Because of its complexity and intricate technique it would be impossible
to try to explain the different tricks and throws that you can expect
to find in a Glíma-fight, but you can say that it looks a
lot like Judo (– with the important difference that Glíma
is a thousand years older than Judo). If you like to test Glíma,
or even learn it – you have to hurry up, because there are
not so many people who still knows the Martial Art of the Vikings.
You will find the best instructors on Iceland – because there
they have an unbroken tradition of Glíma-wrestling since
the Viking Age, but there is also a few good Glíma-wrestlers
that can be found in south of Scandinavia that can give you the
basics of this old style of Viking-wrestling. If you are interested
– do not hesitate to contact me at my e-mail address.
As a final word of advice I must say that Glíma is a very
difficult Art to learn and master. Some people train their whole
life but never really understands the principles of Glíma.
You must also be able to take a lot of heavy falls when you are
thrown to the ground with the speed of a Glíma- technique.
And I would be telling you a lie if I said that there can not be
any injuries in a Glíma-fight…
But if you would like to test and try out the Martial Art that
fostered the Viking warriors – you still have a theoretical
chance to do it before it becomes one of the many extinct Martial
Arts that can be found in the annals of history.
Sincerely: Lars Magnar Enoksen – Scandinavian Chief Instructor
of Glíma. Author of several books concerning the Viking Age
history – mostly about the Runes and Norse Mythology.
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