S'Istrumpa (Sardinian Wrestling)
Traditional Sardinian wrestling in a fixed grip behind the back. The federation was founded in 1994 in Ollolai and CONI recognised it as a sport in 1997.
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About S'Istrumpa (Sardinian Wrestling)
S'istrumpa is a traditional Sardinian wrestling. According to L'Unione Sarda, the name comes from the verb istrumpare, to throw someone violently to the ground. The oldest reliable evidence is from the Renaissance, and the tradition was passed on orally for centuries. Wrestlers hold each other with one arm under the opponent's armpit and the other over the shoulder, wrists clasped behind his back. Tripping, pulling, pushing, lifting, turning and throwing are allowed, but not throwing backwards. Strikes are forbidden and lead to disqualification. A takedown counts when the opponent touches the ground with the back or falls under the other wrestler. Three referees run the bout, and with no valid takedown after the third round the more combative wrestler without an official warning wins. Folk tradition names no founder. The s'istrumpa federation was founded in 1994 in Ollolai, and the Italian Olympic Committee CONI recognised it as a sport in 1997. The Italian federation FIJLKAM lists it among its disciplines. Sources disagree on when the first tournament under written rules was held: UNESCO ICM gives 1985, L'Unione Sarda the first regional championship in 1989.
History
According to L'Unione Sarda, the name comes from the Sardinian verb istrumpare, meaning to throw someone violently to the ground. The oldest reliable evidence is from the Renaissance, and the tradition was passed on orally for centuries. According to UNESCO ICM, the bouts showed a person's standing in the community and were also held in secret with bets for money. Organised sport is young. UNESCO ICM states that the first tournament with rules written down from the accounts of elders took place in 1985. L'Unione Sarda places the first Sardinian regional championship in 1989.
Technique
Wrestlers face each other, one arm under the opponent's armpit, the other over the shoulder, wrists clasped behind his back. Tripping, pulling, pushing, lifting, turning and throwing are allowed, but not backward throws. Continuing an attack, a wrestler must not touch the ground with a knee. L'Unione Sarda says strikes are forbidden and mean disqualification. UNESCO ICM, however, writes of holds combined with strikes. We have not been able to resolve this contradiction.
Ranks and progression
The s'istrumpa federation was founded in 1994 in Ollolai. In 1996 the association Sa Strumpa in Villagrande Strisaili was added, and in 1997 the Italian Olympic Committee CONI recognised s'istrumpa as a sport. The Italian federation FIJLKAM lists it in its document from around 2010 among the disciplines it includes. We have not found the year of its admission.
Today
A takedown counts when the opponent touches the ground with the back or falls under the other wrestler. If either falls, the referee whistles the bout to a stop. Three referees run the bout, and with no valid takedown after the third round the more combative wrestler without an official warning wins. The regional catalogue Sardegna Cultura lists an article by Piero Frau on the journey of s'istrumpa from village entertainment to an international tournament in Ollolai. UNESCO ICM mentions Sardinian wrestlers at tournaments of Celtic wrestling.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name s'istrumpa mean?
According to the newspaper L'Unione Sarda it comes from the Sardinian verb istrumpare, to throw someone violently to the ground.
How do you win in s'istrumpa?
By a takedown, when the opponent touches the ground with the back or falls under the other wrestler. With no takedown after the third round, the more combative wrestler without a warning wins.
Who organises s'istrumpa?
The s'istrumpa federation, founded in 1994 in Ollolai. The Italian Olympic Committee CONI recognised it as a sport in 1997.
Similar styles
Selected by overlap in the style profile, not by historical lineage.