According to the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
(FILA), Greco-Roman wrestling is one of the four main forms of amateur
competitive wrestling practiced internationally today, the other three being
Judo wrestling, Freestyle wrestling and Sambo wrestling.
Popularly referred to simply as 'Greco,' this style of wrestling forbids
attacks below the waist. As a result, throws are encouraged as the opponent
cannot avoid being thrown by simply hooking or grabbing his opponent's leg.
Famous practitioners include the Russian Alexander Karelin and the
American Rulon Gardner; a popular story holds that Abraham Lincoln was in a
Greco match when he was informed that he had been elected President of the
United States.
Unlike Freestyle wrestling, a Greco-Roman practitioner cannot attack his
opponent’s legs or use his legs in active defense. Tripping, tackling, and
using the legs to secure a hold are not permitted. Greco-Roman wrestlers
begin their bout in a standing position, and attempt to either throw their
opponent to the mat or to use holds to drop them to the mat.
This one rule difference leads to a unique style of wrestling. Since a
wrestler does not have to defend against leg attacks, they can stand more
upright and battle in close to try to secure locks. This close in battle for
locks and clinches make wrestling Greco very physically demanding and
exhausting.
But Greco is not just about the close in battle. If the wrestler gets a
good lock, his opponent cannot use his legs to counter the following move
and fans are many times treated to a spectacular throw.
In par terre, or wrestling on the mat, a Greco wrestler can attempt to
lift his opponent and throw him, a feat of incredible strength and
technique. While lifts are countered in freestyle by grabbing the attacking
wrestler’s leg, in Greco, the defensive guy cannot do this.
Some people think Greco is only half wrestling since they do not attack
the legs or defend using the legs. There is an element of truth to this and
leg attackers do tend to dominate over a pure Greco style.
While Greco cannot win the battle when it comes to practicality, it does
have other assets. It is more artistic with its throws and lifts and has
great lines and balance visually. Greco also shows off the physiques of the
wrestlers better than other styles, for example freestyle and folkstyle, in
which wrestlers are bent over in a leg attack and counterattack battle.
So Greco wins the art battle. For those who get to see good Greco
wrestlers successfully complete their techniques and throws, they become
instant fans. Where a typical freestyle match is made up of singles and
doubles, Greco is made up of home runs and grand slams.
However, if the Greco wrestlers cannot successfully execute throws and
lifts, then Greco is a rather boring style of wrestling. Since most United
States wrestlers do not practice Greco, most fans, wrestlers, and coaches
never get to see the best Greco has to offer. From their limited
perspective, they think Greco is an inferior style both in form and
function.
Also, Greco is regulated by FILA and is subject to the same rules changes
that freestyle is currently undergoing. While the freestyle rules have been
pretty favorably received, the Greco changes have not. So it remains to be
seen what Greco will become in the future
A - C
Greece