How many of you know that some of our late, great presidents and political figures wrestled? Be honest, because I did not know some of this until I talked to a fellow teammate and did the research! I am talking way back to the 18th and 19th centuries. For those who know what I am talking about, you probably are not surprised. However if you have never looked into this, I suggest you keep reading! Everyone should know their history.
By the 18th century wrestling became a recognized spectator sport, even though it was thought of as extremely rough. Do you know who was able to defeat seven challengers from the Massachusetts Volunteers at the age of 47? George Washington. What a boss to be able to do that at that age. He was actually known for his wrestling championship in Virginia in what is known as the collar-and-elbow style. Another president known for this style was Howard Taft. Being the heaviest of presidents at a solid 225 pounds, he was the intramural heavyweight wrestling champion at Yale University. If you are unfamiliar with the collar-and-elbow style of wrestling it is when wrestlers start the match by grasping the collar with one hand and the elbow with the other. From there, they sought to make the other person fall. If this did not happen then they would continue fighting from the feet until eventually the fall was achieved. Sound familiar? It should!
Two other US Presidents, Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor were also known for their wrestling. In 1830, do you know who was known as the wrestling champion of Illinois? Abraham Lincoln. He was only a young age of twenty-one. Abraham Lincoln actually practiced a more free-for-all style of wrestling that was popular at the time. He was known for his bout with Jack Armstrong; another wrestling champion. Lincoln won when he lost his temper due to being fouled by his opponent and slammed him to the ground, knocking Armstrong out. In his career, Lincoln only lost one recorded match via fall. His great accomplishments earned him the “Outstanding American” honor in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Other US Presidents that participated in this sport were Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Chester A. Arthur, and Theodore Roosevelt. The history of the sport is actually quite interesting and dates very far back. I would be anxious to see how these presidents would fare nowadays in an IBJJF tournament, and on that note…..
If you could make brackets for historical figures, who would you choose? Who would you like to see go head to head? Male or female!
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