Two Wrestlers

An early demonstration of Greco-Roman wrestling for the benefit of the camera

Two men demonstrate Greco-Roman wrestling on a stage with a theatrical backdrop depicting a classical garden scene. This 'act' is clearly a genuine bout of Greco-Roman style wrestling between experienced protagonists. The two sport traditional leotards, and an umpire presides. What's not so clear is who made it and when.

The sport was admitted as an Olympic sport in 1896 and was given a fillip by the career of Estonian George Hackenschmidt, who popularised both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling throughout Europe.