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