More Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Categories Than Ever at Grasmere Sports 2022

The spectacle of Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling is set to be greater than ever at this year’s Grasmere Sports and Lakeland Show, as the show follows news of its staging of the under-10s World Championship with that of brand-new categories in this year’s competition.

The August 28, 2022 event will have this traditional Lakeland sport as just one of its many attractions but it will be a more inclusive one than ever, thanks to the introduction of two new weight categories – Boys (up to 11 stone) and Men’s (up to 21 years).

The new categories will now sit alongside those which have provided much-loved entertainment for previous crowds.  Other competitors will compete in various age and weight categories for boys, girls, ladies and men, as well as ‘all-weights heavyweight’ wrestling.  The overall ‘best wrestler’ on the day will also walk away with the Westmorland Guinness Trophy.

With this expanded programme and the fact that one talented under-10, in a mixed category of boys and girls, will scoop a world title and trophy in this sport, there is new life being breathed into this tremendously skilful form of combat sport.

Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling has been part of the Lake District’s cultural tradition for centuries, described by writers and journalists for over 200 years.  With wrestling being so popular around the world, this very niche form of the sport could enjoy a fantastic renaissance.

Those attending the event could do worse than to not just grab their tickets now, at an early bird rate, but also swot up on the sport’s rules, getting to know their hipes (lifting throws) from their buttocks (twisting throws).  Backhold wrestling of this kind also involves inflicting nifty trips, including clicks, cross clicks, back heels and outside strokes, so learning how to watch for those will add to the entertainment.

Colourful and traditional Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling costumes will be in evidence, if mainly in the costume competition these days, but the show does encourage competitors to wear a pair of socks, long johns or tightly fitted leggings, an elasticated centrepiece around the waist and a singlet vest or tee-shirt.  Girls can wrestle in a kilt, shorts or tracksuit bottoms.

“We are thrilled to be able to stage an expanded Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling competition this year and know the new categories will make a big difference to those who are agile and technically brilliant at the sport but who struggle to find the right category,” says Grasmere Sports and Lakeland Show’s Sports and Field Manager, Deborah Black.

“Being able to encourage the youngest wrestlers will also be extremely rewarding and also the start of a journey, as the winners of our world championship for under-10s could well be ‘names’ in the competition for many years to come.”

Anyone wishing to take up the sport can study videos at The Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling Association (CWWA) website, or join one of three clubs in Cumbria currently teaching the sport at present. These can be found in Carlisle, Kendal and Waberthwaite.

Further details about Grasmere Sports and Lakeland Show, first organised in 1868, can be found at www.grasmeresports.com   Early-bird online tickets are selling fast, so local people are advised to get theirs quickly and at the best possible price.  For an adult, this is currently £11, whilst a child’s ticket is £5 and a family ticket is £28.  

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Editors notes

Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show is an iconic event taking place in the heart of the English Lake District on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Its long historic roots date back to 1868 and it is renowned for its fell running, hound trails and Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling competitions, as well as being a fantastic family day out.