean Games were for the first

time organized only in 1951, the Asian champion-
ship in 1966 and the African in 1969.
The dark side of the period under review is the
absence of World championships, evidently be-
cause of the high level of Greco-Roman wrestling in
Europe, not yet attained by the rest of the world,
which would turn these championships into a repli-
ca of the European events.
At the Olympic Games in Paris (1924) both
styles were represented with the participation of 146
wrestlers from 22 countries in Greco-Roman and
100 wrestlers from 13 countries in free-style wrest-
ling. Once again, the German athletes were not al-
lowed to take part. In Greco-Roman style the Scan-
dinavians were once again, invincible.
Here are the names of the Olympic champions
of the Paris Games: E. Pütsep (Estonia), K. Antila
(Finland), O. Friman (Finland), E. Vesterlund (Fin-
land), С Westergren (Sweden) and H. Deglane
(France).

69
 Friman's holds

Apart from Finland and Sweden, very few other

countries managed to win medals; Estonia took two,
and France and Hungary one each. The Swede Carl
Westergren won the champion title for the second
time and in 1932 he became the first triple Olympic
champion in wrestling of the modern Olympic
Games. Oscar Friman is a double Olympic champi-
on but he has an outstanding place in the history of
wrestling thanks to his unique wrestling technique
called "Friman's series". His grateful compatriots
have engraved on his tomb one of his favourite
holds. Actually, Friman was 11 times national cham-
pion of Finland.
Henri Deglane, French fireman, was the light-
est wrestler in the "heavy" category, at the age of
22. According to French sources, in spite of the ad-
vantage over his opponent, Andersson (Sweden) he
lost the match. The French protest was "vehement"
and the decision was taken to repeat the match. In
two minutes Deglane defeated his opponent "by
fall". Later on he became a professional wrestler
and world champion in catch, in 1931.
At the Anvers Olympic Games all former cham-
pions in free-style wrestling lost their titles. The
American counterattack was crowned with success.
They took a total of 6 medals and had 4 champions:
R. Reed, R. Vis, J. Spellman and H. Steele. J. Pih-
lajamaeki was the only Finnish champion and other
Finnish wrestlers took 5 more medals. H. Gehri and
Fr. Hangmann (Switzerland) once again demon-
strated their strength and the potential of their tradi-
tional wresting.
The Olympic tournament in Greco-Roman
wrestling (1928) in Amsterdam marks a turning point

70
 Lajos Keresztes HUN

Ivar Johansson SWE

Kustaa Pihlajmãki FIN

in a different direction. Among 107 competitors from

23 countries, Finland took only one medal, thanks to
V. Kokkinen. Other medals were divided among 5
countries: K. Leucht (Germany), V. Vali (Estonia),
L. Keresztes (Hungary), I. Mustafa (Egypt) and R.
Svensson (Sweden). The greatest surprise of the
Games was the medal of Ibrahim Mustafa, who thus
became the first Olympic champion from Africa.
In free-style, 62 athletes from 15 countries took
part in the competitions. The Americans lost their
leading position and took only one gold, thanks to A.
Morrison. Finland was better with its gold medals
won by K. Mäkinen and A. Haavisto. E. Kyburz was
brilliant, but the was the last Swiss to take the Olym-
pic gold. O. Kapp was the first Estonian champion in
free-style wrestling. Thanks to their two gold medals
taken by T. Sjöstedt and J. Richthoff, Sweden stabi-
lized its position in the "heavy" category for the
years to come. The medals taken by Belgian, Cana-
dian, British and French wrestlers were not only a
token of their respective national success, but also a
proof of successful overall development of free-style
wrestling.

71
 In 1932, the second Olympic Games organized
outside Europe occurred. The venue of the wrestl­
ing competitions was the "Olympic Hall" in Los An­
geles, where 41 wrestlers from 13 counries took part
in Greco-Roman style and 49 wrestlers from 15
countries in free-style wrestling. The participation
was rather small, due to the economic crisis and the
geographical distance, and particularly in view of
the decision taken in Amsterdam (1928) to admit to
the Games only one wrestler per country, per weight
category.
In Greco-Roman style the supremacy of the
Scandinavians remained unchallenged: E. Malm-
berg, С Westergren and I. Johansson took the gold.
I. Johansson was the first wrestler to win the champ­
ionships in both styles and R. Svensson became
double Olympic champion.
By demonstrating a new, attractive style of
wrestling in swift pace the Italians won the sympathy

72
 Hermanni Pihlajmäki FIN

of the public and took 4 medals: G. Gozzi-gold, M.

Nizzola-silver and E. Gallegatl and M. Gruppioni a
bronze each. As a team they earned the 4-th place
on the unofficial rating list, but in spite of that, some
journalists called these Olympic Games "Italian".
German wrestlers were outstanding. J. Brendel
took the gold and thus became Olympic champion.
Vöino Kokkinen FIN

IF

73
The Germans took two more silver medals. One of
the winners, J. Foldeak later won the title of Europe-
an champion and became famous as coach for the
German national team and founder of a company for
the production of wrestling mats.
Once again the Americans were best in free-
style wrestling with three champions: R. Pearce,
Van Bebber and P. Mehringer. I. Johansson and J.
Richtoff took two gold medals for Sweden, the latter
for the second time. France took its first gold in free-
style wrestling thanks to P. Pacome. H. Pihlajamäki
was the only Finnish champion. The progress of Eu-
ropean wrestlers in free-style wrestling was evident.
The Olympic Games in Berlin (1936) attracted
an outstanding number of competitors in wrestling:
100 in free-style, from 20 countries and 110 in Greco-
Roman style, from 23 countries. Defending the posi-
tion of the strongest nation in Greco-Roman
wrestling Sweden took three gold medals thanks to :
R. Svedberg, I. Johansson (his third Olympic
champion title) and A. Cadier. The gold medal taken
by the Turkish wrestler Y. Erkan announced the

Werner Seelenbinder GER

bright prospects in wrestling for that country. Other

gold medal winners in Berlin were: M. Lörincz (Hun-
gary), L. Koskela (Finland) and Palusalu (Estonia).
Germany took 4 medals, contrary to the more
ambitions expectations of the organizers. They were
so eager to achieve success that they even ac-
claimed the performance of Werner Seelenbinder,
in spite of his socialist political views. He only
earned the 4-th place in his category.
In free-style wrestling for the first time the wres-
tlers from 6 countries shared the medals. The Hun-
garians were the surprise of the Games, with their
forfeit matches and two gold medals won by О Zom-
bori and K. Kárpáti. The Finnish wrestlers, K. Pih-
lajamäki, double Olympic champion and national
champion over twenty times, demonstrated top
mastership. F Lewis (USA), E. Poilve (France) and
K. Fridell (Sweden) were also the champions of the
Berlin Olympic Games.

74
 Károly Kárpáti HUN

Annual European championships encouraged

the development and promotion of wrestling on the
global level. The scope of wrestling was constantly
expanding and the number of countries developing
this sport increasing. This resulted in the interest of
new towns to host wrestling events. Thus, the
Atik Arikan TUR
championship in Greco-Roman wrestling was or-
ganized in 1925 in Milan, in 1926 in Riga, in 1927 in Kurt Hornfischer GER
Budapest, in 1929 in Dortmund, in 1930 in Stock-
holm, in 1931 in Prague, in 1933 in Helsinki, in 1934
in Rome, in 1935 in Copenhagen, in 1937 in Paris, in
1938 in Tallin and in 1939 in Oslo. The European
championship in Paris had the highest number of
participants: 92 from 19 countries.

Joh. Richthoff SWE

75
Rudolf Svedberg SWE

Denis Perret SUI

J. Földeak GER in action

76
 European championships in free-style wrestl-
ing were less numerous, held in Paris in 1929, in
Brussels, in 1930, in Budapest in 1931, in Paris again
in 1933, in Stockholm in 1934, in Brussels again in
1935 and in Munich in 1937. The championship in
Brussels, in 1935, had the highest participation: 60
wrestlers from 14 countries.
At first the European championships had one
weight category less with regard to the Olympic
Games. It is only in 1930 that the pattern of the
Olympic weight categories in free-style wrestling ob-
served at the Olympic Games in Paris, in 1924, was
adopted. This pattern was actually observed in both
styles for the first time at the Olympic Games in
1932.
Already in 1926, the IAWF limited the participa-
tion to one wrestler per weight category, per country.
The European Championships were not organized
in the Olympic years. The Berlin Congress (held
from 25 to 30 May, 1930) recommended to interna-
tional sports organizations to refrain from organizing
World championships during the Olympic years and
recognize the Olympic champion titles. In wrestling
the Olympic titles have never been recognized. On
the other hand, the continental championships were
not organized in the years of the Olympic Games.
The classification at the Olympic Games and
the championships is the most reliable indicator of
the balance of forces in wrestling, According to un-
official classification per nations at the Olympic
Games, the Swedes were three times first in Greco-
Roman wrestling in : 1908, 1932 and 1934, and once
in free-style wrestling, in 1936. Finland was three
times first in Greco-Roman wrestling in: 1912, 1920
and 1924, and twice in free-style, in: 1920 and 1928.
Germany was first in Greco-Roman wrestling in
1928. In free-style wrestling the USA were first in:
1904, 1924 and 1932. Great Britain was first in free-
style wrestling in 1908.
In spite of an outstanding development of free-
style wrestling, particularly in Europe, classifica-
tions at continental championships differed from the
rating at the Olympic Games. Sweden was six times
European champion: in 1929, 1930, 1934, 1937,
1938 and 1939; Finland twice: in 1931 and 1933;
Germany twice: in 1926 and 1935 and Hungary in
1927. Swedish supremacy was unchallenged, par-
ticularly in the championships held at the end of the
period under review.
The picture of free-style wrestling was much
more diversified. Hungary was champion in 1931
and 1935; Sweden in 1929 and 1934. From the
historical point of view the victories of Belgium, in
1930, Switzerland in 1933 and Germany in 1937 are
particularly noteworthy.
Some Olympic champions have also attained
their mastery on the European mat and have become
the brightest stars of XX-th century wrestling; Ivar Jo-
hansson (Sweden) three times Olympic champion
and ten times European champion; Custaa Pihlaja-
mäki (Finland) and Carl Westergren and Johan
Richthoff (both Swedes) were all three double Olym-
pic champions and ten, five and four times respective-
ly European champions. Moreover, Westergren won
the World champion title in 1922. These giants of
physical and spiritual strength have also invented new
technical and tactical solutions and launched a new
aesthetic approach to modern wrestling, worthy to be
followed by all wrestlers of the world.
Koroly Kárpáti, Olympic champion from Hun-
gary and six times European champion, and his
compatriot Ödön Zombary, twice European champ-
ion, have introduced a highly technical and
balanced approach to wrestling, thus initiating a
new trend in its development. Jacob Brendel (Ger-
many), twice European champion, was a model of
rational wrestling and the Italian Giovani Gozi, also
twice European champion, was famous for his risky,
emotional and inspired wrestling.
The ups and downs in the work of the IAWF af-
fected the development of wrestling. After the resig-
nation of President Einer Raberg, in 1924, in Paris,
he was replaced by Alfred Brüll from Hungary. The
Amsterdam Congress set up a Commission with the
task of defining the philosophy of wrestling and
drafting the rules of competition, consisting of the
following members: Miklós Csillag, Einer Raberg
and Victor Smeds. But, since they were some what
distanced from the project, both geographically and
in their respective approaches to the issues in-
volved, it took eight years before its approval by the
Berlin Congress in 1936. The Rules were published
the following year.
At that time the Hungarians exercised a very
strong influence on the work of the IAWF through Mr.
M. Victor, elected President at the Stockholm Con-
gress in 1930, who remained in office for the follow-
ing twenty years. As far as the Rules are concerned,
their adoption was preceded by long and hot discus-
sions. Their adoption was not an easy task, particu-
larly because of the great number of already adopt-
ed amendments. At first, the match went on until
victory by fall. Later on, in case of tied score the
wrestlers were allowed to go into overtime. In this
period the first situation of danger and the number
of executed holds counted. In some cases the light-
er wrestler was proclaimed winner. Breaks were al-
lowed every 30 minutes, during which specially as-
signed "water boys" used to pour pails of water on
the contestants to freshen them up.
77
 At first wrestling matches were held on bare
surface and later on in the boxing ring, or catch,
originally on rostrums made of leaves and wood
chips, and eventually on canvas mats and nowa-
days on mats made of synthetic fabric.
The New Rules provided solutions to a great
deal of problems which had previously been cause
for numerous disagreements. They also helped im-
prove the organization of the competitions ; they de-
termined the dress of the judge referees and com-
petitors and the whole procedure from the outset to
the end of combat. The Rules also established
some criteria-although not very clear ones-for pas-
sivity, identification of illegal holds, warnings and
rating of technical holds.
The duration of the match was reduced to 20
minutes. After ten minutes the match was to be inter-
ruped at the signal of the judge and referee, to de-
cide which of the two wrestlers had been more ac-
tive. It was the right of the more active wrestler to
decide whether he wanted to continue the match in
standing position or "par-terre", according to the
formula: 2x3 minutes "par-terre" and 4 minutes in
standing position. In case of a tied score the compe-
titors were allowed to go into overtime "par-terre". In
case of an ex-aequo result the officials awarded vic-
tory to the wrestler whose actions on the mat had
produced a better effect.
For the first time the Rules provided for the
negative points affecting classification. In case of
victory by fall the winner was awarded 0 points; in
case of victory on points -1 negative point ; in case of
78
defeat by fall or on negative points -3 negative
points to the defeated wrestler. The wrestler with 5
negative points was eliminated from further compe-
tition. This decision particularly encouraged combat
for victory by fall.
The Rules also introduced significant changes in
officiating. In 1912 the officiating team consisted of
three members. The referee was dressed in white
sports trousers and the members of the jury in
frock coats. Very often the members of the jury were
selected quite by chance, which means that they were
not competent and very often partial. Therefore, in
1921 a compulsory course for the officials was in-
troduced in view of enhancing their level of compe-
tence, by demonstrating for them various holds, in-
cluding the illegal ones, by discussing officiating
problems in complex situations, etc. Since the course
was compulsory, all the judge-referees who did not at-
tend them were not admitted to officiate.
After the Berlin Congress (1936) the IAWF could
be satisfied with its rational and uniform Rules, its
concept of the future development of wrestling and
its concept of a more efficient way of conducting its
activities. Everybody was optimistic with regards to
the expected results. But, after a successful Europe-
an championship in Oslo and on the eve of the Hel-
sinki Olympic Games, the annexation (Anschluss) of
Austria occured, followed by the annexation of the
Sudeten region, the Italian occupation of Albania,
etc. Like in Chostakovitch's Leningrad Symphony,
the sounds of war were approaching and becoming
increasingly loud...
 7. DIVERSITY OF STYLES
Mars, the god of war, seriously jeopardized the
Olympic idea, but the positive spirit of humanity fi­
nally prevailed, once again. In the Second World
War, 80% of the total population was directly, or in­
directly involved, with over 50 million casualties. Ac­
cording to the German philosopher Nieztsche, war
and courage usually bring about much loftier
achievements than love for your neighbours. Speak­
ing of the Second World War it is difficult to identify
any lofty achievement at all, but it goes without say­
ing, that along with destruction all war brings about
significant changes. After the Second World War
new states emerged, the anti-facist coalition was
dissolved, the world map reshaped, the United Na­
tions Organization was founded, and new political,
military and economic blocks came into being.
People, tired of war and disgusted with its ca­
lamities, adhered with a passion to the religion of
Olympism and sports...
Like Phoenix, wrestling re-emerged from the
ashes. Already in 1946, less than a year after the
end of the war, Victor Smeds, President of the IAWF
convened the Congress in Stockholm, to elect new
leadership: Roger Coulon, to the office of Secretary
General, Treasurer and Technical Director, Vehli
Emre (Turkey), Per Tamm (Sweden) and Streit Jr. 29JULY 1948 I4AUGUST
JL О N D О N
(USA) to the post of Vice-Presidents, and Members
of the Bureau: Ratib (Egypt), Himberg (Finland),
Perrel (the Netherlands), Cortenbosch (Belgium),
Mackenzie (Great Britain) and Salvatorelli (Italy).
The Congress also raised the issue of the Rules of
Procedure and decided to renew the European participation of 4,689 athletes from 59 countries,
championships. there was no single record broken.
At the London Olympic Games (1948) wrestling In wrestling, the number of competitors was
competitions took place in new weight categories. slightly higher than to that in 1936: 112 wrestlers
The Congress discussed the Rules, and Roger from 19 countries in Greco-Roman and 117 wrestlers
Coulon together with Perrel and Cortenbosch were from 24 countries in free-style wrestling. In Greco-
entrusted with the task of drafting new Rules of Roman wrestling the Swedes took five gold medals :
Procedure. Before the London Games two Europe­ K. Pettersen, G. Freij, G. Andersson, A. Grönberg
an championships had taken place: in free-style and K.E. Nilsson. Gustav Freij's wrestling was nota-
wrestling in Stockholm, in 1946 and in Greco- bly impressive. The two gold medals won by A.
Roman style in Prague, in 1947. A new balance of Kirecci and M. Oktav was an outstanding achieve-
forces was coming into view. The Turks were first in ment of Turkish wrestling. All other countries tradi-
free-style, and the Soviets second, immediately tionally strong in wrestling had a much poorer rat-
behind the Swedes, in Greco-Roman wrestling. ing. Only Pietro Lombardi did not disappoint and
The London Olympic Games made it clear that saved the reputation of Italian wrestlers in the lighter
sports still needed time to recover. In spite of the weight category.

