Wrestling is a combat sport involving grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, jointlocks, pins and other grappling holds. The sport can either be theatrical for entertainment , or genuinely competitive. A wrestling bout is a physical competition , between two (occasionally more) competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position. There are a wide range of styles with varying rules with both traditional historic and modern styles. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into other martial arts as well as military hand -to- hand combat systems.
The term wrestling is attested in late Old English , as wræstlunge (glossing palestram).