What is Glima?
[[File:Glima Wrestling.jpg|thumb|A glima tournament in 1985]] '''Glíma''' is an [[Old Norse language|Old Norse]] word meaning glimpse or flash, and is the name of the Scandinavian martial arts system used by the Vikings over 1200 years ago. Glima as a self-defence system contains throws, blows, kicks, chokes, locks, and pain techniques, and is comparable with the best complete martial arts systems from around the world. Glima as self-defence was the foundation for the Viking warrior, and these techniques are still practiced in Scandinavia, Europe, North America and [[South America]]. '''Glima''' as a sport is often called [[Viking]] [[wrestling]] and covers several types of Scandinavian folk wrestling: Lausatök, Brokartök and Hryggspenna. '''Lausatök '''(Loose-grip or Free-grip) is the most wide spread form of glima practiced in [[Norway]]. It is quite aggressive form of wrestling where the match the winner is considered the one who is standing up while the opponent is lying on the ground. '''Hryggspenna''' (Backhold) is a form of wrestling where the opponents take hold of each other's upper body with a grip around the back; whoever touches the ground with any part of the body except the feet has lost. '''Brokartök''' (Trouser-grip) the most widespread in [[Iceland]] and [[Sweden]]. In this type of Glima, the wrestlers hold each others trousers by the waistline, or by a special Brokartök glima belt, then attempts to trip and throw their opponent. Christian priests regarded Glima as a [[pagan]] activity and tried to eliminate it when [[Scandinavia]], became Christian. The people of Scandinavia however thought it good for physical and moral development and continued to practice the sport. Brokartök glima has been the [[national sport]] of Iceland for over 100 years. == References == * Craig, Steve. ''Sports and Games of the Ancients'', pages 97-99, Greenwood Publishing Group. ==Other websites== {{commons cat-inline}} [[Category:Wrestling]] [[Category:Iceland]]