79
 Pietro Lombardi ITA

80
 Gyula Bóbis HUN
It was on the Olympic mat that the Turks made
their first break-through in free-style wrestling. Sin-
cerely speaking, Turkish wrestlers and Egyptian
weight-lifters were the biggest surprise of the Lon-
don Games.
No champion of the Berlin Games managed to
take a medal in London. Only Y. Dogy, former
European champion, took the gold, but by demon-
strating a completely different wrestling style. Out of
16 champions 11 came from the countries which
were not involved in the Second World War (Sweden
and Turkey). New participants in the Games were
weak. Pakistan was not admitted because their
wrestlers were late for weigh- in, which developed
into a scandal of the Games.
The IAWF was very active. The Stockholm Con-
gress (1950) adopted the new rules, and Roger
Coulon organized in Paris a course in officiating with
Mihaly Matura as the main instructor.
The world was quickly recovering from depres-
sion and fear. It was in the spirit of optimism and
peace that the Helsinki Games were held in 1954.
These Games will be remembered by 49 Olympic
and 15 new world records. The upward trend in
wrestling was evident. Energy of the newly emerg-
ing forces was prevailing over conservative forces
and former stars. At the very outset, four Soviet
wrestlers took the gold by demonstrating four differ-
ent wrestling styles: B. Gurevitch by performing
different throws in standing position, S. Safin by in-
fallible overthrows, J. Punkin by overthrows per-
formed turning his back and Johannes Kotkas, Eu-
ropean champion in 1938 and 1939 and Champion
of the USSR in wrestling and putting, demonstrated
an outstanding pre-war technique with arm and
head locks... The Hungarian M. Szilvasi was brilliant
in performing sit-backs and drop-backs and his
compatriot I. Hodos was outstanding in balanced
wrestling. Watching their performance the specta-
tors were overwhelmed by emotion and admiration.
Axel Grönberg (Sweden) took the Olympic gold for
the second time, which he added to his titles of Eu-
ropean champion in 1947 and World champion, in
1950. K. Grödahl was the only champion from the
host country-Finland.
81
 Miklós Szilvási HUN

A. Masur, A. Mekokishvili and J. Kotkas

Johanes Kotkas

82
 The clash between the old and new school of
wrestling has enriched our sport by introducing
novel features and promoting a more dramatic
approach.
In free-style wrestling the main battle was
waged between and among the teams fostering new
styles. The victories of O. Anderberg and V. Palm
were actually the last exploits of the Scandinavian
"wave" in wrestling. Turkish style occasionally
resembled of their traditional wrestling. Kemal Ata-
türk, the founding father of modern Turkey, was also
a supporter of wrestling. He said: "Free-style
wrestling is my favourie sport... It requires strength
and intelligence. The road to lofty achievements is
open to those endowed with both these qualities."
H. Gemici and B. Sit were acclaimed as national
heroes. W. Smith (USA) successfully demonstrated
the type of wrestling practiced in his country. A.
Mekokishvilli and D. Tsimakuridze demonstrated the
overthrows with locks never seen before, borrowed
from their tradional wrestling tchidaoba. There was
a hint of a thousand year old tradition behind the title
of Shohachi Ishi, first Japanese champion in
wrestling. The wrestling of Iranian comptetitiors was
marked by their traditional form kochti. They had to
settle for two silver and three bronze medals.
Roger Coulon (1950-1971)
It is for the first time in its history that so many
wrestling techniques inspired by traditional
wrestling from different periods and of different ori-
gin have been demonstrated on the mat. Traditional Beside the famous A. Ehglas and G. Kartozia, out-
forms performed in rationally modified versions ac- standing in their universal approachs to wrestling,
tually enriched wrestling with a wide range of new new names emerged, such as: A. Terian, G. Gamar-
technical holds, new ideas, new energy and new nik and V. Manner, outstanding in their brilliant tech-
spirit. niques based on a large variety of holds. Attractive
The IAWF has played an increasingly important and risky wrestling demonstrated by I. Fabra (Italy)
role in the promotion of wrestling. The Helsinki Con- and Polyak's (Hungary) resembling Nelson's "un-
gress in 1952 elected Roger Coulon, a very ener- breakable chains" has been highly appreciated as
getic French officer, to the post of President and in true artistic wrestling. In the "heavy" category the
1954 the organization adopted the French abbrevia- giants: J. Kotkas, B. Antosson, A. Masur and G. Bo-
tion FILA (Fédération International de Lutte bis were reminescent of professional wrestlers at
Amateur) as its official name. their very best.
The second half of the century began with a Due to the great geographical distance only 85
new schedule of competitions. It has been decided wrestlers in Greco-Roman style from 20 contries
to hold World championships in both styles biannu- took part in the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956.
ally and the World Cup in the Olympic year. Accord- The Soviet wrestlers: N. Soloviev, R. Vyrupayev, G.
ing to the new Calender three World championships Kartozia, V. Nikolayev and A. Parfenov took five gold
in Greco-Roman wrestling took place: in Stockholm medals. Their prudent technical approach to
(1950), Naples (1953) and Karlsruhe (1955) and the wrestling however, jeopardized the beauty of their
World Cup took place in Istanbul, in 1956. The win- performance. A 2 meter tall giant, A. Parfenov, be-
ners of these championships were oustanding came champion in the "heavy" category. During
wrestlers. The Swedes O. Anderberg and G. Freij the war he was wounded crossing a river, but
were no longer in the prime of their youth, but they managed to carry with him a heavy gun and cover
were experienced athletes for whom there were no his comrades. Evidently, the valiant always behave
secrets in wrestling. Already in Naples the gold me- appropriately, be it in every day life or on the mat.
dal ratio between the USSR and Sweden was 5:3. The Finnish wrestlers: R. Mäkinen and K. Lehtonen

83

won two titles, but Finland did not manage to take a
single gold medal. The Turkish champion demon-
strated a successful combination of strength and
outstanding technique.
Progress in wrestling was characterized by a
rapid shift in the title of champion. New names were
emerging as Olympic champions. From among the
world champions only Kartozia, Nikolae'iev, Degistanli
and Sasahara managed to attain the Olympic top.
84
In free-style wrestling participation was better:
110 competitors from 28 countries. No World
champion from Helsinki (1952) managed to win a
title at the World championship in Tokyo (1954). The
favourites of the event were the Soviet wrestlers.
They had seven Georgians and one Estonian on
their team. They took five medals, two of them gold,
thanks to the invincible Georgian "crochet". At the
Olympic Games, however, it was only M. Tsalkala-
manidze who managed to win the title of champion.
V. Balavadze, one of the most outstanding masters
of wrestling technique, only come in third. The oppo-
nents had discovered efficient ways and means to
counteract each other's actions on the mat. It is
thanks to their "thunderstorm" attacks and perfect
tactics that the Japanese wrestlers won their
champion titles. "Fireman's carry throws" per-
formed by E. Habibi (Iran) were fatal for all his oppo-
nents and the mighty G.R. Takhti mastered the mat
like an ancient deity. Dagistanly (Turkey) implement-
ed the technique of "riveting" his opponents to the
ground. His compatriot H. Kaplan, with his harmoni-
ous body, was a striking contrast to the big wrestlers
of "heavy" category with their enormous bodies
and bursting muscles. After a victory on points and
a defeat by fall Nikola Stanchev (Bulgaria) in dramat-
ic combat managed to win three matches in a row,
by fall, and thus became the first Bulgarian Olympic
champion. Also, some other Bulgarian wrestlers
(Dobrev, Sirakov, Mehmedov) at the beginning of
their wrestling careers demonstrated mastership in
both wrestling styles.
It is at the Melbourne Olympic Games that the
schools of wrestling which were to take the lead on
the world mat in the forthcoming decade, actually
asserted themselves. Also, FILA elected its new of-
ficials: Emre (Turkey), Himberg (Finland), Macken-
zie (Great Britain), Hatta (Japan), Katulin (USSR),
De Ferrari (USA), Matura (Hungary), Bafico (Italy),
Ratib (Egypt), Ströbäck (Sweden), Perrel (the
Netherlands), Pascal (Spain), Ercegan (Yugoslavia)
and Hergl (Germany).
 К. Lechtonen FIN and G. Toth HUN

A. Parfenov USSR

Shozo Sasahara JPN

85
 Shozo Sasahara JPN

86
Lutvi Ahmedov BUL against Hamit Kaplan TUR, (Sofia, 1958)

87
 Kangasniemi FIN-Lewis USA

К. Lehtonen FIN

Hamit Kaplan TUR

88
 8. OLYMPIC WRESTLING
ON THREE CONTINENTS
The holding of three consecutive Olympic
Games on three different continents was a testimo­
ny of their increasing universally recognized import­
ance at that time. Many new countries, neighbours
of the host cities, took part in the Rome, Tokyo and
Mexico City Olympic Games. The popularity of
wrestling was growing and its athletic mastership in­
creasing. Different styles from the previous period
were still being fostered, but tactical novelties were
also taking root with the view of counteracting the
new approach demonstrated by some wrestlers. Be­
sides, the coaches and their trainees were more
than eager to develop a new approach to wrestling.
Rome, the host city of the Olympic Games in
1960, opened its doors to 5, 337 athletes from 84
countries. The Basilica Massenzio in the vicinity of
the Coloseum, the Forum and other ancient historic-
JEUX DE LA XVII OLYMPIADE
ROMA O O O 25УШ-П.ІХ
al monuments in Rome, were the venue of the
wrestling competitions. It was the right back-drop for
the Olympic spirit. One could feel the effect better.
The Eternal City had never had more enthusiastic
and noble visitors and competitors than on that oc­
casion. Aminated discussions focused not only on
athletic performance, but also on the art of Leonardo
da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangello, thus reviving
the Olympic spirit and the Hellenic ideals at their
best.
In Greco-Roman wrestling the number of com­
petitors amounted to 174, from 32 countries. M. Bay-
rak (Turkey) took his second gold and only one
World champion, I. Bogdan from the USSR repeat­
ed his exploit and also took the Olympic gold. D. Pir-
vulescu (Rumania) and M. Siile (Turkey) were out­
standing in performing overthrows in standing
position. "Par-terre" О. Karayev (USSR) was invin­
cible in performing waist locks in bridge, whereas A.
Koridze (USSR) and M. Bayrak (Turkey) were out­
standing in performing spectacular lifts by rear waist
lock. D. Dobrev (Bulgaria), champion in weight-
lifting, demonstrated the power of spiritual strength
combined with the strength of muscles. Kiss (Tur­
key) and Bogdan (USSR) demonstrated a less at­
tractive wrestling than usual, but sufficient to
jeopardize the victory of such stars as: G. Kartozia,
I. Kozma and W. Dietrich.
The road to Rome passed through the World
championships of Istambul (1957) and Teheran
(1959) and the World Cup in Sofia (1959). H. Akbas,
M. Dagistanly, V. Balavadze and E. Habibi offered
genuinely spectacular performance in wrestling.
The lame and stuttering Demosthenes, thanks to
hard work and tenacity, managed to become one of
the most famous orators of his time ; the lame Akbas
managed to transform his handicap into a very dan­
gerous and mighty weapon against his opponents.
H. Kaplan, World and Olympic champion, never be­
fore defeated, had to surrender the match to L.
Ahmedov (Bulgaria). It is at the Olympic Games in
Rome that P. Sirakov became the first Bulgarian
Olympic champion.
Out of all great wrestlers only M. Dagistanly
(double Olympic champion and three times World
champion) passed the Olympic test. T Mc Cann, S.
89

