Indelible bonds have been forged within the international backhold wrestling community, following a visit to Brittany by the Chair of Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show, John Hibbert.
The visit was part of Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show’s determined efforts to increase its engagement with the entire wrestling community, regardless of geographical boundaries.
Referencing its position as the premier backhold wrestling event in the eyes of many British and international competitors, the show is ready to acquire as much knowledge of international backhold wrestling as possible, to become a true champion of the sport and reinforcing its right to be regarded as its true champion – something its place within the history of Lakeland wrestling competition warrants.
Underpinning this is the show’s great desire to ensure that Cumbrian culture and tradition is not eroded. Its recognition of the major role that backhold wrestling plays within the cultural landscape was another motivation behind the visit.
During the trip, it became apparent that the sport has a greater importance still – binding together strands of the Celtic cultural tradition rooted in the various geographical locations in which competitors still partake in backhold wrestling.
To achieve their aims, John Hibbert and wife visited Pontivy in Brittany – known as Pondi in the Breton language – where they attended the Brittany Backhold Championships, held at the Complexe Sportif Le Drogo.
Here, competitions were based on the Cumbrian form of backhold, although other nations have their own versions. Competitors had verged on Pontivy from various skol (clubs) in Brittany but also from Spain, Cornwall, Northumberland, Scotland, Iceland and, of course, Cumbria. However, variations of the sport are also practised in Sardinia, Austria and Switzerland.
In some cases, backhold wrestling involves grips on a jacket, as in the Breton ‘Gouren’. In Iceland, wrestling takes place on a wooden floor indoors. Arena-based or on-grass competition is the format in Spain, whilst Sardinia is very similar to Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, involving a tight grip of the hands around the competitor’s body.
Whatever the format, there is a current growth in participation in many countries, with competitors finding a real ‘home’ and friendship circle within their skol or club. John discovered this was the case in Brittany, where a young Afghan unaccompanied migrant has joined the wrestling community to integrate into the local culture. He is already progressing most impressively.
John Hibbert - Grasmere Sports,
Christian Pélé - Breton Gouren, Gudmundur Stéfan Gunnarsson - Iceland and International Federation of Celtic Wrestling
As the Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show’s Chair, John quickly felt like the guest of honour at the Pontivy championships, receiving a warm welcome, great hospitality and special introduction at the official reception event. He was also asked to present the All-weights category trophy and met local politicians, including the local departement’s Culture Minister.
The Hibberts also enjoyed a splendid post-event supper, arranged by the organisers and focused on local food and drink. This offered great opportunities to elicit views on the future of the sport as a cross-nation phenomenon. These discussions included the quest to have the sport included as an Olympic event.
What was particularly striking was that the cultural heritage of each nation was interwoven with all event elements, to create bonds across the Celtic community. This reinforced the sentiments that Icelandic and Breton competitors voiced in a podcast ahead of their participation at Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show in August 2024, available here – https://bit.ly/3X6aj9A
It was also crystal clear that, regardless of which national contingent he spoke to, Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show was viewed as the most important event in the backhold wrestling calendar. Having achieved this level of kudos, it is imperative that Grasmere, and wider Cumbria, embrace this positioning with pride but also build upon it, recognising the community and social benefits the sport provides.
“As well as the underlining of the importance of the sport within the distinct cultures of the teams represented, there was a clear emphasis on sportsmanship,” says John. “There was a parade of competitors and a taking of an oath, in which all wrestlers pledged to be fair, honest and honourable. All competitors took this oath in their own language. This, along with cultural references, such as a display of all nations’ flags in the sports hall, was a fantastic thing to witness.
“Overall, the sense of unity between nations was absolutely evident and it is incredible that this has been forged through what is supposedly a ‘minority’ sport. It left me with an even greater determination to support Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling to the hilt, through our Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show’s committee’s efforts. It is far more than just a sport. It is a fundamental cornerstone of our Cumberland and Westmorland identity and something intrinsically linked to our heritage and distinct dialects.”
The Cumbrian contingent faired brilliantly in Pontivy, winning seven events. Winners’ accolades went to Ellena Peacock, Lucy Coulston, Sam Pitts, George Peacock, Max Bates, Jack Brown, and Thomas Gibson. A special mention has to go to the latter, who won both the ‘Seniors over 90kg’ weight class and then the ‘All Weights’ title, beating the 8-stone heavier Breton wrestler, Jeremy Hardouin.
Thanks to John’s visit, there is a potentially exciting outcome on the horizon. The Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling programme could have an exciting new dimension in 2025, as he has potentially persuaded a contingent of Spanish backhold wrestlers to head to Grasmere for the first time. There, they would compete alongside other international teams from Brittany and Iceland, and against all the dedicated Cumbrian, Northumbrian and Scottish wrestlers who step into the arena each year.
If that happens, the backhold wrestling communities bonds will be further strengthened and visitors to the Grasmere Sports Field on Sunday August 24 will be able to witness a thrilling ‘first’.
To buy your tickets and witness the bonds between the international wrestlers first-hand, head to www.grasmeresports.com where early bird tickets will be available soon.
