Wrestling is without a doubt one of humanity’s most ancient games. In the past it was used in order to find out who had the courage, ability, strenght and cleverness of a leader. Even when it became preparatory to war or a form of physical exercise, fighters and winners equally received honour and glory.
Historical Background
Wrestling has been practised ever since the beginning of time, but it was in Ancient Greece that it reached the highest level of fame and perfection. Kings, generals, philosophers, writers and artists considered it a science and art, essential in shaping both body and character. No coincidence that its invention was attributed to gods or heroes: Athena and Hermes, Hercules and Theseus. According to the historian Plutarch of Chaeronea, fighting (pale, in Greek) was the oldest sport, giving its name to “palestra”, the place where athletes go training. According to Xenophon of Athens, a disciple of Socrates, the Greeks had developed their proverbial cleverness by means of constant fighting.
There are specialties of struggle that are currently considered Olympic sports , but at the same time in Europe there is currently a vast movement of wrestlers practising fighting styles typical of a territory’s tradition. It is a very heterogeneous community of wrestlers, with a varying number of participants but also well structured. The most important are those of Brittany, Switzerland, Scotland, Greece, Turkey, various regions of Spain, Austria and many other regions of Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
In Italy there are two important community of wrestlers , one practicing the Sardinian struggle " S'Istrumpa " handed down from generation to generation for thousands of years , in particular from the pastoral environment . Bronzes found in Uta and Padria suggest that " S'Istrumpa " has deep roots in the Nuragic civilization. The other important Italian community is located in South Tyrol and practices " Ranggeln " of Celtic origin , also popular in the valleys of the Tyrol and very similar to the Swiss fight "Schwingen".
These varieties of fight are compatible enough to allow competitions and tournaments between them, and form a varied and homogeneous group of communities, which is proud of their activities.
Game Communities
S'istrumpa, Ollolai (Nuoro), Sardegna
Ranggeln, Barbiano (Bolzano), Alto Adige