Dimitar Dobrev BUL
Wilson and D. Blubaugh, all three from the USA,
took the gold in the most unexpected, but spectacu-
lar way. The Turkish wrestlers H. Güngör and I. Atli
demonstrated a simple but self-confident wrestling.
The results in the "heavy" category were most un-
expected. W. Dietrich (Germany) was first in Greco-
Roman wrestling, leaving behind him: S. Dzarassov,
H. Kaplan, L. Ahmedov, etc. He also won another
medal in Greco-Roman wrestling and the following
year demonstrated his mastership in free-style
wrestling as well.
As of 1960 the championships in both styles
have been organized annually. This decision, taken
by FILA, has actually contributed to the promotion of
wrestling. Not a single champion of the RomeOlym-
90
pic Games managed to take the gold in Tokyo
(1964).
The World championships took place in: Yoko-
hama (1961), Toledo (1962) and Helsinki (1963). The
Olympic champions: O. Karavayev, I. Polyak, G. Kar-
tozia, I. Bogdan, A. Koridze and Ichiguchi continued
their successful wrestling careers. Also, new names
emerged: S. Rybalko, A. Kolessov, R. Abahidze and
g. Sapunov, all from the USSR, J. Varga and I. Koz-
ma from Hungary, B. Vukov and S. Horvat from Yu-
goslavia, H. Mustafa from Egypt and V. Bularca from
Romania.
This time the Olympic top was not accessible to
champions of the previous Games. The Soviet
wrestlers, able to win even six champion titles at one
single championship, in Tokyo, have only A. Koles-
sov who managed to take the gold. Thanks to their
dynamic and technically outstanding wrestling T.
Hanahara and M. Ichiguchi, both from Japan, and
K. Ayvaz from Turkey, won the championships in
their respective weight categories. In his wrestling
the Hungarian I. Polyak once more demonstrated
that there was no obsolete hold in wrestling. I. Koz-
ma tried hard to use his strength as a weapon
 Imre Polyak HUN
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91
Boyan Radev BUL

O. Watanabe JPN

István Kozma HUN

92
against his opponents, but they were equal to him in
that regard. B. Simitch (Yugoslavia) demonstrated
technically outstanding and mature wrestling; the
victory of B. Radev was beautiful and un-
challengeable.
Championships in free-style wrestling took
place in Yokohama (1961), Toledo (1962) and Sofia
(1963). The advent of a new generation was the most
salient common feature of all these events. At the
Olympic Games in Rome the Iranian wrestlers had
very high aspirations in six categories, but were
defeated in the 4-th and 5-th circles. This time, the
rejuvenated Iranian team took five gold medals at
the World championship in 1961 thanks to: M.
Safepour, M. Sanatkaran, E. Habibi, M. Savarabadi
and G. Takhti. In 1962 M. Mehidzadah emerged on
the mat. The Turks did not perform outstandingly.
They took only two gold medals: H. Akbas in 1962
and G. Yanilmaz in 1963. The Bulgarians were
climbing towards the top thanks to the victories of E.
Valtchev and P. Gardjev. The phenomenal O.
Watanabe and his compratiot I. Horiuchi were two
Enyu Valtchev BUL
new names bringing fresh blood from Japan. The
Soviet champions were again the most numerous:
A. Aliyev (fifth time world champion), V. Rubashvili,
A. Ibragimov, G. Sagaradze, and two more: A. Med-
vedev and A. Ivanitzki with brilliant prostects.
In Tokyo (1964) 163 competitors from 36 coun-
tries took part in free-style wrestling competitions.
Not a single former Olympic champion won this title
again, at these Games. The Japanese, great ad-
mirers of their sumo wrestling (in their mythology
these wrestlers are compared to the mountains),
with great joy and enthusiasm accaimed their
champions in the lightest weight categories: I.
Jochida, Uetake and O. Watanabe. E. Valtchev and
R Garyev (Bulgaria), Ogan (Turkey), A. Medvedev
and A. Ivanitzki (USSR) managed to win their titles
of champion only after strenous and difficult
matches against their worthy opponents. This event
clearly revealed the trend towards the uniformity of
styles. Outstanding wrestlers such as: Aliev, Yanil-
maz, Movahed, Mehdizadeh, Takhti, etc., did not
manage to take a single medal.
93
 The XVIII-th Olympic Games in Tokyo were a
true festivity of peace. It was Yonoshori Sakai, a boy
born in the neighbourhood of Hiroshima on the day
when the bomb was dropped, who lit the Olympic
flame. His torch and the slogan "The whole world is
an Olympiade" have added a new meaning to the
Olympic symbols.

Prodan Gardjev BUL

Alexandre Ivanitzki and Lutvi Ahmedov

The Olympic Games in Mexico, in 1968, were

not only a sports event but an equally important cul-
tural event. The encounter with the vestiges of the
Aztecan civilization, the paintings of Orozoko and
Siqueiros, the song and dance performances and
the impressive works of ancient and modern ar-
chitecture was a unique experience for the officials,
athletes and guests. During the Games, the Mexi-
cans had to give up their passion for bullfighting for
the benefit of sports competitions and Olympic
humanism.
Because of the specific climate the preparation
of the athletes for the Mexican Olympic Games had
to be conducted accordingly. The altitude of 2,240
m. and lack of oxygen could cause respiratory
problems for the athletes. To prepare the athletes for
efforts to be sustained in such conditions, the prepa-
rations had been conducted at similar altitudes.

94
 Competitions in wrestling attracted a great
number of fans. In Greco-Roman wrestling I. Kozma
(Hungary) took his second gold in the "heavy"
category and with his other three World champion ti-
tles became one of the best wrestlers of this century.
Boyan Radev (Bulgaria), World champion and fa-
mous for his great physical strength and attractive
wrestling, also took the Olympic gold. Actually, the
Olympic gold was taken by five countries: P. Kirov
(Bulgaria) thus marking the beginning of an out-
standing golden career; the experienced wrestlers:
J. Varga (Hungary) and R. Rurua (USSR) did not
give a chance to their opponents ; and the superiori-
ty of Munemura (Japan) and Metz (GDR) was un-
challenged.
It is at the World championships in Tampere
(1965), Toledo (1966) and Bucarest (1967) that a
cluster of great champions emerged. The Soviet
wrestlers: S. Rybalko, G. Sapunov, A. Kolessov, A.
Anissimov, N. Chmakov, V. Igumenov, V. Olenik, V.
Bakulin, N. Yakovenko, etc., have demonstrated out-
standing sport mastership. They took seven gold Petar Kirov BUL
medals. At the Olympic Games, on the other hand,
it is only R. Rurua who saved the honour of his coun-
try. World champions: A. Kerezov and B. Radev
(Bulgaria), I. Cernea an I. Baciu (Rumania), I. Koz-

Kazakov USSR and Varga HUN

ma and L. Sillay (Hungary), F. Stange (GDR), S. Hor-
vat (Yugoslavia) and E. Tapio (Finland) have demon-
strated top wrestling. The difference in rating at the
World championships and the Olympic Games may
be explained by the participation of a great number
of wrestlers of equal level and the problems of
adaptability connected with high altitude during the
prepartions.
In free-style wrestling (164 participants from 38
countries) Uetake (Japan) and. A. Medvedev
(USSR) took the Olympic gold for the second time,
the latter in the heaviest category. The offensive
wrestling of Nakata and Kaneko (Japan) was award-
ed. After the gold medals won by M. Atalay and A.
Ayik, the Turkish wrestlers had a rather long period
of ineffectivennes as far as medals are concerned.
Two more gold medals were taken by A. Movahed
(Iran) and B. Gurevitch (USSR).
Between the two Olympic Games the world
championships in free-style wrestling were or-
ganized in: Manchester (1965), Toledo (1966) and
New Delhi (1967). A. Medvedev, A. Ivanizki, A. Ayik
and M. Koneko took the gold for the second time,
thus becoming double champions. A. Movahed
(Iran) managed to take gold three consecutive
times, only thanks to his strength, prevailing in an
unimpressive performance. P. Gardjev (Bulgaria)
won his second title of World champion. A great suc-
cess of D. Robin (France) and top rating of: Y. Yoshi-
da, T Fukuda and M. Kaneko (Japan), San Sun
Chang (Korea), S. Safepur and M. Mehdizadeh
(Iran), G. Sagaradze, A. Aliev, B. Gurevitch, A. Med-
vedev and A. Ivanitzki (USSR) and M. Atalay and A.
Ayik (Turkey) remain memorable. It is in Mexico that
the Mongolian wrestlers participated in the Olympic
Games for the first time and took three bronze me-
dals thanks to their picturesque traditional style
bokh.
During the period under review FILA has been
very active in various fields, and particularly in ad-
ministration. Among its many achievements the fol-
lowing points deserve special mention: notable im-
provement in the exchange of information with the
national federations, publication of the FILA BULLE-
TIN, introduction of licences for wrestlers and de-
velopment of a good qualification system for judge-
96
referees. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Milan Ercegan,
Secretary General of FILA, several films have been
made for the education of judge-referees. However,
the decisions connected with the organisation of
championships for juniors and the number of weight
categories increased from 8 to 10, count among the
most important achievements of FILA in that period.
The scope of wrestling by far exceeded its
Calendar of competitions. FILA decided to place the
World championship in Machester (1965) on equal
footing with the continental championships. Accord-
ing to the new pattern the champions at these com-
petitions retained their titles of World champion and
the best rated wrestlers per continent in their
respective weight categories were proclaimed
champions of their respective continents. The Man-
chester World Championship has not been ana-
lyzed in any history of wrestling, but it was on event
which was a driving force, helping to bring about the
revival of European championships as independent
competitions, organized already in the following
year (Essen, 1966).
Sambo, as an independent style was in-
troduced in the FILA system in 1966. Like judo, this
sport is an artifical product. Sambo was invented in
the Soviet Union, in the thirties, as a synthesis of
wrestling holds recognized in the Rules as legal. In
its Decree No. 6,633, from 1938 the Committee for
Physical Culture and Sports of the USSR, defines
sambo as a combination of the most precious forms
of traditional Georgian, Tadjuk, Uzbek, Kazakh and
Kirgiz wrestling and the best defensive holds prac-
ticed in other varieties of this sport. Sambo is actual-
ly an abbreviation standing for (in Russian) "un-
armed self-defense". The first European cham-
pionship in sambo was organized in Riga, in 1972,
followed by the championships in: Teheran (1973),
Ulan Bator (1974), Minsk (1975), etc. Later on, at-
tempts have been made to establish the rules and
holds of sambo by borrowing them from wrestling.
At the European championship in Skopje (1968)
a festival of traditional wrestling was organized un-
der the auspices of FILA. This was the first official
presentation of traditional wrestling and the first ef-
fort to encourage the promotion of these wrestling
forms.
 9. PROGRESS IN THE
SHADOW OF POLITICS
From Pierre de Coubertin's MEMOIRSwe learn
that the Olympic sky has never been clear and
without clouds. Like Hercules fighting with the hydra
Lerne, the Olympic movement has had to cope with
all of the calamities our age has been exposed to:
wars, colonialism, racism, chauvinism and political
obstacles. In spite of sociological theories preach­
ing and supporting the autonomous status of sport
in society, numerous elements testify to the opposite
and prove its status of subordination with regard to
the ruling social and political systems.
The division of the world into political and mili­
tary blocks has only encouraged penetration of po­
litics into sports. Therefore, Olympic medals, titles
and sports records have very often been rated as
political achievements.
Actually, unofficial classification started after
the Helsinki Olympic Games (1952), based on the
number of medals and overall scores of the par­
ticipating countries, particularly the USA and the
USSR. This was a way of using sports results to
demonstrate the sound foundation and validity of a
given social system. This approach was particularly
fostered in the socialist countries. E.g., as soon as
Munich was selected to host the Olympic Games in
1972 the preparation of the athletes in the GDR be­
gan as a political task of paramount importance. The
point was to make the whole world aware of the ad­
vantages, although most of them fictitious, of their
ruling political system.
At the Olympic wrestling tournament in Greco-
Roman style, 194 wrestlers from 39 countries took The classification of the champions was logical:
part, demonstrating a large variety of styles. Only P. eight among them were already World champions,
Korov (Bulgaria), won the title for the second time. In and Maha and Khisamuldinov were to take this title
his career he was three times World champion and the following year.
four times European champion. His mastership was In the heavy category, already in the first round,
based on an ingenious and impecable wrestling the American Chris Taylor weighing 191 kg (his
technique. Other champions: R. Kazakov and S. name can be found in the Guinness book) was con-
Khisamuldinov (USSR), G. Markov (Bulgaria), С fronted with V. Dietrich (Germany). Seeing the two of
Hegedüs (Hungary) and G. Berceanu (Romania) them facing each other on the mat, the public ex-
were intrepid, agressive and very skillful for their pected a fight between David and Goliath. At the be-
age. A. Rotkhin (USSR), N. Martinescu (Romania) ginning Dietrich was rather sluggish and indolent. At
and V. Maha demonstrated a more balanced one point Taylor opened himself. Swift as lightning
wrestling style. After two consecutive titles of World Dietrich reacted by thrusting himself forward and
champion V. Resanzev (USSR) was calm, but very locking his opponent's body lifted him and per-
efficient on the mat, using his strength sparingly. formed one of the most difficult holds, sit back-

97
(souplesse), to throw him down. All journalists
agreed to have witnessed the performance of "a
hold of the century".
In the weight category up to 57 kg. European
champion Trai'kov (Bulgaria) won the championship
on points, in the matches with: K. Coric (Yugosla-
via), R. Kazakov (USSR), F. Scuder (Italy), J. Lipien
(Poland), I. Baciu (Romania) and H. Veil (Germany),
who were all eliminated from competition without
being defeated. This unprecedented case called for
urgent amendments to the Rules.
At the World Championships in: Mar del Plata
(1969), Edmonton (1970) and Sofia (1971), in addition
to Olympic champions the favourites were also:
Zubkov, R. Rurua, N. Yakovenko, A. Yurkevitch, A.
Nazarenko and V. Igumenov, all from the USSR, P.
Krumov and A. Tomov from Bulgaria, J. Varga from
Hungary, S. Popescu from Rumania, S. Damjanovic
from Yugoslavia, H. Fujimoto from Japan, F Arlu-
zahed from Iran and P. Svensson from Sweden.
The Olympic tournament in free-style wrestling
had a record participation of 219 athletes from 43
countries, almost all of them Olympic champions,
except R. Dimitriev, Kato and B. Peterson, or World
champions, once or more times. Two Japanese
wrestlers: K. Kato and H. Yanagida performed
remarkably in the "light" category, but were not able

