Ristynės (Lithuania)
- Name of sport (game): Ristynės
- Name in native language: Ristynės
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Lithuania
- History:
Ristynės is a traditional Lithuanian wrestling style that has a long and rich history. It is believed to have originated in the 15th century, and it was popular throughout the country for centuries. Ristynės was often performed at local fairs and holiday celebrations, and it was also used as a form of entertainment for the nobility.
The name "ristynės" comes from the Lithuanian words "risti" (to roll) and "tynės" (to wrestle). The style is characterized by its use of throws, holds, and pins. It is a physically demanding sport, and it requires both strength and agility.
Ristynės was banned by the Soviet Union in 1940, but it has since been revived. It is now a popular sport in Lithuania, and it is also practiced in other countries around the world.
Here are some of the key events in the history of ristynės:
15th century: Ristynės is believed to have originated in the 15th century.
19th and 20th centuries: Ristynės was most popular between the middle of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries.
1940: Ristynės was banned by the Soviet Union.
1990s: Ristynės was revived after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
2012: The Lithuanian Wrestling Federation, Lithuanian Alysh Federation, and International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) organized demonstration championships of ristynės.
Ristynės is an important part of Lithuanian culture, and it is a valuable source of pride for the country. It is a physically demanding sport that requires both strength and agility, and it is a great way to stay healthy and fit. - Description:
Terminology:
• Bridge and Half-Bridge Positions: Bridge and Half-Bridge Positions are used for both defence and offence in combat.
• Dynamic stretching: Dynamic stretching exercises are designed to prepare muscles and joints for intense physical activity.
• Formation Exercises: Formation exercises are designed to teach basic positions and
movements.
• Lifting: The lifting action is lifting the opponent's body off the ground so that no part of the body, arm or leg, is reaching the ground. Lifting is done with the whole body: in a halfsquatting position with the back straight and keeping the grip as low and close to the centre of gravity as possible. When picking up an opponent, the gap between the action and the opponent shall be as small as possible to prevent the opponent from escaping.
• On-the-spot Exercises: On-the-spot exercises are designed to develop body strength,
flexibility and balance.
• Parterre: A position in which the fighter may be on his back, bridge or half-bridge position, on his stomach, or with both folded limbs touching the ground.
• Ristynes: Traditional Lithuanian wrestling, recognised as the country's intangible Cultural heritage.
• Static Stretching: Static stretching is to relax muscles after intense exercise.
• Standing: This is a fighting body position. The legs are slightly bent and stand shoulder-width apart, with one foot in front. This leg position is required to react, attack or defend. Everyone will find his or her own comfortable position. Arms bent and slightly extended forward to control the distance. Head slightly bent with forward.
• Pushrod: A strategic form of play designed to improve balance, strength and tactical
positioning in combatThe preparation of the Ristynes is based on minimal equipment that reflects its traditional origin and availability.
• Sportwear: Participants usually wear light, comfortable and mobile clothing, such as shorts and T-shirts. While special wrestling shoes can improve traction and stability, they are not necessary as Ristiness often takes place on natural surfaces.
• Equipment: Wrestling is mainly an individual sport, no special team equipment is required. However, for training purposes, basic wrestling mats or padded surfaces can be used to reduce impact and ensure safety during training.
• Number of Players: Wrestling can be practiced individually or in small groups, under the guidance of a coach or experienced professional. Individual training allows individuals to concentrate on technique and concentration, while group sessions provide the opportunity to spar and improve tactics. A minimum of two participants is usually ideal for meaningful training, promoting camaraderie and competition in a training environment.The aim of the bout is to put the opponent on both scapulae of the back, which is considered a dangerous position. If the opponent can not leave the dangerous position within 5 seconds, the referee stops the match and the athlete who put his opponent on his back wins. The fight lasts 2 rounds of 2 minutes with a break of 30 seconds. During this time the winner will be declared the one who will collect more points. You can win early by putting on your back or by collecting a 10-point advantage. To put the opponent in the parterre and take a position behind the opponent is estimated at 1 point. All actions in the parterre that put the opponent in a dangerous position are evaluated in 2 points. Throws from the standing are evaluated in 3 points. Throws from the standing with a large aplitude of the throw is evaluated in 5 points. It is possible to grapt the opponent with hands only for the body above the waist, with feet it is possible to make pick-ups or hooks only for the legs of the opponent. It is not allowed to tail the clothes, to make blows, scratch, bite, spit, not to listen to the judge's remarks, grab the hair, talk, strangle and make joints break. In Lithuanian wrestling there is a belt that can be grabbed and various actions can be performed in order to put the opponent in a dangerous position.
