Iceland - "ICELANDIC WRESTLING ~ 100th ANNIVERSARY" MNH MS 2006 !

Description

Iceland -
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ICELANDIC WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
~ 100th ANNIVERSARY
.
"
MNH ~ Miniature Sheet !
Glima, Icelandic Wrestling, is the oldest and most famous sport tournament in Iceland. The tournament has been held annually since 1906.
Wrestling was for centuries Iceland’s national sport, having been preserved since the settlement some 1200 years ago. It is also the only sport that has been developed in Iceland. Old wrestling narratives show that strength often was favoured over technique.
Glima is an ancient combative sport which makes great demands on the wrestlers. Some evidences of glima date back to the 12th century. However, stories of wrestling in the Icelandic Sagas and the Younger Edda make it reasonable to believe that the system is older.
Around 150 forms of wrestling are known in the world, the most famous being Japanese Sumo. The best Icelandic wrestlers compete annually for the Girdle of Grettir which is the oldest and most impressive piece to be awarded in Icelandis sports.
The winner receives the title the Wrestling Champion of Iceland.
Year: 2006.