Levan Tediashvili USSR

98
 CLASSIFICATION OF THE OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONS-1973-1976 OLYMPIC CYCLE

Greco-Roman wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
cat. 1973 1974 1975 1976
48 V. Zubkov(USSR) V. Zubkov(USSR) V. Zubkov(USSR) A. Shumakov (USSR)
52 N. Ginga (ROM) P. Kirov (BUL) V. Konstantinov(USSR) V. Konstantinov(USSR)
57 J. Lipien (POL) F. Mustafin (USSR) F Mustafin (USSR) P. Ukkola(FIN)
62 K. Lipien (POL) K. Lipien (POL) N. Davidian (USSR) K. Lipien (POL)
68 S. Khisamutdinov(USSR) N. Davidian (USSR) S. Khisamutdinov(USSR) S. Nalbadjan (USSR)
74 I. Kolev(BUL) V. Macha (TCH) A. Bykov(USSR) A. Bykov(USSR)
82 L. Liberman (USSR) A. Nazarenko(USSR) A. Nazarenko (USSR) M. Petkovic(YUG)
90 V. Resansev(USSR) V. Resansev(USSR) V. Resansev(USSR) V. Resansev(USSR)
100 N. Balboshian(USSR) N. Balboshian (USSR) K. Losanov(BUL) N. Balboshian (USSR)
+ 100 A. Tomov(BUL) A. Tomov(BUL) A. Tomov(BUL) A. Koltchinski (USSR)

Free-style wrestling
Weight World Championships World Championships World Championships The Olympic games
cat. 1973 1974 1975 1976
48 R. Dimitriev(USSR) H. Issaev(BUL) H. Issaev(BUL) H. Issaev(BUL)
52 I. Jayadi (IRN) Y. Takada(JPN) Y. Takada(JPN) Y Takada (JPN)
57 M. Farahvashi (IRN) V. Jumin (USSR) M. Aral (JPN) V. Jumin (USSR)
62 Z. Abdulbekov(USSR) Z. Oidov(MGL) Z. Oidov(MGL) J. Mo Yang(KOR)
68 L. Keazer(USA) N. Nasrulaev(USSR) P. Pinigin (USSR) P. Pinigin (USSR)
74 M. Barzegar (IRN) R. Achsuraliev(USSR) R. Achsurallev(USSR) J. Date (JPN)
82 V. Siulshin(USSR) V. Novojilov(USSR) A. Seger(GER) J. Peterson (USA)
90 L. Tediashvili (USSR) L. Tediashvili (USSR) L. Tediashvili (USSR) L. Tediashvili (USSR)
100 I. Yarygin(USSR) V. Gulutkin (USSR) K. Bayanmunkh (MGL) I. Yarygin(USSR)
+ 100 S. Andiev(USSR) L. Simon (ROM) S. Andiev(USSR) S. Andiev(USSR)

to go beyond the limits of their traditional style.
Among a great number of outstanding champions
defending the colours of the USA, it was Dan Gable
who epitomized the very top of American and global
wrestling thanks to his tactical maturity. W. Welles
and B. Peterson took two more titles for the USA.
The Soviet wrestlers R. Dimitrev and Z. Abdulbekov
demonstrated a similar style. The Georgian L. Tedi-
ashvili was technically outstanding. His compatroit
from Siberia, I. Yaruguin, defeated 7 opponents by
fall. The legendary A. Medvedev added one more
Olympic gold medal to his seven titles of World
champion, three of European champion and two
Olympic golds. His is the highest achievement in
this century.
The World championships in free-style and
Greco-Roman wrestling were organized jointly.
Among the top wrestlers of these events the follow-
ing names should be particularly mentioned: I.
Javadi (3 titles), A. Movahed (2 titles), S. Seyedabasi
and M. Gorbani from Iran, T. Tanaka and T. Morita
from japan, F. Fozzard and R. Sanders from the
USA, R. Petrov from Bulgaria, A. Riza from Turkey
and Z. Beriashvili, B. Gurevich, S. Lomidze, J. Shah-
muradov, G. Strakov, V. Gulgutin and J. Gussov from
the USSR.
In spite of their political implications, athletic
confrontations did not jeopardize the Olympic spirit.
But, it was an act of terrorism commited by the Arab
organization "Black September" that actually
caused dishonour to the Games, when the terrorists
entered the Olympic village and took as hostages
the Israeli officials and athletes. The balance of this
tragedy was 17 casualties. The media went so far as
to quality that incident as "murder" of the Olympic
Games.
When Mr. Roger Coulon, President of FILA
died, interim presidency was entrusted to the Secre-

99
tary General, Mr. Milan Ercegan, a personality en-
dowed with outstanding qualities for creative, or-
ganizational and operational work. At the Congress
in Munich he was unanimously elected President of
FILA. His programmes have opened up bright
prospect for the promotion of wrestling by encourag-
ing the National Federation to invest their very best
efforts in the future of wrestling.
Milan Ercegan
At the XX-st Olympic Games in Montreal (1976),
security was tight and efficient, but this time it was
political problems that jeopardized their smooth
running. The I.O.C. had decided to eliminate the
South African Republic from all international sports
events because of its policy of apartheid. Tanzania
proposed to also ban New Zeland from the Games
for their alleged contacts with South Africa. The
proposal was rejected, but some African countries,
namely: Gambia, Zair, Gabon, Madagascar, Malawi
and the Central African Republic, decided not to
participate in the Olympic Games in Montreal.
Moreover, after the inauguration Algeria, Upper-
Volta, Ghana, Egypt, Zambia, Iraq, Camaroon,
Kenya, Marroco, Tunisia, Nigeria, etc., left the
Games. Political differences only slightly affected
wrestling. On the other hand, East European coun-
100
tries boycotted the European championship in
Modena (1969). Later on there were some incidents
connected with protocol involving the national an-
thems and flags, then the forfeit of Albanian athletes
after their matches against the Americans, Soviets,
etc. In this atmosphere FILA has managed to suc-
cessfully overcome political intolerance and assert
the spirit of mutual understanding.
In Montreal at the tournament in Greco-Roman
wrestling it is the Soviet wrestlers that took the
greatest number of champion titles. Beside Zubkov,
triple World champion, A. Chumkov quite unexpect-
edly joined the Soviet Olympic team. V. Konstan-
tinov and A. Bykov, although far from brilliant,
managed to rate first in their respective categories.
S. Nalbandian and N. Bolbochin, both double World
champions, also rated first. V. Resanzev, a four time
World champion, won one more champion title
without introducing any essential change in his
technical and tactical performance. Other champ-
ions paricipating in the Montreal Olympic Games
have demonstrated strength and a rational technical
approach to wrestling (P. Ukkola-Finland) elegance
and perfection (K. Lipien-Pland), technical maturity
and gift for anticipation (A. Koltchinsky-USSR) and
M. Petrovic-Yugoslavia).
In free-style wrestling seven World champions
also took the Olympic gold L. Tediashvili (three
times World champion), and Yaryguin (USSR), Ch.
Issaev (Bulgaria) and Y. Takada (Japan) became
double Olympic champions by demonstrating a
diversified, impressive and beautiful wrestling. V.
Jumin and P. Pineguin reached the top thanks to to
their tough and agressive wrestling. In the heaviest
category Soslan Andiev a 2 meter tall Soviet wrest-
ler once again took the opportunity to demonstrate
the advantages of an anthletic body. Although
without a World champion title J. Yang (Korea) J.
Date (Japan) and J. Peterson (USA) took the gold in
their respective weight categories thanks to their
mastership and self-confidence on the mat.
Numerous are the World champions whose
names remain engraved in the history of wrestling:
A. Tomov (Bulgaria) four times World champion
thanks to victory by fall in 90% of matches. K.
Khisamutdinov, N. Davidian, F. Mustafin and A.
Nazarenko, double World champions, and P. Kirov
even three times. K. Lozanov (Bulgaria), N. Ginga
(Romania), V. Macha (Czechoslovakia) and N.
Dinev (Bulgaria) with their first World champion
titles.
Top mastership of World champions in free-
style wrestling: R. Dimitriev, Z. Abdulbekov, R.
Achuraliyev and V. Gulutkin (USSR), I. Javadi and
M. Barzegar (Iran), L. Keaser (USA), A. Seger (Ger-
Three Olympic Champions: Kocsis HUN,
Petrovic YUG and D. Dobrev, referee

101
 Nikolay Balbouchin USSR

102
 Al. Koltchinski
USSR
and A. Tomov BUL

Ivan Yarigin
USSR

Hassan Issaev BUL and Nikola Stantchev, coach

103
 Ivan Yarigin and Alexander Medved

104
 CLASSIFICATION OF THE OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONS-1977-1980 OLYMPIC CYCLE

Greco-Roman wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
cat. 1977 1978 1979 1980
48 A. Shumakov(USSR) С Alexsandru (ROM) С Alexandru (ROM) Z. Ushkempirov(USSR)
52 N. Ginga (ROM) W. Blagidze(USSR) L. Racz(HUN) V. Blagidze(USSR)
57 P. Ukkola(FIN) S. Serikov(USSR) S. Serikov(USSR) S. Serikov(USSR)
62 L. Reczi (HUN) B. Kramarenko(USSR) I. Toth(HUN) S. Migiakis(GER)
68 H. H. Wehling (AUT) S. Rusu (ROM) A. Supron (POL) S. Rusu (ROM)
74 V. Macha (TCH) A. Niftulajev(USSR) J. Chopov(BUL) F. Kocsis(HUN)
F. Kocsis(HUN)
82 W. Tcheboksarov(USSR) I. Draica(ROM) G. Korban (USSR) G. Korban (USSR)
90 F. Andersson (SWE) S. Nikolov(BUL) F Andersson (SWE) N. Novenyi (HUN)
100 N. Balboshian (USSR) N. Balboshian (USSR) N. Balboshin (USSR) G. Raikov(BUL)
+ 100 N. Dinev(BUL) A. Koltchinski (USSR) A. Tomov(BUL) A. Koltchinski (USSR)

Free-style wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
poids 1977 1978 1979 1980
48 A. Beloglazov(USSR) S. Kornilaev(USSR) S. Kornilaev(USSR) С Pol lio (ITA)
52 Y. Takada(JPN) A. Beloglazov(USSR) Y. Takada(JPN) A. Beloglazov(USSR)
57 T. Sasaki (JPN) H. Tomiyana(JPN) H. Tomiyana (JPN) S. Beloglazov(USSR)
62 V. Jumin (USSR) V. Jumin (USSR) V. Jumin (USSR) M. Abushev(USSR)
68 P. Pinigin (USSR) P. Pinigin (USSR) M. Sharatshura(USSR) S. Absaidov(USSR)
74 S. Dziedzic(USA) D. Kemp (USA) D. Kemp (USA) V. Rajtchev(BUL)
82 A. Seger(GER) M. Arazilov(USSR) I. Kovacs(HUN) I. Abilov(BUL)
90 A. Prokoptshu (USSR) U. Neupert(GER) K. Ortskujev(USSR) S. Oganesjan (USSR)
100 A. Bisultanov(USSR) H. Buttmer (GDR) I. Mate (USSR) I. Mate (USSR)
+ 100 S. Andiev(USSR) S. Andiev(USSR) S. Khasimikov(USSR) S. Andiev(USSR)

many) and many others deserve special mention.
(Table 4)
The boycott of the Moscow and Los Angeles
Olympic Games staged by the two super powers
respectively demonstrates the most serious ex­
ternal interference with the activities of the Olympic
movement. Insisting that the organization of the
Olympic Games solely pertains to its sphere of
authority, the I.O.C. was up to its task by remaining
above all political confrontation. In spite of the boy­
cott and the publicity campaign launched in the
main-stream media the Olympic Games took place
unimpeded. However, the disappointment of the
athletes who were denied the opportunity to demon­
strate their athletic abilities and mastership re­
mained. In this context we should remember the
words of the American scholar Santayana who said :
"Those who forget the past are doomed to
repeat it."
During the two Olympic cycles, from 1976 to
1984, the development of wrestling was on the as­
cent. However, it should be emphasized that compe­
titions were much keener at the World champion­
ships than at the Olympic Games.
World championships in Greco-Roman
wrestling held in Göteborg (1977), Mexico (1978) and
San Diego (1979) demonstrated outstanding
wrestling with unchallenged sumpremacy of the
Soviet, Bulgarian, Romanian and Hungarian wrestl-
ers. The stormy ascent of wrestlers from "Eastern"
counties jeopardized the leading status of the
Western wrestlers whose glory began to shrink like
Shagreen leather. Only P. Ukkola (Finland) and F.
Andersson (Sweden) took the gold.

