Devon wrestling

Devon Wrestling
Also known asDevonshire Wrestling
FocusGrappling, Kicking
Country of originEnglandDevon Devon, England
Famous practitionersAbraham Cann
Olympic sportNo

Devon wrestling or Devonshire wrestling is a type of wrestling that originated in Devon, England, which was popular in the nineteenth century.[1] The Devonshire style of wrestling allows footwear to be worn and kicking intended to trip and disable the opponent.

It has similarities to Cornish wrestling but it focuses more on foot moves and less on throwing.[2] Traditionally, Cornish wrestling used ‘Hugs and heaves’, whereas the Devonshire style used ‘Kicks and trips’. Despite some differences in emphasis and naming conventions, the two styles are considered to be the same.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth century many Devon wrestlers used to wear "baked" boots when wrestling, which could cause serious injury to opponents (on rare occasions leading to death).[3]

  1. ^ "Bayview House Lynmouth". Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference everydaybook was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference devonlivesalutationinn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).