Which Martial Art Is Most Like Wrestling?By Coder| August 31, 2023 Wrestling When it comes to combat sports, wrestling and martial arts are often discussed in the same breath. Both involve physical contact and require a high level of skill and technique. While wrestling is a sport that focuses on takedowns, grappling, and pinning an opponent to the ground, there are several martial arts that share similarities with wrestling. Judo Judo, which originated in Japan, is a martial art that heavily emphasizes throws and takedowns. In fact, many of the techniques used in Judo are derived from wrestling. Just like in wrestling, Judo practitioners aim to take their opponents down to the ground and gain control over them. The emphasis on grip fighting and close-quarters combat makes Judo very similar to wrestling. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is another martial art that shares similarities with wrestling. While BJJ also involves submissions and ground fighting, it places a strong emphasis on controlling an opponent on the ground. This aspect of BJJ closely resembles the strategy used in wrestling to gain dominance over an opponent through groundwork. Sambo Sambo, a Russian martial art developed in the early 20th century, incorporates elements of both judo and wrestling. It combines throws, takedowns, submission holds, and ground fighting techniques. The grappling techniques in Sambo closely resemble those used in freestyle wrestling. Catch Wrestling Catch Wrestling is a hybrid style that combines elements of various grappling arts including traditional folk styles from Europe as well as influences from Japanese jujutsu. Catch Wrestling focuses on submissions, pins, and controlling an opponent through superior grappling skills – all of which are also fundamental aspects of wrestling. Sumo Sumo, the traditional Japanese sport, may seem quite different from wrestling at first glance due to its unique rules and cultural significance. However, both sports share a focus on using strength and technique to overpower an opponent and force them out of a designated area. Sumo wrestlers utilize various pushing, grappling, and throwing techniques similar to those seen in wrestling. Conclusion In conclusion, while there are several martial arts that share similarities with wrestling, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, Catch Wrestling, and Sumo stand out as the most closely related. These martial arts incorporate throws, takedowns, ground fighting techniques, and a strong emphasis on controlling opponents – much like the sport of wrestling. Whether you’re interested in pursuing wrestling or one of these martial arts, you’ll find that they all offer unique challenges and rewarding experiences.