105
 In Moscow A. Koltchinski was the only champ-
ion of the Montreal Olympic Games who took the
gold. In spite of his outstanding performance Alex-
andre Tomov (Bulgaria), six times World champion
and five times European champion, the wrestler
who defeated Koltchinsky several times, concluded
his sports career with three silver Olympic medals.
Seven Olympic champions were also World champ-
ions. Since the competitors were of more, or less,
equal sporting standing, their uninspired wrestling
did not arouse greater interest. Uchkempirov
(USSR) was first in the lightest category, leaving
behind him Alexandru (Romania) double World
champion and Chumakov (USSR) World champion.
Blagidze defeated two World champions: Ginga
(Romania) and Racz (Hungary). Servikov convinc-
ingly prevailed over his opponents. Korban (USSR),
on the other hand, had great difficulties in this
respect. The Greeks celebrated the victory of their
first Olympic champion-Migiakis- with undescrib-
able joy. Hungary greeted the success of Kocsis
(World champion) and N. Noeveyu. According to A.
Ivanitski, thanks to his "sixth sense" S. Rusu (Ro-
mania) facing on the mat opponents with champion
titles managed to defeat them due to his technical
mastership, maturity and cleverness. For various
reasons many former World champions, including:
Racz and Toth (Hungary), Macha (Czechoslovakia),

C. Andiev, J. Sachmuradov

106
Stilianos Migiakis GRE Anatoliy and Serguey Beloglazov

Valentin Raítchev BUL

107
Draica (Romania), F. Andersson (Sweden), N.
Dinev. Ya. Chpov and S. Nikolov (Bulgaria) and
Tcheboksarov, Kramarenko and Niftulayev (USSR)
at this tournament rated lower than expected. The
outstanding N. Balbochin, Olympic and five times
World champion, had to leave the tournament due
to injury.
In free-style wrestling the competition was less
keen. The victory of C. Pllio (Italy) in the lightest
category was a pleasant surprise. No less surprising
and brilliant was the victory of B. Raytchev (Bul­
garia), not even a national champion. The wrestling
of the Beloglazov brothers was striking and very im­
pressive thanks to their performance of holds worth
being included in the encyclopedia of wrestling.
Strength and toughness- these were the praises
describing the combats of M. Abuchev and S. Ab-
saïdov (USSR). Offensive wrestling demonstrated
by S. Oganessian was powerful, beautiful and swift
like lightning. I. Abilov (Bulgaria) demonstrated an
outstanding technical mastership. It is at this tourn-
ament that S. Andiev, double Olympic and four
times World champion, ended his sports career,
with only one victory scored. Later on he got his doc-
tor's degree in science and became minister of
sports. Due to the boycott many outstanding World
championships did not appear on the Olympic mat
in Moscow: Y. Takada, H. Tomiyama and T. Sasaki
(Japan), A. Seger, nicknamed "Steel" (Germany)
and D. Kemp and S. Dziedzic (USA). The names of
other outstanding champions, masters of the mat
from that period, should also be mentioned: T.
Kovacz (Hungary), U. Neupert and H. Bütner (GDR)
and S. Kornilayev (double World champion) V. Jumin

CLASSIFICATION OF THE OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONS-1981-1984 OLYMPIC CYCLE

Greco-Roman wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
cat. 1981 1982 1983 1984
48 Z. Ushkempirov(USSR) R. Kazarashvili (USSR) B. Tzenov(BUL) V. Maenza(ITA)
52 V. Blagidze(USSR) B. Pashaian (USSR) B. Pashaian (USSR) A. Miyahara(JPN)
57 P. Passarelli (GER) P. Michalik (POL) M. Eto(JPN) P. Passarelli (GER)
62 I. Toth (HUN) R. Swierad(POL) H. Lahtinen(FIN) W. Kim (KOR)
68 G. Ermilov(USSR) G. Ermilov(USSR) T. Sipila (FIN) V. Lisjak (YUG)
74 A. Kudriavzev(USSR) S. Rusu(ROM) M. Mamiashvili (USSR) J. Salonaki (FIN)
82 G. Korban(USSR) T. Alkhazawa(USSR) T. Alkhazawa(USSR) I. Draica (ROM)
90 I. Kanygin (USSR) F. Andersson (SWE) I. Kanygin (USSR) S. Fraser (USA)
100 M. Saladze(USSR) Wroclawski (POL) A. Dimitrov(BUL) V. Andrei (ROM)
+ 100 R. Memisevic (YUG) N. Dinev(BUL) I. Artjushin (USSR) J. Blatnik(USA)

Free-style wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
cat. 1981 1982 1983 1984
48 S. Kornilaev(USSR) S. Kornilaev(USSR) К. С Hwan (PRK) R. Weaver (USA)
52 T. Asakura(JPN) H. Reich (GER) V. Jordanov(BUL) S. Trstena(YUG)
57 S. Beloglazov(USSR) A. Beloglazov(USSR) S. Beloglazov(USSR) H. Tomijama (JPN)
62 S. Sterev(BUL) S. Beloglazov(USSR) V. Alekseev(USSR) R. Lewis (USA)
68 S. Absaidov(USSR) M. Sharashura(USSR) A. Fadzaev(USSR) You In-Tak(KOR)
74 M. Knosp (GER) L. Kemp (USA) D. Schultz (USA) D. Schultz (USA)
82 С Campbell (USA) T. Dsgoev(USSR) T. Dsgoev(USSR) M. Schultz (USA)
90 S. Oganesjan (USSR) U. Neupert (GER) P. Naniev(USSR) E. Banach (USA)
100 R. Gehrke(GER) I. Mate (USSR) A. Khadartsev(USSR) L. Banach (USA)
+ 100 S. Khasimikov(USSR) S. Khasimikov(USSR) S. Khasimikov(USSR) B. Baumgartner (USA)
(three times World champion), P. Peniguin (double
World champion), M. Arazhilov, A. Bisultanov and S.
Khassimikov (USSR). (Table 5).
The boycott of the Los Angeles Olympic Games
did not seriously jeopardize the wrestling tourn-
aments. Actually, having new names on the Olympic
mat, from the pragmatic point of view, was a positive
development. In Greco-Roman wrestling the Italian

i j ¡980 t Л Otyrrtptc Согятпве

Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad Los Angeles 1984

Smith USA and Kim Gwang Choi PRK

V. Maenza (one of the lightest) had a brilliant start.
He was also one of the winners. On the Olympic mat
World champions have demonstrated very interest-
ing technical and tactical nuances. P. Passarelle
(Germany) was intrepid and agressive; A. Miyahara
(Japan) and I. Kim (Korea) demonstrated a "stacca-
to" approach to wrestling, performing clean, rapid
and unexpected attacks; V. Lisjak (Yugoslavia), V.
Andrei (Romania) and J. Salömaki (Finland) did not
make a single tactical error; I. Draica (Romania) was
calm, collected and unbreakable. Thanks to their
good physical fitness the Americans: J. Blatnick
and S. Fraser managed to make up for their lack of
skill in Greco-Roman wrestling.
In view of an outstanding number of World
champion titles this Olympic cycle marks the
beginning of a brilliant sports career for a number of
outstanding wrestlers. By merging enthusiasm and
talent, ingenuity and imagination, spectacular tech-
nique and desire to demonstrate beauty on the mat
the Beloglazov brothers, V. Yordanov, A. Fadzaev, A.
Khadartsev, the Schulz brothers and others, have
written the unforgetable pages of the history of
wrestling. In the heaviest categories the names of
new giants emerged: S. Khassimikov, A. Bisultanov,
D. Gobedishvili and B. Baumgartner. There was no
single viewer unimpressed by the efficient wrestling
of: S. Kornilayev and Mate (USSR), Asacura
(Japan), Kim (Korea), Campbell and Kemp (USA), S.
Chterev (Bulgaria), H. Reich and R. Gehrke (GDR),
M. Knosp (Germany), R. Cascaret (Cuba), etc.
In spite of the outstanding performance and
sportsmanship demonstrated at World championships
during this 8 year period, the level of competitors and
the results achieved at the Olympic tournaments
should not be underestimated. In this context let us
recall an oriental saying: "Those who dared to kill the
past with an arrow will have their future killed by gun."

CLASSIFICATION OF THE OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONS-1985-1988 OLYMPIC CYCLE

Greco-Roman wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
cat. 1985 1986 1987 1988
48 M. Allakhverdijev(USSR) M. Allakhverdijev(USSR) M. Allakhverdijev(USSR) V. Maenza (ITA)

52 J. Roeningen ( N O R ) S. Djundjaev(USSR) P. Rogue ( C U B ) J. Roeningen ( N O R )

57 S. B a l o v ( B U L ) E. I v a n o v ( B U L ) P. Mourier (FRA) A. S i k e ( H U N )

62 G. V a n g e l o v ( B U L ) K. Madsjidov(USSR) G. V a n g e l o v ( B U L ) K. M a d s j i d o v ( U S S R )

68 S. Negrisan ( R O M ) L. Djulfalakjan(USSR) A. A b a j e v ( U S S R ) L. Djulfalakjan (USSR)

74 M. Mamiashvilui (USSR) M. Mamiashvilui (USSR) J. Salomaki (FIN) Y.N. K i m ( K O R )

82 B. Daras (POL) T. Komaromi ( H U N ) T. Komaromi ( H U N ) M. Mamiashvilui (USSR)

B. Daras (POL)

90 M. H o u k ( U S A ) A. Malina (POL) V. Popov (USSR) A. K o m t j e v ( B U L )

100 A. D i m i t r o v ( B U L ) T. Gaspar (HUN) G. Deseshauri (USSR) A. Wronski (POL)

+ 100 I. Rostorotzky (USSR) T. Johansson (SWE) I. Rostorotzky (USSR) A. Karelin (USSR)

Free-style wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
cat. 1985 1986 1987 1988
48 С Hwan Kim (PRK) J.S. Li (PRK) J.S. Li (PRK) T. Kobayashi (JPN)

52 V. J o r d a n o v ( B U L ) Y.S. Kim (PRK) V. J o r d a n o v ( B U L ) M. Sato (JPN)

57 S. Beloglazov (USSR) S. Beloglazov (USSR) S. Beloglazov (USSR) S. Beloglazov (USSR)

62 V. A l e k s e j e v ( U S S R ) H. Isajev(USSR) J. Smith (USA) J. Smith (USA)

68 A. Fadzaev ( U S S R ) A. Fadzaev (USSR) A. Fadzaev (USSR) A. Fadzaev (USSR)

74 R. Cascaret ( C U B ) R. Cascaret (CUB) A. Varajev(USSR) K. Monday (USA)

82 M. Schultz (USA) V. Modosian (USSR) M. Schultz (USA) M.W. H a n ( K O R )

90 B. Scherr (USA) M. Khadartsev (USSR) M. Khadartsev (USSR) M. Khadartsev (USSR)

100 L. K h a b e l o v ( U S S R ) A. Khadartsev (USSR) L. K h a b e l o v ( U S S R ) V. Puscascu ( R O M )

+ 100 D. Gobedjisvili ( U S S R ) B. Baumgartner (USA) A. Khadartsev (USSR) D. Gobedjisvili (USSR)

110
 10. LOOKING FORWARD
At the threshold of the new century and the new
millennium the world seems to have overcome its
political nightmares and confrontations with the
help of industrial civilization and information. Scien-
tific achievements have by far exceeded all expecta-
tions, and even the imagination of Jule Verne. The
human mind has performed nuclear fission, disco-
vered new worlds on the microcosmic and macro-
cosmic level, Gagarine has made his trip to the
moon and A. Armstrong set his feet and walked on
the rocks of the Moon. Hopefully, humanity will opt
for sacred truce (ekachiria) and Emerson's dark for-
caste about the rule of objects overwhelming hu-
manity will prove too far-fetched. It is very inapropri-
ate to make forcasts, but, nevertheless, there are
some points of support which help us anticipate our
future. If the past is really the prophet of the future it
means that it is from our past that we should derive
strength and knowledge with the view of promoting
wrestling in the forthcoming century.

10.1. Balance, Imbalance and Progress

Social systems remain in balance so long as IMAGES OF THE WRESTLING COMPETITIONS

their constituent elements remain undisturbed. It is OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES SEOUL 1988.
well known that exogenous and endogenous factors
may disturb social balance. If the regulatory
mechanisms have the capacity to bridge the gaps
the system may still not only continue to operate, but
even attain a higher functional level.
This is the angle of vision we should adopt
when evaluating the development of wrestling in the
post-war period, the boycott of the Olympic Games
and the emergence of new states after 1989.
The Olympic Games in Seoul (1988) and the
spirit and atmosphere surrounding them were by far
ahead of political events. In spite of recent discrim-
ination against the host country the participants very
soon managed to overcome their former grudges.
As if the winds of change, soon to prevail on the in-
ternational scene, had already reached Seoul.
In Greco-Roman wrestling some changes had
taken place since Los Angeles: Among the champ-
ions of the Seoul Games only J. Salomaki was World
champion from 1987. V. Maenza joined the elite of
the century by taking his second Olympic gold. In
most weight categories new champions emerged
each year, except for M. Allakhverdiev (three times
champion of the USSR), J. Vanguelov (Bulgaria), M.
Mamiashvili (USSR), B. Daras (Poland), T Komaro-

111
mi (Hungary) and I. Rostorotsky (USSR), double
World champion each. For these eminent wrestlers
the Olympic top was impregnable. Only M. Mami-
ashvili took the gold. Actually, other World champ-
ions: J. Röningen (Norway), K. Madsydov and L.
Djulfalakian (USSR) also took the Olympic gold. A.
Sike (Hungary), Y.N. Kim (Korea), A. Komchev (Bul-
garia) and A. Wronski (Poland) were already World
champions. Karelin's very first actions on the mat
announced his brilliant international career. Before
him there was no such a strong and corpulent ath-
lete able to perform a 2 m. large amplitude throw by
lifting the opponent by cross body hold. As if llya
Muromets, the legendary Russian hero, had come
down from one of the Vasnetsov's epic paintings to
perform one of his exploits.
The names of the following World champions
deserve special mention for their outstanding per-
formance during this Olympic cycle: P. Mourier
(France), S. Balov, E. Ivanov and J. Vanguelov (Bul-
garia), S. Negrisan (Romania), A. Malina (Poland),
M. Houck (USA), T. Gaspar (Hungary). T. Johansson
(Sweden), and S. Djindiayev, A. Abayev, V. Popov
and G. Gedesiauri (USSR).

