Glíma
The national wrestling of Iceland — trip and lift your opponent using leather belt grips.
👥1 per team🌤indoor
What is Glíma?
Glíma is the national wrestling of Iceland, descended from Viking-age Scandinavia. Wrestlers wear a leather belt (glímubelti) around waist and thighs which the opponent grips; the aim is to throw the opponent so that any part between elbow and knee touches the mat, without stopping the upright dance-like rhythm.
Quick facts
Category
Combat Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1 per team
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇮🇸 Iceland
Estimated origin
Viking-age Scandinavia; national sport of Iceland
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-20.verified