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Form of wrestling originating in Cornwall, England

Cornish wrestling is a form of wrestling that has been established in Cornwall for many centuries and possibly longer. It is similar to the Breton Gouren wrestling style. It is colloquially known as "wrasslin’" in the Cornish dialect of English; historically, this usage is attested by Chaucer, Shakespeare and Drayton. The referee is known as a 'stickler', and it is claimed that the popular meaning of the word as a 'pedant' originates from this usage. Cornish wrestling is a national sport of Cornwall, which spread throughout the British Isles and then, along with the Cornish diaspora, to such places as the United States, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and South Africa. It has similarities to Devon wrestling but it was reputed to focus less on foot moves and more on throwing.

A very old custom was, on the Sunday following a wrestling match or tournament, to wear to church any prizes won. Alternatively they were hung on an inside pillar near the main church door. This custom was especially observed when the victory was within another parish. Some Cornish wrestling matches allowed shin kicking. This was often referred to as "Cornish purring". There is an ancient custom whereby sticklers of a tournament would appear at church the following Sunday wearing "Christys" (silk top hats) with streamers (silk ribbons). Another example is Lizzie Taylor (1831 1887), known as "Happy Ned" or "Lizzie poor Dick", who threw John Lillywhite in a wrestling bout at Clowance. She was a miner who dressed in men's clothes. During a match, wrestlers shake hands before every hitch. Prior to the mid 1800s, competitors had to renounce the use of magic before the start of a tournament. Traditionally wrestlers would challenge each other to wrestling matches by throwing their hat into the ring. The idiom may come from this practice. In Cornwall, youngsters used to play the game of "shuffle hats and wrastle", where they would throw their hats into a ring, with their owners wrestling off in accordance with the pairing of the hats. There had been a custom of "begging the ring" whereby old or injured wrestlers would walk around the ring begging for alms. This was replaced by a wrestlers' benevolent fund in 1926 and then by the welfare state. Wrestling matches were once played in churchyards, but in 1297 the Bishop of Exeter banned it from such places in Devon and Cornwall. At some tournaments there were prizes for those wresters appearing in the neatest costume. In late Victorian times women were briefly banned from matches, as men often wrestled in their long johns, which was not considered respectable. In the mid 1800s through to the early 1900s, extra trains were laid on going to and from towns where Cornish wrestling tournaments were being held. In the early 1900s this was extended to extra bus services. Until 1927 there was no time limit for Cornish wrestling matches and there are records of matches taking many hours and even having to be reconvened the next day. This was changed to the current rules of two, ten minute, rounds with points being used to determine the winner if no back is scored. However, his time limit lapsed in the 1940s, was proposed to be reinstated in 1956, but was only reinstated in 1967. In the early 1800s there were two distinct styles of wrestling. Wrestlers who fought in the Western style included Parkyn and wrestlers who fought with the Eastern style included the Truscotts. This distinction had disappeared by the end of the 1800s.

There has been significant disagreement, over time, as to which were the ruling governing bodies in the sport and also differences in the precise nature of the rules. This has resulted in simultaneous claimants for world, national and regional titles.

The Cornwall and Devon wrestling Society (also known as the Devon and Cornwall wrestling Society) was formed in 1752, running tournaments and matches in London, often at Hackney Wick. Open competitions were held, awarding significant belts and prizes funded by the patrons. However, only natives of Cornwall were permitted to compete for the Great Duke of Cornwall cup.

The Prince of Wales for many years.

In 1886 and 1887 a series of wrestling tournaments (in Truro, Penzance and Redruth amongst others) was organised by what was described as the "County Committee" with secretary Mr J F Mark.

Historically, there were simultaneous claimants to world, national and regional titles in Cornish wrestling. This was driven, at least in part, by there not being agreement concerning the definitive governing bodies in the sport until the 1920s. Some of these wrestlers also competed in other wrestling styles, or in matches where multiple styles were used.