CLASSIFICATION OF THE OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONS-1989-1992 OLYMPIC CYCLE

Greco-Roman wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
cat. 1989 1990 1991 1992

48 O. Loutcherenko(USSR) O. Koutcherenko(USSR) D.Y. Gooun (KOR) 0 . Koutcherenko(USSR)

52 A. Ignatenko(USSR) A. Ignatenko(USSR) R Martinez (CUB) J. Roeningen ( N O R )

57 E. Ivanov ( B U L ) R. Yildiz (GER) R. Yildiz (GER) Han Bon An (KOR)

62 К. M a d s j i d o v ( U S S R ) M Olivera (CUB) S. M a r t i n o v ( U S S R ) M. Pirim (TUR)

68 С. Passarelli (GER) I. Dogutjiev(USSR) I. D o g u t j i e v ( U S S R ) A. R e p k a ( H U N )

74 D. Turlisjanov(USSR) M. Iskandarian (USSR) M. Iskandarian (USSR) M. Iskandarian (USSR)

82 T. Komaromi ( H U N ) R Farkas(HUN) P. F a r k a s ( H U N ) P. F a r k a s ( H U N )

90 M. Bullmann (GDR) M. Bullmann (GER) M. Bullmann (GER) M. Bullmann (GER)

100 G. Himmel (GER) S. Demiaskievitj (USSR) H. Milian (CUB) H. Milian ( C U B )

+ 100 A. Karelin (USSR) A. Karelin (USSR) A. Karelin (USSR) A. Karelin (USSR)

Free-style wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
cat. 1989 1990 1991 1992

48 J.S. Kim (KOR) A. Martinez (CUB) V. O r u d j i e v ( U S S R ) I. Kim (PRK)

52 V. J o r d a n o v ( B U L ) M. Torkan (IRI) L. Jones (USA) H.S. Li (PRK)

57 S.S. Kim (PRK) A. Puerto (CUB) S. Smal (USSR) A. Puerto ( C U B )

62 J. Smith (USA) J. Smith (USA) J. Smith (USA) J. Smith (USA)

68 B. B u d a j e v ( U S S R ) A. Fadzaev(USSR) A. Fadzaev(USSR) A. Fadzaev(CIS)

74 K. Monday (USA) R. S u k r a ( B U L ) A. K h a d e m ( I R I ) J.S. Park (KOR)

82 E. Djabrailov(USSR) J. L a h y n a ( T C H ) K. Jackson (USA) K.Jackson (USA)

90 M. K h a d a r t s e v ( U S S R ) M. Khadartsev(USSR) M. K h a d a r t s e v ( U S S R ) M. Khadartsev(CIS)

100 A. A t a v o v ( U S S R ) L. K h a b e l o v ( U S S R ) L. K h a b e l o v ( U S S R ) L. Khabelov (CIS)

+ 100 A. Soleimani (IRI) D. Gobedjisvili (USSR) A. Schroeder (GER) B. Baumgartner (USA)

112
Atañas Komchev BUL

113
114
115
116
 During the period under review Greco-Roman
wrestling was undergoing a gradual evolution. At
the World championship in Martigny, in 1989, only
two Olympic champions, Karelin and Madsjidov, got
to the top and won the World champion titles. The
following Olympic cycle is marked by the fall of many
Olympic gods. Karelin took all the gold medals he
could, in line with Aesop's saying that: "It is to the
lion that the lion's share belongs." Here are the
names of the Olympic champions: M. Bullman (Ger-
many) with three Olympic titles and M. Iskandarian
OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS
OF THE XXVth OLYMPIC GAMES BARCELONA 1992.
Barcelona'92
OQP
(USSR), P. Farkas (Hungary) and H. Miliari (Cuba)
with two World champion titles each. The outstand-
ing J. Röningen (Norway) took his second Olympic
gold. The performance of the Olympic champions:
O. Kutcherenko (USSR), double World champion,
Han-Bong An (Korea), M. Pirim (Turkey) and A. Rep-
ka (Hungary) was very impressive. D. Gooun
(Korea), K. Martinez and M. Oliveras (Cuba), R. Yil-
diz, S. Passarelli and G. Himmel (Germany), E.
Ivanov (Bulgaria), and A. Ignatenko, S. Martinov, K.
Madsyidov, D. Turlisianov and S. Demiaskievitch
(USSR) have reached the top of global wrestling.
It is not only the frequent changing of the
champion title holders that indicated an upsurge of
Greco-Roman wrestling, but also the number of
countries sharing the medals. In 1976, 11 countries
shared all the medals awarded, and only four of
them took the entire gold; in Moscow 9 countries
shared all the medals awarded, and 5 of them the
golds, and in Los Angeles 11 countries took all the
medals and 8 of them the golds. In Seoul and Barce-
lona the circle of the medal winning nations in-
creased: 13 countries shared the medals and 7 of
them took the golds.
In free-style wrestling only M. Schultz, Olympic
champion, also became double World champion. S.
Beloglazov, Olympic champion of the 1980 Games
won his third World champion title and in Moscow
took the Olympic gold by demonstrating an out-
standing wrestling performance based on lasting
values. D. Fadzaev took the gold in 1983 without a
single defeat. K. Choi Hwam (PRK) was twice first
on the world mat, but at the Olympic Games he was
defeated by T Kobayashi (Japan). The wrestlers
from the Far East: M. Sato (Japan), and M.V. Han
(Korea) got to the Olympic top. Passionate, risky and
creative wrestling has embellished the combat of
the Olympic champions: J. Smith and K. Modey
(USA), and K. Khadartsev and D. Gobedishvili
(USSR) all of them World champions. The victory of
V. Puscascu (Romania) reafirmed the importance of
good tactics in wrestling, otherwise an experienced,
but not one of the greatest masters of this sport. V.
Yordanov (Bulgaria) was crowned with two more
World champion titles, in addition to the unique ex-
perience and great aesthetic joy his wrestling
offered to the public. In spite of their World champ-
ion titles, L. Khalebov (USSR-three) and R. Cas-
carei (Cuba-two), outstanding wrestlers, did not find
themselves among the Olympic champions. Y. Kim
(PRK), H. Issaev, A. Varayev, V. Modosian, A.
Khadartsev and A. Alexeyev (USSR) and B. Scherr
and B. Baumgartner (USA) will be rememberd for
their attractive performance on the mat.
For free-style wrestling the 1988-1992 Olympic
cycle was the period of "gestation", during which
the masters of universal wrestling managed to
assert themselves on the mat, on the grounds of
their combined and diversified techniques, harmony
between the spirit and body and strong will. Double
Olympic champions: J. Smith, A. Fadzaev and M.
Khadartsev are also World champions. Thanks to I.
Kim and H. Li the wrestlers from North Korea
reached the top in the lightest weight categories. L.
Khabelov (USSR), A. Puerto (Cuba), K. Jackson
(USA) and J.S. Park (Korea) managed to defeat their
opponents of equal standing. With his second Olym-
117
A. Pirin TUR Attila Repka HUN

Iskandarian and Tracz

118
 J. Smith USA M. Iskandarian EUN

Vincenzo Maenza ITA

Kevin Jackson USA

119
pic gold В. Baumgartner ranked amongst the
greatest wrestlers of this time. V. Yordanov and R.
Sukra (Bulgaria), A. Martinez (Cuba), M. Torkan
(Iran), S. Kim (PRK), J. Lohuna (Czechoslovakia), L.
Jones and K. Monay (USA), V. Orudyev, S. Smal, B.
Budayev, J. Djabrayilov and D. Gobedshvili (USSR),
120
A. Reza and Soleimani (Iran) and A. Schröder (Ger-
many) will be remembered by their outstanding
wrestling techniques. All athletes have demonstrat-
ed wrestling of great beauty, as if endeavouring to
act according to the Roman saying that "it is of his
fate and not victory that one should be ashamed of.' '
 In the 1976-1992 Olympic cycle it was 11 coun-
tries that took all the medals, with the following
distribution of the golds: 1980-three countries, 1984
four countries and 1976 and 1992 five countries.
Upon disintegration of the socialist block, the
USSR in particular, fresh blood emerged on the in-
ternational mat endowed with enormous potentials.
Even if the number of medal sharing countries does
not considerably increase in the future, the names
of medal holders will undoubtedly change more
often.
The rating at the World championships in 1993
and 1995 fully endorse this statement.
In Greco-Roman wrestling two Olympic champ-
ions: M. Iskandarian and A. Karelin won the World
champion titles. Thanks to their superiority and at-
tractive style S. Martynov and A. Karelin triumphed at
three championships. In other weight categories M.
Ljungberg (Sweden), H. Yerlikaya (Turkey), Dutchiyev
(USSR), etc., got high on the rating list. Cuba, Germa-
ny, Poland, Ukraine, Korea and the USA, had excel-
lent wrestlers on their teams, who demonstrated a
distinguished performance on the mat.
In free-style wrestling a great number of Olym-
pic champions got to the top: A. Puerto, J. Park, K.
Jackson, L. Khabelovand B. Baumgartner. But, it is
only V. Yordanov (Bulgaria) who, thanks to his attrac-
tive and dynamic wrestling, managed to secure vic-
tory at all three championships. The wrestlers of
Cuba, Iran, Ukraine, Armenia, Germany and Mol-
davia also demonstrated great potentials in this
style.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONS-1993-1996 OLYMPIC CYCLE

Greco-Roman wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
cat. 1993 1994 1995 1996
48 W. Sanchez ( C U B ) W. Sanchez ( C U B ) K.H. Sim (KOR) K.H. Sim (KOR)

52 R. Martinez (CUB) A. Mkrtchyan (GER) S Daneliam ( R U S ) A. Nazaryan ( A R M )

57 A. Manukjan ( A R M ) I. Melnitchenko (KAZ) D. Hall (USA) Y. M e l n i c h e n k o ( K A Z )

62 S. M a r t i n o v ( R U S ) S. M a r t i n o v ( R U S ) S. M a r t i n o v ( R U S ) W. Zawadzki (POL)

68 I. Dogusjijev(RUS) I. Dogusjijev (RUS) R. A d j i ( U K R ) R. Wolny (POL)

74 N. A l m a n z a ( C U B ) M. Iskandarian (RUS) Y. Riemer (FRA) A. Aguilera ( C U B )

82 H. Yerlikaya (TUR) T. Zander (GER) H. Yerlikaya (TUR) H. Yerlikaya (TUR)

90 G. Koguashvili (RUS) G. Koguashvili (RUS) H. Baser (TUR) V. O l e y n y k ( U K R )

100 M. Ljungberg (SWE) A. Wronski (POL) M. Ljungberg (SWE) A. Wronski (POL)

+ 100 A. Karelin (RUS) A. Karelin (RUS) A. Karelin (RUS) A. Karelin ( R U S )

Free-style wrestling
Weight World championships World championships World championships The Olympic games
poids 1993 1994 1995 1996
48 A. Vila ( C U B ) A. Vila (CUB) V. O r u d j e v ( R U S ) I. Kim (PRK)

52 V. J o r d a n o v ( B U L ) V. J o r d a n o v ( B U L ) V. J o r d a n o v ( B U L ) V. J o r d a n o v ( B U L )

57 Terry Brands (USA) A. Puerto ( C U B ) Terry Brands (USA) K. Cross (USA)

62 Thomas Brands (USA) M. A z i z o v ( R U S ) E. T e d e e v ( U K R ) T. Brands (USA)

68 A. Faliam (IRI) A. Leipold (GER) A. Gevorkian ( A R M ) V. B o g i y e v ( R U S )

74 J.S. P a r k ( K O R ) T. Ceylan (TUR) B. S a i t i e v ( R U S ) B. S a i t i e v ( R U S )

82 S. O z t u r k ( T U R ) J. Luchman (MLD) K.Jackson (USA) K. Magomedov (RUS)

90 M. Douglas (USA) R. Khadem (IRI) R. Khadem (IRI) R. Khadem (IRI)

100 L. K h a b e l o v ( R U S ) A. S a b e j e w ( G E R ) K. Angle (USA) K. Angle (USA)

+ 100 B. Baumgartner (USA) M. Demir (TUR) B. Baumgartner (USA) M. Demir (TUR)

121
 A rather large variety of styles, a more or less
balanced level of sportsmanship, boldness in the ef-
fort to take the crown from the long-standing champ-
ions and an outstanding development of its tech-
niques and tactics, these are the main features of
wrestling fostered by its elite in the period under
review.

Melnichenko KAZ-Hall USA

Sim KOR-Pavlov BLR

Zawadsky POL-Maren CUB

Wolny POL-Jalouz FRA

AscuyCUB-Asell FIN

123
YerlikayaTUR-Wafflard BLR Oleynyk UKR-Hodzic BIH

Wronsky POL-
Naouar TUN

124
Alexander Karelin

125
 Wronsky POL

Kim PRK-Yefteni UKR Mamyrov KAZ-Jordanov BUL

126
Sissaouri CAN-Cross USA
Bogiyev RUS-Fadzaev UZB

m»

Brands USA-Smal BLR

127
 Khadem Azghadi IRI

Saityev RUS-Leipold GER

Angle USA-Jadidi I

P
Yang KOR-Magomedov RUS
Demir TUR-Medvedev BLR

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129
 10.2. The Stars of the XX-th Century

Sports as a universal activity through which in-
dividuals may see their dreams come true is also a
means to achieve immortality in this specific field.
Like Gilgamesh, the legendary hero, or Faust, the li-
teratury hero, a top wrestler also strives to achieve
immortality, although in a different way. As gods can
be found on both sides of the mat the road to
Olympic immortality is paved with hard work and a
successful and beneficial implementation of scienti-
fic achievements.
Classification of stars is a convention in any
field of human activity. It is very difficult to compare
exploits, styles and features from different historical
periods... Once upon a time Milo of Crotona won six
Olympic championships. Nowadays, a similar exp-
loit would simply be impossible. Alexander Medve-
dev, the wrestler with the very best performance in
modern times was: 3 times Olympic champion, / t i -
mes World and 3 times European champion. Carl
Westergren, A. Karelin and Iwar Johansson are also
triple Olympic champions. Double Olympic champ-
ions are much more numerous.

