For centuries, backhold wrestling has captivated wrestlers and spectators alike. This form of wrestling, with its simple rules and blend of speed, strength, agility, skill, and determination, is a staple at sports meetings and agricultural shows throughout the Northern Counties of England and the Borders of Scotland.
Cumberland and Westmorland Style wrestling has endured as a skilled and vigorous sport, documented extensively over the past two centuries by newspapers, specialised books, and now on social media and websites. Despite the passage of time, the core elements of the sport remain unchanged. If a wrestler from today’s rings could travel back two hundred years, they would find the same ‘chips’ (techniques) used, many of the same technical terms (like buttocks, hipes, and dog falls), and similar judging challenges, such as ensuring equal holds at the start.