Usually in Lithuania competitions are held in the street and fight on the hay, which is scattered in the form of a circle with a diameter of 6 meters. Leaving the fight beyond the boundaries of the territory of the fight is punished by one point, which the judge gives to the opponent who was the last to stay in the circle of the territory where the fight takes place. In parterre the judge gives usually 10 seconds of time to the opponents to make actions. If the actions that could lead to the result do not take place, the judge raises the opponents to the rack and there is a continuation of the fight. - Current status:
Ristynės in Lithuania, it is a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage. This traditional style of wrestling originates from different regions of Lithuania and reflects the unique conditions and customs of each area. The Lietuviškų ristynių federacija (LRF) has carefully developed the modern rules governing the sport based on historical descriptions of wrestling bouts. Stanislav Bajurin, together with Andrius Janionis, Tomas Gērve and Jevgenij Belov, came together for this purpose. Stanislav is a famous Lithuanian freestyle wrestling representative whose Experience was invaluable in shaping the modern system. "Rooted in the ancient traditions of freestyle wrestling, Ristynės embodies the essence of Lithuanian martial arts, emphasizing strategy, agility and strength. The initial and most important contribution to the revival of Ristynės was made by Tomas Gėrve together with Andrius Janionis. They found and collected all the historical and folkloric descriptions of the Ristynės that were available at the time.
The LRF was created with the aim of revitalising the Ristynės. The development concept was chosen using the opportunity to participate in large festivals organized in Lithuania. During the festival, it is organized educational events together with competitions. The competitions were made between festival visitors or fighters of different wrestling styles invited in advance. Over time, the necessary documents and materials are submitted to the Lithuanian National Centre for Culture in order to have Ristynės recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. As a further step, aimed to include traditional games in the Lithuanian school system and it is also successfully implemented. - Importance (for practitioners, communities etc.):
Ristynės is an important part of Lithuanian culture for several reasons:
Historical significance: Ristynės has a long and rich history dating back to the 15th century. It was a popular sport throughout Lithuania for centuries, and it was often performed at local fairs and holiday celebrations. Ristynės was also used as a form of entertainment for the nobility.
Cultural identity: Ristynės is a unique form of wrestling that is not practiced anywhere else in the world. It is an important part of Lithuanian identity, and it is a source of pride for the country.
Physical and mental benefits: Ristynės is a physically demanding sport that requires both strength and agility. It is a great way to stay healthy and fit, and it can also help to improve mental health.
Social benefits: Ristynės is a social sport that can help to bring people together. It is a great way to meet new people and make friends.
Economic benefits: Ristynės is a growing sport that is attracting more and more attention from around the world. It can be a source of economic benefits for Lithuania, through tourism and other related activities.
Overall, Ristynės is an important part of Lithuanian culture that has a lot to offer. It is a unique and valuable sport that can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Contacts:
Lietuvos Etnosporto Komitetas
Tel: +37067992665This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: https://etnosportas.lt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lietuvos_etnosporto_komitetas/Lietuviškų ristynių federacija
Gegužių g. 43-24, LT-78325 Šiauliai
+370 696 01479This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: https://lietuviskos-ristynes.lt/
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/Lietuvisku.ristyniu.federacija/
Clubs:- Vilnius. V.Maciulevičiaus g. 51. +370 654 50101
- Vilnius. Ąžuolyno g. 5. +370 684 11800
- Vilnius. Žirmūnų 106 E. parduotuvės “IKI” antrame aukšte. +370 677 47580
- Vilnius. Pergales 13. +370 608 44393
- Kaunas. Partizanų g. 180. +370 689 3300
- Radviliskis. Vaižganto 29 c. Imtynių sporto klubas “Radviliškio laisvūnas” +370 602 12984
- Kuršėnai. Liepų al. 15. Sporto klubas “Dvikova” +370 674 01600
- Kelmė. J. Janonio g. 9. Kelmės imtynių sporto klubas +370 678 23606
- Sources of information :
Articles:
https://www.delfi.lt/en/lifestyle/lithuanian-martial-arts-ristynes-73202186
https://lietuviskos-ristynes.lt/
https://alkas.lt/2021/11/25/lietuviskos-ristynes-bene-sudetingiausia-etnosporto-saka/Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD6H_itqgSg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pZBSVPPnew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pZBSVPPnew&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR04i07mRErErnQ7469cnJYDw0igt0IsMeGsm8z8FGwW0VgKNTITmq_I0pYThe information contained in the article comes from the following sources:
Informations: Stanislav Bajurin, President Lietuvos Etnosporto Komitetas; Kazimierz Waluch
Source of photos used in this article and gallery: All photos: Kazimierz Waluch, Traditional Sports
- Gallery: