Spectators at this year’s Grasmere Show will get to see more Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling than ever as new categories have been introduced.
A new under-10s world championship, plus the introduction of two new weight classes of boys up to 11 stones and men up to 21 years, promises visitors a visual spectacle of the traditional sport at the show on August 28.
Other wrestlers will compete in age and weight categories for boys, girls, ladies and men, as well as all-weights heavyweight wrestling. The overall best wrestler on the day will walk away with the Westmorland Guinness Trophy.
Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling has been part of the Lake District’s cultural tradition for centuries, described by writers for over 200 years.
Those attending the event could do worse than to not just grab their tickets now, at an early bird rate, but also swot up on the sport’s rules, getting to know their hipes (lifting throws) from their buttocks (twisting throws).
Backhold wrestling of this kind also involves inflicting nifty trips, including clicks, cross clicks, back heels and outside strokes, so learning how to watch for those will add to the entertainment.
Colourful and traditional Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling costumes will also be on show – if mainly in the costume competition these days – but the show does encourage competitors to wear a pair of socks, long johns or tightly fitted leggings, an elasticated centrepiece around the waist and a singlet vest or T-shirt. Girls can wrestle in a kilt, shorts or tracksuit bottoms.
Grasmere Sports and Lakeland Show’s sports and field manager Deborah Black said: “We are thrilled to be able to stage an expanded Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling competition this year and know the new categories will make a big difference to those who are agile and technically brilliant at the sport but who struggle to find the right category.
“Being able to encourage the youngest wrestlers will also be extremely rewarding and also the start of a journey, as the winners of our world championship for under-10s could well be ‘names’ in the competition for many years to come.”
There clubs in Cumbria currently teaching the sport at present, based in Carlisle, Kendal and Waberthwaite.
Further details about Grasmere Sports and Lakeland Show, first organised in 1868, can be found at www.grasmeresports.com
Early bird online tickets are selling fast, so local people are advised to get theirs quickly.