A. Medved, A. Karelin, I. Yarigin

> nu

130
 MANIFOLD CHAMPIONS IN WRESTLING
Name Country Olympic titles World champion titles

1. Johansson SWE 1932 (GR), 1932 LL), 1936

С Westergren SWE 1920, 1924, 1932 1922

A. Medved RUS 1964, 1968, 1972 1962, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971

A. Karelin RUS 1988, 1992, 1996 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995

G. Mehnert USA 1904, 1908

E. Vare FIN 1912, 1920
С. Johansson SWE 1912, 1920
К. Antilla FIN 1920 (LL), 1924 (GR) 1921, 1922

0. Friman FIN 1920, 1924 1921

K. Pihlajmäki FIN 1924, 1936

V. Kokkinen FIN 1928, 1932
R. Svensson SWE 1928, 1932
J. Richthoff SWE 1928, 1932
A. Gronberg SWE 1948, 1952 1950

M. Bayrak TUR 1956, 1960

M. Dagistanli TUR 1956, 1960 1954, 1957, 1959

B. Radev BUL 1964, 1968 1966

Y. Uetake JPN 1964, 1968

1. Kozma HUN 1964, 1968 1962, 1966, 1967

P. Kirov BUL 1968, 1972 1970, 1971, 1974

V. Resanzev RUS 1972, 1976 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975

1. Yarigin RUS 1972, 1976 1973

L. Tediashvili RUS 1972, 1976 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975

S. Andiev RUS 1976, 1980 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978

A. Koltchinski RUS 1976, 1980 1978

S. Beloglazov RUS 1980, 1988 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987

V. Maenza ITA 1984, 1988

B. Baumgartner USA 1984, 1992 1986, 1993, 1995

J. Roeningen NOR 1988, 1992 1985

A. Wronski POL 1988, 1996 1994

J. Smith USA 1988, 1992 1989, 1990, 1991

M. Khadartsev RUS 1988, 1992 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991

A. Fadzaev RUS 1988, 1992 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991

1. Kim PRK 1992,1996 1989

131
 I. Johansson SWE

132
133
 Kustaa Pihlajmäki FIN

134
Vöino Kokkinen FIN

135
 J. Mehnert USA

E. Vare FIN

К. Anttila FIN

Д. - S A

IllilJ

136
I. Kozma HUN
138
Rönningen NOR and T. Mkrtchyan EUN

V. Rezancev RUS (refree)

Khadartsev RUS-Douglas USA

139
 ІАД^ау
1 Щ| к ^ гааа^^^^мві
- íV

В. Baumgartner USA

п ИДИ д |
аЛЫл \ " • '7 Jfcrí. _:

R. Wronsky POL (blue)-Lishtvan BLR

ЖЯ
ші Іш ь»-е*
I. Kim PRK-Yefteni UKR

140
 Among the wrestlers with a single Olympic
champion title V. Jordanov (7 times World champ-
ion), A. Movahed (6 times World champion), A.
Ivanitski, Y. Takada, and V. Kuzmin (5 champion ti-
tles each), P. Pineguin (3 titles), Ch. Issaev, A. Ayik
and G.R. Takhti (2 titles each) deserve to be men-
tioned for their outstanding mastership in free-style
wrestling.
In Greco-Roman wrestling the names of the
following champions deserve to be mentioned:
N. Balbochin (5 World champion titles), R. Rura
(4 titles), A. Kolessov, I. Polyak and M. Bullman
(3 titles each).
Although the most prominent occasion for
evaluating sports mastership, the Olympic Games
are not the only yardsitck in sportmanship. There
are so many outstanding wrestlers, world and con-
tinental champions, who never took one of the
Olympic medals, to mention only a few: A. Aliev, A.
Tomov, V. Igumenov (5 titles each), N. Dinev, V. Zub-
kov, M. Mehdizadeh, H. Issaev, A. Alakverdiev (3 ti-
tles each), etc.
Wrestling on the global level actually derives its
driving force from an inexaustible source of creative
athletes and their fresh blood, who by developing its
new nuances and new technical and tactical models
on the mat demonstrate attractive wrestling. Here
are some names of the most talented masters of
creative wrestling: Friman, Freij, Balavadze,
Dagistanli, Yordanov, the Beloglazov brothers,
Smith, Fadzaev, Seger, Habibi, Szilvasi, Sasahara,
Medved, Kartozia, Dietrich, Radev, Kirov, Karelin
and many others.
10.3. Modern Spirit of Competition
There is no other human society in the world
where the spirit of competition (agonism) was so
pronounced and overwhelming as in Ancient
Greece. Actually, to this day, wrestling has remained
one of the rare sports still encompassing the Hellen-
ic ideals of agonism, harmony, virility and dignity in
their original meaning.
The calender of competitions is the most reli-
able source of the upsurge in the development of
It is a sad fact that very often the coaches, actu-
ally the genuine creators and master minds of sports
exploits, remain hidden in the shadows of top wres-
tlers and their glory, while behind the scene their
role is noble and of crucial importance. It is the
coach who discovers new talents, it is the coach who
provides the trainees physical, intellectual, ethic
and aesthetic education adapted to their respective
genetic features. Top wrestlers require an intelligent,
highly educated, competent, self-confident coach
endowed with pedagogical intuition and sharp per-
ception. All these qualities are not visible on the
mat. There is a great number of outstanding
coaches praticing their profession all over the world,
to mention only some of them from the post war
generation: Matura, Katulin, Atik, Földeak,
Zimakuridze, Corneanu, Jovanovic...
Researchers are another group of important
people working in the background, who remain un
seen. Development of modern wrestling would not
be possible without their scientific achievements
used in designing the training, evaluating the effects
of physical training and different methods of work on
the human body, in the development of motor skils,
in the development of bio-mechanics of holds, in
psychological preparation, in the analysis of tech-
nical and tactical performance, etc. Wrestling relies
on the work of outstanding scientific teams. It is
thanks to their achievements that coaches are in a
position to develop the professional competence re-
quired for the education of talented wrestlers, and
their preparation for outstanding technical and
tactical performance on the mat.
wrestling. It is thanks to FILA that an annual calen-
dar is at present busier than it used to be for the en-
tire decade of 1950-1960. Now, in addition to the
Olympic Games the wrestlers have the opportunity
to size up their forces in both wrestling styles and in
different age groups at the world, continental and
regional championships, international tournaments
or other numerous competitions organized by
various sponsors.
141
 Mario Moschi: Young Wrestler (1939)

142
 Wrestling for Children

Wrestling for Children

143
 Thousands of spectators at the World Championship in Sofia ( 1963)

Award to the public

144
145
 Women's wrestling

146
 Women's wrestling
All children are great fans of wrestling and
adore it as a sport. In Ancient Greece there was a
special Olympic programme for children in three
disciplines: wrestling, pancratium and penthatlon.
On the other hand, it is in the rural areas where tradi-
tional wrestling is fostered, that many outstanding
wrestlers have made their first steps towards the in-
ternational mat, like: Akbas, Dagistanly, Ayik, Takhti,
Habibi, Tediashvilli, Andiev, Balavadze, Akhmedov,
Gardjev, etc. It was a very bright idea to organize
world and later continental championships for
juniors of different age group. These events have at-
tracted a number of young athletes to wrestling.
Special sports centres provide training for high per-
formance. It is at junior championships that many ta-
lents have been discovered, including: Andersson,
Mamiashvilli, Tzenov, Karelin, Beloglazov, S. An-
diev, V. Yordanov, Fadzaev, Khabelov-actually
almost the whole elite in wrestling.
Women's wrestling, also part of the competition
programmes, has nothing to do with matriarchate, or
the mythological wrestling in Atlanta and Crete. It is
part of women's emancipation, an expression of
their social equality and a means to achieve per-
sonal beauty and overall development. There is
nothing more beautiful than a feminine body,
healthy and strong, embodied in the works of art
like: Venus of Milo, Venus of Cyrene, Nioble, or the
Venus by Botticceli, the Dawn, by Michelangeli,
Ceres by Rubens, the heroines of Delacroix and Si-
queiros, even les Baigneuse by Renoir. Women's
wrestling first started in the Scandinavian countries
and France. At first both styles were fostered and
had some success, but after long discussions a
compromise was reached to develop a single style
for women. FILA has set up a special Committee for
Women's Wrestling, headed by Michel Dusson
(1984). The first championship in Women's
Wrestling took place in Oslo, in 1987.
FILA has recognized traditional wrestling as
one of its official styles, not only out of respect for its
cultural values, but primarily because its traditional
forms may be a precious source of new wealth in
modern wrestling. We have already mentioned that
before embarking on the international mat, many
outstanding wrestlers began by practicing tradition-
al wrestling. It is worth recalling that all over the
world hundreds of thousands of competitions in
147
traditional (folklore) wrestling take place before mil-
lions of spectators. Still now many African countries
(Senegal, Cameroon, Kenya, etc) organize competi-
tions in traditional wrestling.
The active career of a wrestler is a long one.
Milo participated in 7 Olympic Games, which means
that he was over 45 and still an active competitor.
Ivan Paddubny became champion after the age of
50 and, Kotkas, Masur and Mekokishvilli after the
age of 40. Anderberg, Freij, Polyak, Fabra, Martines-
cu and Baumgartner are also known for their long
sports careers. It is worth mentioning the case of V.
Yordanov who at the age of 37 became champion for
the 7-th time. He is still active and takes part in com-
10.4. Strategy and Pragmatism
Carrying out its activities FILA has also had to
cope with the difficulties that as a rule crop up when
it comes to making compromises between the tradi-
tion and future. In 1972 the new President, Mr. Milan
Ercegan, launched a development strategy of
wrestling on the global level. Rather a new philo-
sophy, this strategy was based on a global as well as
pragmatic approach.
According to the Programme submitted to the
Congress, President Ercegan has initiated rational
reforms in FILA's organization and style of work,
with special emphasis on democratization of its ac-
tivities, implementation of the statutes and improv-
ement of human relations. This method of work has
encouraged numerous specialists to mobilize all
their creative potentials and embark on projects and
tasks of national and international interest.
Reorganization of FILA was undertaken with
the view of enhancing its efficiency, which was
achieved through structural modifications. Most of
the reorganized, or newly set up committees, com-
missions, and departments of ad hoc bodies have
become much more efficient in their work. Their ex-
cellent concrete results prove that good initiative
and know-how are much more effective than the in-
tuitive approach prevailing in the past.
The Federation grounds its work on scientific
methods. In addition to that, the development strate-
gy of wrestling is also based on scientific forcast and
programmes drafted accordingly. The FILA GOLD-
EN PLAN launched by President Ercegan, is a far
reaching project. This long term programme of tech-
nical assistance to the developing countries is the
148
petitions. He has not even changed his weight
category (52 kg).
Championships for Veterans have been or-
ganized since 1992 (Guapi, Colombia). The number
of competitors and the number of participating
countries has been increasing from one year to the
next. Some of the participants want to preserve their
physical and mental vitality, others endeavour to at-
tain the results which they missed in their youth;
former outstanding champions use this opportunity
to enjoy in a new glory. John E. Dupont is the master
brain and sponsor of these championships and
Adolf Seger, five times World champion, is the best
participant in these competitions.
very first of this nature initiated by an international
sports organization, which means that FILA's role is
that of a trend setter in this regard. Within this
Programme over 600 workshops for coaches have
been organized and a considerable number of mats
distributed to national federations, in addition to a
great number of books, magazines, video cassettes
and other pedagogical tools made available free of
charge. The High School of Wrestling was opened in
1973 and the Olympic Academy in 1995, in Moscow.
All these activities have given a great impetus to the
development of wrestling. In 1966 FILA had 72 af-
filiated member-national wrestling federations. In
1988 this number went up to 108 and in 1992 to 130.
Nowadays FILA has 140 affiliated members. FILA
recognizes the following forms of wrestling: Greco-
Roman, free-style, women's wrestling, veterans'
wrestling and traditional wrestling. It was, therefore,
logical for FILA to change its title in 1994: Fédéra-
tion Internationale de Lutte Associées (International
Federation of Associated Wrestling).
In the spirit of the Olympic and Ancient tradition
and inspired by Pindar's Odes, wrestling also got its
Hymn entitled "PALESTRIADE" (composer: Tont-
cho Russev, lirics by Liliana Kaneva).
The Charter on the Development of Wrestling
Till the Year 2000 and other important documents, in
addition to identifying new development trends in
modern sports, also anticipate its prospects in the
XXI-st century. The CHARTER is based on a theo-
retical and sociological evolution of human society
including sports in general, and wrestling in partic-
ular, on the global level, with the view of providing
new guidelines and methods of work conducive to officiating, 46 officials have been awarded THE
the future development of wrestling. Practical FILA GOLD WHISTLE. Actually, all the steps taken
results followed very soon, evident in the promotion in this regard are aimed at bringing the level of
of wrestling on the global level, with special empha- officiating into line with the quality of wrestling.
sis on active and attractive wrestling and top Two important events: the Days of the Olympic
mastery. Ideals (1994) and 100 Years of Olympic Wrestling
The Rules of Wrestling are still one of the hot- (1996) have greatly contributed to the promotion of
test topics on FILA's agenda. The world is changing wrestling. A part of these festivities was devoted to
and sports has to follow suit, The German peda- the history of wrestling and its future prospects.
gogue Diesterweg appropriately summarized the The same spirit prevailed at the FILA Olympic
reality by saying: "Nothing is constant, except Congress in Atlanta (1996). In support of this state-
change." The modern man, always in a hurry and ment let me recall a passage from President Erce-
overwhelmed by hundreds of different commit- gan's report addressed to the Congress : "It is by vir-
ments, simply has no time to watch endless tue of one hundred years of its dignified life, and
matches in which actually nothing happens. All even more important than that, by virtue of the mil-
sports are using their very best efforts to establish lenia long existence of wrestling as a social activity
an aesthetic contact with the public and thus secure and an integral part of human culture and civiliza-
a place on TV. Sports performances are, therefore, tion that we must not surrender to its obsolete forms.
becoming increasingly risky, beautiful and attrac- On the contrary, It is our imperative duty to create a
tive. This means that wrestling has to compete keen- wrestling of the future."
ly with other sports from the selection of the athletes At present the Bureau of FILA, its supreme
up to its participation in the TV programme. History body, consists of:
teaches us that since wrestling is not in a position to
change the surrounding circumstances, it can se- President: Mr. Milan Ercegan
cure its survival only by changing itself. The amend-
ments to the Rules mainly refer to the duration of the Vice-presidents: Messers: Mihaly Biro,
match and competitions, evaluation of the holds, the Raphy Martinetti,
ways of achieving victory, the activity of the competi- Raïko Petrov,
tors on the mat, wrestling "par-terre", restriction of Matteo Pellicone and
dangerous holds, etc. FILA is using its very best ef- Kemal Octay
forts to bring wide acceptance to the philosophy of
attractive, total, universal, creative and risky Secretary
wrestling developed to the level of virtuosity. A com- General: Mr. Michel Dusson
parative analysis of the past and present combats
has established a considerable increase in the num- Members: Messers: Adel Mustafa,
ber of holds performed, and more beauty and ten- Ivan Yarigin,
sion on the mat. Although not always for the best, Gustavo Rolle Fernandez,
changes have always paved the way for progress. Mario Saletnig,
Already four centuries ago Miguel de Cervantes ex- Tomiyaki Fukada,
pressed the same idea in the following manner: Per Swensson,
"It's better on the raod, then in the inn." Mohammed Tavakol,
An increased sports mastership of the competi- Teodoros Hamkos and
tors and a greater complexity of combats have also Larry Sciaccetano
called for a different approach to officiating. Profes-
sionalism had to replace amateurism. Therefore, a Coopted
system of categories has been introduced forjudges members: Messers: Oswaldo Johnston,
and referees, which also has entailed re-classifica- Chang Kew Kim,
tion, requirements for additional qualifications, age Tzeno Tzenev and
limit, etc. Within the efforts to improve the quality of Mohammed Ibnu Zahir.