Mourzouk had a famous Cornish wrestling match with Jack Carkeek in Australia in 1904. He was a champion in Greco Roman wrestling. Nicholas was Cornish wrestling champion of South Australia in 1842. James Chipman was Cornish wrestling champion of South Australia in 1851. William Hodge (1815 ? ), originally from Sithney, He was an Australian Cornish wrestling champion in the late 1840s and early 1850s, winning over 80 prizes. He was 5 feet 10 inches high and weighed 174 lbs. He was champion of Australasia in 1851. He was owner of the Brecknock Arms in Adelaide which was the venue for many tournaments and challenge matches. He once came home and caught a burglar. He explained the battered state of the burglar to the bench by saying he had given him a Flying Mare. John Charles Corse (1825 1872), originally from St Neot, Cornwall, was about 6 feet and 15 stone and was a champion Cornish wrestler. In newspaper articles his surname was also spelt 'Caurse', 'Cors', 'Coss', and was Cornish wrestling champion of Australia in 1857. In 1852 he was champion of New South Wales and was known as the "Sydney Champion" and beat Hodge in a high profile challenge match taking the Australian title. He successfully defended the title in 1856 against Burns. He was murdered by being shot in the back of the head. Captain James Williams White (1826 1903), born on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly and lived in Burra, South Australia since 1856, was a champion wrestler in the Cornish style. Dick Bray, known as "Curley" and weighing about 11 stone, was a champion Australian Cornish wrestler of the 1860s. John H Bray, known as Dancing Bray", was a champion wrestler, winning an important competition in 1868. Joe Williams, originally from Crowan emigrated to mine in Australia in the mid 1800s. He won the Cornish wrestling championship of Australia, gaining the championship belt and a large gold cup. G Philips (1846 1922), was a noted Cornish wrestler in his youth. John Thomas (1844 ? ), known as "Jack" and from Eaglehawk, was heavyweight champion of Australia for many years. His wrestling career spanned from 1871 to 1899. He won over 100 first prizes in England, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and New Zealand in many wrestling styles. He was champion of Victoria in 1879. Stephens was the lightweight Cornish wrestling champion of Australia in 1879. John Walker (1857 1913), known as " Wrastling Jack", was Cornish wrestling champion of the Barrier towards the end of the 1800s. In later life he suffered from lead poisoning. Thomas was champion Cornish wrestler of Australia in 1884. He was previously Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling champion. Connors claimed to be world Cornish wrestling champion in 1886. Jacob Burrows was an Australian Cornish wrestling champion in 1887. Charles Colwell was Australian Cornish wrestling champion in the late 1800s who was especially notable for having only one arm. Henry Randall Neilson (1867 1925), known as "Delhi Neilson" and the "Bendigo Boy", was Australian Cornish wrestling champion between 1889 and 1907, weighing 10 st 7 lbs, who was said to have defeated over 400 opponents. He was an Australian rules footballer. In 1908, 1909 and 1910 he was middleweight Cornish wrestling champion of South Africa. He was the Cornish wrestling champion of the Barrier in 1890 and 1891. Harry Pearce, was Australian champion Cornish wrestler from 1897 to 1904. Dick Porter became middleweight wrestling champion of Australia, beating Delhi Neilson in 1906. Rundle was the 1907 champion of Australia, who also fought in South Africa. George Dinnie was the 1907 Cornish wrestling champion of Western Australia. Colin Roberts was Australian national Cornish wrestling champion in 2000. Gavin Dickson from Sydney won the Australian Cornish wrestling championship in 2001 in front of 30,000 people at the Cornish festival in Moonta.

Fred Oberlander (1911 1996), was born in Vienna and fought successfully in various wrestling styles in Austria, Britain and Canada. He fought in Cornish wrestling tournaments in the 1940s.

Roeder had a famous wrestling match with Schiller Williams in the 1890s, which he lost. ?) was born in Bruce Mines, Canada, moved to the USA and eventually lived in Houghton County. He held the world championship from 1895 to 1898 and was known as the Iron Mountain Butcher. He was arrested for robbing a train in 1893 and served 5 years. He was champion of America before going to jail. Quinn was Cornish wrestling champion of the Pacific coast in 1892. Ole Marsh had a well known match in 1899 with John Sugget for a purse of $2k. John Sugget had a well known match in 1899 with Ole Marsh for a purse of $2k. W Sampson, originally from Penzance, was Cornish wrestling champion of Toronto in 1907.

Fleure was a champion French wrestler who competed in Cornish wrestling competitions in Britain at the highest level in the early to mid 1800s. Henri was a noted French wrestler in the mid 1800s. Piere Maison fought in Cornish wrestling matches in London in the mid 1800s. M Bazar lost to Sam Rundle, in Paris, in a Cornish wrestling match in 1876. He was wrestling champion of France at the time and weighed 300 lbs. Delmas Pierre was a Frenchman that fought in Cornish wrestling tournaments in America in the 1890s. Dubois was a French wrestler who weighed nearly 22 stone, who was beaten by Sam Rundle.

Herman was a German who competed in Cornish wrestling matches in Australia in the 1870s with some success. Carl Moth from Germany competed in mixed style wrestling matches in the US involving Cornish wrestling in the 1880s. Carl Schmidt, known as the "Germany Hercules", competed in mixed style wrestling matches in the US involving Cornish wrestling in the 1890s. Fisher was a German who competed in challenge matches in America involving Cornish wrestling. For example, he beat M J Dwyer in 1898, but lost the return match in the same year. Hillebrand, the "German Samson", was a strongman who toured America at the start of the 1900s and participated in some high profile Cornish wrestling matches with the likes of Sid Varney. Joe Ziehr, from Germany, fought mostly in the United States and held the world Cornish wrestling heavyweight title between 1906 and 1919. In 1902 he was the heavyweight champion of the United States.

Dr John Theodore Hatzopulos, known as "Greek George", was a champion wrestler of many styles including Cornish wrestling. He was 6 ft 2 inches high and weighed 188 lbs when in condition. He wrestled throughout the world. Bill Demetral was Greek, who fought in Cornish wrestling tournaments in Michigan in the early 1900s. Philip Gaffney, the "Irish giant", He was champion of Ireland in 1827. He was London champion in 1828. Finney was a tall Irish champion in the early 1800s who at least once defeated Abraham Cann. Larkins was the Irish champion in 1827. Moorish of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards was 5 ft 5in high and competed at the highest level in the early 1800s. Simon Finn (1812 He was the Irish champion in 1847 and in 1849. Flyn was a highly regarded Irishman that wrestled in Cornish wrestling tournaments in London in the mid 1800s. McMahon was the Irish champion who fought in America in the 1870s. was born in the Beara Peninsula in Ireland and emigrated to the US in about 1875. He claimed the world Cornish wrestling middleweight title in 1903 and retained it until his death. In 1902, Tim was arrested on the charge of insanity. It took 5 policemen to subdue him. He had a brother Peter, who also has some wrestling success. Tim beat Frank Gotch in a Cornish wrestling match. Molly Russell, was Lady Cornish wrestling champion of the world in 1904. She was a crack shot, fencer and fought in other wrestling styles. Pat Connolly was an Irish champion that fought successfully in Cornish wrestling tournaments in Michigan in the early 1900s.

Charles Salotti was an Italian Cornish wrestler that fought in America in the early 1900s and won various tournaments.

Richard Cox was the Westland Cornish wrestling champion in 1868. Francis Griffiths (1844 1910) was the Cornish wrestling champion of the West coast of New Zealand for several years. Edward Blackburn (1844 ? ), born in Cumberland, 5 feet 7 inches high and weighing 182 lbs, had much success in New Zealand Cornish wrestling tournaments. He also competed successfully in Australia. He was originally a catch as catch can wrestling champion in England before emigrating. He drew a Cornish wrestling match with Sam Rundle in 1874. Thornton was the Cornish wrestling champion of New Zealand in 1882. Ben Orr was champion Cornish wrestler of New Zealand in 1887. Coghlan was champion wrestler of New Zealand in 1887. Robert James Scott, Cornish wrestling champion of New Zealand defeated Australian champion Delhi Nelson in 1905 to become the Cornish wrestling champion of Australasia. Note that he was arrested after this match for deserting his wife. He was 6 ft 3 inches and weighed over 14 stone. Harry Pearce was Cornish wrestling champion of Australasia in 1908.

J Rogers of Polish extraction fought in Cornish wrestling competitions in Australia in the 1890s.

The Imajah was middleweight champion of Ceylon in 1894 and also competed in Cornwall.

[[File:Hali Adali 1899. jpg|thumb|right|180x180px|Hali Adali 1899 had some success in Cornish wrestling at the turn of the 20th century including defeating Tom Harrington, Joe Ziehr and Jack O 'Neill in 1899. However, he was defeated in a Cornish wrestling match by Jack O'Neill during a visit to the United States in 1903. Mourad Alat, known as the "Terrible Turk No II", fought in challenge matches in multiple styles, including Cornish wrestling, in Canada in the early 1900s. Ahmed Madrali, the famous Greco Roman wrestler known as the "Terrible Turk", tried his hand at Cornish wrestling and was defeated by Earnest Small.

The Cornish Wrestling Association (CWA) still features annually at the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show. The Cornish wrestling tent can be found in the Countryside area very near to the west entrance. In the Cornish wrestling tent you will find an impressive display of Cornish wrestling trophies, belts, history, photos, books and DVDs. The wrestlers perform demonstrations of their style in the Countryside ring, usually twice a day for each of the three days of the show. The demonstrations feature most of the throws and moves of the Cornish style and also feature demonstration bouts usually with a variety of wrestlers from youngsters, girls, lightweights and heavyweights.

Cornish wrestling is Cornwall's oldest sport and as Cornwall's native tradition it has travelled the world to places like Victoria, Australia and Grass Valley, California following the miners and gold rushes. In the city of Grass Valley, the tradition of singing Cornish carols lives on and St Piran's Day celebrations are held every year, which along with carol singing, includes a flag raising ceremony, games involving the Cornish pasty, and Cornish wrestling competitions.