The Icelandic sport of glíma (pronounced GLEE-mah) represents one of the oldest continuously practised wrestling traditions in Europe. It has accompanied Icelanders since the era of the first Norse settlers, serving both as combat training and as a test of personal skill. Throughout the centuries, glíma has been more than just a means of competition; it is a practice entwined with Icelandic ideas of honour and community.
Roots in settlement and law
When Norse people settled in Iceland in the 9th century, they brought with them a range of wrestling and combat practices. These traditions remained a part of daily life, and glíma received mention in legal codes such as Jónsbók, which dates from 1325. Whether practised in farmyards or during summer gatherings, glíma became a measure of ability, agility and social standing.
The sport’s modern form began to take shape in the late 19th century. In 1888, the first recorded trouser-grip glíma competition took place, establishing a standard still observed today. By 1905, competitors adopted special belts to improve their grip, a change that shaped matches from then on. Just a year later, wrestlers competed for the Grettisbeltið (Belt of Grettir), a prize that persists as one of the oldest trophies in Icelandic sport.
A sport defined by technique and code
Trouser-grip, or brókartök, glíma is regarded as Iceland’s national sport. It is distinctive in its focus on skill rather than brute strength. Wrestlers wear a set of belts, one at the waist and others around the thighs, allowing each to grasp their opponent securely. The goal is to throw the other to the ground using a variety of approved techniques, but it is not sufficient to simply topple the opponent. Victory is only achieved when an area between elbow and knee touches the ground.
Several rules set glíma apart from other wrestling styles. Both participants must maintain an upright posture throughout, walking clockwise around each other in a pattern that evokes the steps of a waltz. This movement, known as stígandi, encourages active offence and defence, avoiding the stalemates seen in more static wrestling. It is expressly forbidden to forcefully push or fall onto the opponent, as the sport values control and elegance in both the attempt and the victory.
Underlying glíma is a sense of honour, drengskapur, that places fairness and the safety of competitors at the forefront. Wrestlers are encouraged to look across each other’s shoulders, relying on physical sensitivity more than sight to sense balance and opportunity. The sport’s techniques are codified in eight basic moves, from which wrestlers learn as many as 50 ways to trip or throw.
Other styles such as loose-grip (lausatök) allow a greater range of holds, while backhold wrestling (hryggspenna) favours strength. Yet, across all forms, the emphasis remains on technique, control and a code of conduct distinct to glíma. This approach has helped the sport find a place at the heart of Icelandic culture, with glíma even featured as a demonstration event at the 1912 Summer Olympics.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