149
 The FILA Bureau (1995): Sitting: M. Biro, M. Dusson, M. Ercegan and R. Martinetti; Standing: M. Pellicone, O. Johnston,
G. Rolle, A. Novikov, H. Schwindling, R. Petrov, K. Oktay, M.l. Zahir, P. Svensson, B. Carayannis, M. Saletnig, M. Tavakol,
A. Mustafa and Chang Kew Kim

Wrestling has always been one of the crucial
sports of the Olympic programme, and its main pillar.
Also, the I.O.C. and its President, Mr. Juan Antonio
Samaranch, have always been keenly interested
in wrestling, which they have proven by providing sup-
port to: the New Olympic Charter, the Olympic Soli-
darity Programme and Sports for All, all of which pave
the way to the development of sports in the forthcom-
ing century. Also, the role of mass media is never too
emphasized, because it is thanks to their omni-
potence and omnipresence that the idea of Olympism
has succeeded in transforming the whole world into a
huge Olympic stadium, with all citizens participating
in the Games. Wrestling is part of that universe.
In the next century amateur wrestling will be
even more closely linked to the social, physical, psy-
chological and specific requirements of the in-
dividual. The world will remember Hegel who said:
"It is the wrestlers who have chiseled the sculptures
with their own bodies." The world will also remem-
ber Handel's music inspired by Theseus, Samson
and Hercules, or martial themes resounding in the
music of Haydn, Gluck, Camille Saint-Saens,
Wagner, Borodine... Finally, the world will be able to
understand, like Romain Rolland did, the nature of
the drama underlying the combat between Jacob
and the Angel as reflected in Beethoven's IX-the
Symphony-a relentless tension, an exasperate
fight, gasping breath of a man who does not give
up... followed by another theme, the elegy of a losing
fighter, his maddening exasperation, his modulated
wailing, the pounding of his heart, his fervant desire
to disentangle himself and finally his failure and...
collapse... But, those who have fallen down do get
up. Wrestling has recovered and, firm on its feet, is
heading forward. Global wrestling should also bring
to the mat the rhythms and tempests of a symphonic
drama.

150
 11. THESE IMPORTANT PERSONS HAVE
ATTENDED WRESTLING EVENTS

A Glance at the future Juan Antonio Samaranch

 John Paul II receives
the Polish wrestlers (1994)

Mr. Gabor Kuncze,

nterior Minister of Hungary,
Mr. Milan Ercegan
President of FILA (1995)

152
His Majesty Carl XVI. Gustav, King of Sweeden, Mr. Milan Ercegan
(1993 World Championship in Stockholm) Ms. Tansu Ciller, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey,
Mr. Milan Ercegan (1994) World Championship in Istanbul

153
 M. Fidel Ramos President of Philippin Republic and M. Ercegan

Abraham Lincoln was the wrestling champion of his county, and is considered the
roughest and toughest of the wrestling U.S. Presidents (courtesy of National Wrestling
Hall of Fame).

154
 MSki

JL Î À
President of IRI Rafsanjani

President of Republic Turkey M. Demirel

DEVI ET BAKANIMIZ 0/DTIN SUKRU E

S M R t b i ARIMI/ ADIflATFSFKKURIF

155
12 . ANNEXS NUMBER OF MEDALS BY COUNTRY IN OLYMPIC GAMES
Country Gold Silver Bronze Total

AZERBAÏDJAN 1 1

AUSTRALIA 1 2 3

AUSTRIA 3 2 5

GERMANY 6 19 14 39

ARMENIA 1 1 2

BELGIUM 3 1 4

BELORUSIA 3 1 4

BULGARIA 15 29 16 60

CANADA 5 5 10

CHINA 2 2

CUBA 3 1 4 8

DENMARK 2 3 6 11

EGYPT 1 2 2 5

ESTONIA 5 1 4 10

FINLAND 27 26 30 8(

FRANCE 3 4 6 13

GREAT BRITAIN 2 4 9 15

GREECE 1 3 4 8

GRUZIA 1 1

HUNGARY 18 13 18 49

INDIA 1 1

IRAN 4 10 12 26

IRELAND 1 1 2

ITALY 6 4 8 18

JAPAN 20 14 10 44

KAZAHSTAN 1 1 2

KOREA 8 8 12 28

LATVIA 1 1

LEBANON 1 2 3

MEXICO 1 1

MOLDOVA 1 1

MONGOLIA 4 4 8

NORWAY 2 2 1 5

PAKISTAN 1 1

POLAND 5 9 9 23

PEOPLE REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3 2 2 7

GERMANY DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC 2 4 3 9

RUMANIA 6 8 17 31

RUSSIA 4 4 2 10

USA 46 37 24 107

SOVIET UNION 68 35 28 131

SYRIA 1 1

SWEDEN 28 25 28 80

SWITZERLAND 4 4 6 14

TURKEY 26 15 9 50

CZECHOSLOVAKIA 1 7 7 15

UKRAINA 1 3 4

YUGOSLAVIA 4 6 6 16

43 COUNTRY 324 324 324 972

156
 Fila Congresses

1912 Stockholm
l-st 1913 Berlin
ll-nd 1920 Antwerpen
lll-rd 1922 Stockholm
IV-th 1924 Paris
V-th 1926 Riga
Vl-th 1928 Amsterdam
Vll-th 1930 Stockholm
Vlll-th 1932 Los Angeles
IX-th 1934 Rome
X-th 1936 Berlin
Xl-th 1938 Tallin
Xll-th 1946 Stockholm
Xlll-th 1948 London
XIV-th 1950 Stockholm
XV-th 1952 Helsinki
XVI-th 1954 Tokyo
XVII-th 1956 Melbourne
XVIII-th 1958 Budapest
XIX-th 1960 Rome
XX-th 1962 Toledo
XXI-th 1964 Tokyo
XXII-th 1966 Toledo
XXIII-th 1968 Mexico
XXIV-th 1970 Edmonton
XXV-th 1972 München
XXVI-th 1974 Istanbul
XXVII-th 1976 Montreal
XXVIII-th 1978 Mexico
XXIX-th 1980 Moscou
XXX-th 1982 Edmonton
XXXI-th 1984 Jönköping
XXXII-th 1986 Budapest
XXXIII-th 1987 Clermont-Ferrand
XXXIV-th 1988 Seoul
XXXV-th 1990 Rome
XXXVI-th 1992 Barcelone
XXXVII-th 1994 Istanbul
XXXVII-th 1996 Atlanta
World Championships - Greco-Roman wrestling World championships - Free-style wrestling

AUT 1-st 1951-Helsinki FIN

1-st 1904-Vienna
GER 2-nd 1954-Tokio JPN
2-nd 1905-Berlin
1907-Frankfurt GER 3-rd 1957-lstanbul TUR
3-rd
1908-Vienna AUT 4-th 1959-Teheran IRI
4-th
AUT 5-th 1961-Yokohama JPN
5-th 1909-Vienna
1910-Dusseldorf GER 6-th 1962-Toledo USA
6-th
FIN 7-th 1963-Sofia BUL
7-th 1911-Helsinki
GER 8-th 1965-Manchester GBR
8-th 1913-Breslau
1920-Vienna AUT 9-th 1966-Toledo USA
9-th
1921-Helsinki FIN 10-th 1967-New Delhi IND
10-th
1922-Stockholm SWE 11-th 1969-Mardel Plata ARG
11-th
1950-Stockholm SWE 12-th 1970-Edmonton CAN
12-th
1953-Naples ITA 13-th 1971-Sofia BUL
13-th
1955-Karlsruhe GER 14-th 1973-Teheran IRI
14-th
1958-Budapest HUN 15-th 1974-lstanbul TUR
15-th
1961-Yokohama JPN 16-th 1975-Minsk URS
16-th
1962-Toledo USA 17-th 1977-Lausanne SUI
17-th
1963-Helsinborg SWE 18-th 1978-Mexico МЕХ
18-th
1965-Tampere FIN 19-th 1979-San Diego USA
19-th
1966-Toledo USA 20-th 1981-Skopje YUG
20-th
1967-Bucarest ROM 21-th 1982-Edmonton CAN
21-th
1969-Mardel Plata ARG 22-th 1983-Kiev URS
22-th
1970-Edmonton CAN 23-th 1985-Budapest HUN
23-th
1971-Sofia BUL 24-th 1986-Budapest HUN
24-th
1973-Teheran IRI 25-th 1987-Clermont Ferrand FRA
25-th
1974-Katovice POL 26-th 1989-Martigny SUI
26-th
1975-Minsk URS 27-th 1990-Tokyo JPN
27-th
1977-Göteborg SWE 28-th 1991-Varna BUL
28-th
1978-Mexico МЕХ 29-th 1993-Toronto CAN
29-th
1979-San Diego USA 30-th 1994-lstanbul TUR
30-th
NOR 31-th 1995-Atlanta USA
31-th 1981-Oslo
32-th 1982-Katovice POL
33-th 1983-Kiev URS
34-th 1985-Kolbotn NOR
35-th 1986-Budapest HUN
36-th 1987-Clermot Ferrand FRA
37-th 1989-Martigny SUI
38-th 1990-Rome ITA
39-th 1992-Varna BUL
40-th 1993-Stockholm SWE
41-th 1994-Tampere FIN
42-th 1995-Prague CZE

158
 European Championships - European championships -
Greco-Roman wrestling Free-style wrestling

1-st 1898-Vienna AUT 1-st 1929-Paris FRA

2-nd 1902-Haag HOL 2-nd 1930-Bruxelles BEL
3-rd 1903-Rotterdam HOL 3-rd 1931-Budapest HUN
4-th 1904-Amsterdam HOL 4-th 1933-Paris FRA
5-th 1905-Amsterdam HOL 5-th 1934-Stockholm SWE
6-th 1906-Haag HOL 6-th 1935-Bruxelles BEL
7-th 1907-Copenhague DEN 7-th 1937-Munich GER
8-th 1909-Malmö SWE 8-th 1946-Stockholm SWE
9-th 1910-Budapest HUN 9-th 1949-lstanbul TUR
10-th 1911-Budapest HUN 10-th 1966-Karlsruhe GER
11-th 1912-Budapest HUN 11-th 1967-lstanbul TUR
12-th 1913-Budapest HUN 12-th 1968-Skopje YUG
13-th 1914-Vienna AUT 13-th 1969-Sofia BUL
14-th 1921-Offenbach GER 14-th 1970-Berlin RDA
15-th 1924-Neunkirchen GER 15-th 1972-Katowice POL
16-th 1925-Milan ITA 16-th 1973-Lausanne SUI
17-th 1926-Riga LAT 17-th 1974-Madrid ESP
18-th 1927-Budapest HUN 18-th 1975-Ludwigshafen RDA
19-th 1929-Dortmund GER 19-th 1976-Leningrade URS
20-th 1930-Stockholm SWE 20-th 1977-Bursa TUR
21-th 1931-Prague CZE 21-th 1978-Sofia BUL
22-th 1933-Helsinki FIN 22-th 1979-Bucarest ROM
23-th 1934-Rome ITA 23-th 1980-Prievidza CZE
24-th 1935-Copenhague DEN 24-th 1981-Lodz POL
25-th 1937-Paris FRA 25-th 1982-Varna BUL
26-th 1938-Tallin EST 26-th 1983-Budapest HUN
27-th 1939-Oslo NOR 27-th 1984-Jönköping SWE
28-th 1947-Prague CZE 28-th 1985-Leipzig POL
29-th 1966-Essen GER 29-th 1986-Pireus GRE
30-th 1967-Minsk URS 30-th 1987-V. Tarnovo BUL
31-th 1968-Vasteras SWE 31-th 1988-Manchester GBR
32-th 1969-Modena ITA 32-th 1989-Ankara TUR
33-th 1970-Berlin RDA 33-th 1990-Poznan POL
34-th 1972-Katowice POL 34-th 1991-Stuttgart GER
35-th 1973-Helsinki FIN 35-th 1992-Kaposvar HUN
36-th 1974-Madrid ESP 36t-h 1993-lstanbul TUR
37-th 1975-Ludwigshafen RDA 37-th 1994-Rome ITA
38-th 1976-Leningrade URS 38-th 1995-Fribourg SUI
39-th 1977-Bursa TUR 39-th 1996-Budapest HUN
40-th 1978-Oslo NOR
41-th 1979-Bucarest ROM
42-th 1980-Prievidza CZE
43-th 1981-Göteborg SWE
44-th 1982-Varna BUL
45-th 1983-Budapest HUN
46-th 1984-Jönköping SWE
47-th 1985-Leipzig RDA
48-th 1986-Athen GRE
49-th 1987-Tampere FIN
50-th 1988-Kolbotn NOR
51-th 1989-Oolu FIN
52-th 1990-Poznan POL
53-th 1991-Aschaffenburg GER
54-th 1992-Coppenhagen DEN
55-th 1993-lstanbul TUR
56-th 1994-Athen GRE
57-th 1995-Besancon FRA
58-th 1996-Budapest HUN
 African Championships - Senior Asian Championships - Senior

1969-Casablanca MAR 1-st 1979-Jullundeer IND FS

1-st
1971-Alexandrie EGY 2-nd 1983-Lahore PAK FS
2-nd
1974-Alger ALG -Teheran IRI GR
3-rd
1979-Alexandrie EGY 3-th 1985-Teheran IRI FS-GR
4-th
1981-Tunis TUN 4-th 1987-Pune IND FS-GR
5-th
1982-Casablanca MAR 5-th 1988-lslamabad PAK FS
6-th
1984-Cair EGY 6-th 1989-Oharai JPN FS-GR
7-th
1985-Casablanca MAR 7-th 1991-New Delhi IND FS
8-th
1986-Alexandrie EGY -Teheran IRI GR
9-th
1988-Tunis TUN 8-th 1992-Teheran IRI FS-GR
10-th
11-th 1989-Cair EGY 9-th 1993-Hiroshima JPN GR
1990-Cassablanca MAR -Ulan-Bator MGL FS
12-th
1992-Safi MAR 10-th 1995-Manila PHI FS
13-th
1993-Johannesburg RSA 11-th 1996-Xioshan CHI GR-FS
14-th
15-th 1994-Cair EGY
16-th 1996-Tunis TUN

Oceania Championships - Senior Panamerican Championships - Senior

SAM FS 1-st 1973-Mexico City МЕХ

1-st 1984-Brisbane
1986-Aucland NZL FS 2-nd 1977-Mexico City МЕХ
2-nd
1988-Melbourne AUS FS 3-rd 1980-Lincoln USA
3-th
NZL FS 4-th 1981-Mexico City МЕХ
4-th 1990-Aucland
1992-Apia WSA FS 5-th 1985-Valencia VEN
5-th
AUS FS 6-th 1986-Colorado Springs USA
6-th 1995-Melboume
1996-Victoria 7-th 1987-lndianapolis USA
7-th
Footscray AUS FS 8-th 1988-Villa Clara CUB
9-th 1989-Colorado Springs USA
10-th 1990-Colorado Springs USA
11-th 1991-Havana CUB
12-th 1992-London CAN
13-th 1993-Caracas VEN
14-th 1994-Mexico City МЕХ
15-th 1996-Call COL
 Si

saw wi
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