Presentación Esencial

GLIMA

ICELANDIC SPORT

GLIMA

Glima is the Icelandic national style of traditional wrestling.

Glima remains, as it has always been, a gentlemen's sport and friendly recreation

Glima is a very old combative style. Some evidence of the glima dates back to the 12th century, but some descriptions of fighting in the Icelandic sagas and the Prose Edda make it reasonable to believe that the system is much earlier. The basis of the system is the eight main bragd (techniques), which form the basic training for approximately 50 ways of executing a throw or takedown.

The word glima is often translated as “the game of joy.” It may be related to the word glimmer (English)/glimma (Swedish)/glimre (Danish)/glimt (Norwegian), meaning a flash or sudden reflection of light. In the latter case, the name would refer to the very fast techniques of this fighting style. Around the glima there is a code of honor called Drängskap that calls for fair play, respect and care for the safety of training partners.

TYPE OF FIGHT

There are four points that distinguish it from other forms of fighting: - Wrestlers must always remain upright. - The wrestlers will walk clockwise around the opponent (it seems similar to a waltz). This is to create opportunities for attack and defense, and prevent passivity. - Falling on your opponent or pushing them down with brute force is not allowed, as it is not considered sporting. - Fighters are supposed to look over their opponent's shoulders as much as possible because it is considered appropriate to fight by touch and feel better than sight.