CWA St Austell

St Austell

Cornish Wrestling

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About our club

Cornish Wrestling stands as a testament to the enduring strength of Celtic culture and the resilience of Cornish identity. Our philosophy centres on preserving this ancient art not merely as a historical curiosity, but as a living, breathing tradition that continues to evolve whilst honouring its deep roots. We believe that Cornish Wrestling connects us directly to our ancestors—those who grappled on Halvager Moor in the dark ages, who impressed King Charles II at Bodmin, and who drew crowds of thousands throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. When a wrestler steps onto the grass in their traditional white canvas jacket, they become part of an unbroken chain stretching back thousands of years.

Our philosophy

The Cornish Wrestling Association preserves and promotes one of Britain's most ancient Celtic martial arts. With a history stretching back to at least 1829 BC—as recorded in the ancient Book of Leinster regarding the Tailteann Games—Cornish Wrestling represents an unbroken tradition of grappling excellence that predates even the Roman invasion of Britain.

Our association organises regular tournaments throughout Cornwall, from the Royal Cornwall Show to traditional village green competitions at St Mawgan, Bodmin, Helston, and Truro. These events bring together wrestlers of all ages and abilities, from children as young as ten years old through to heavyweight champions, maintaining the competitive spirit that has defined Cornish Wrestling for millennia.

Wrestling was well-established in Cornwall before Roman times, with meetings recorded on Halvager Moor during the dark ages. King Charles II himself, after attending a tournament at Bodmin whilst travelling to the Isles of Scilly, declared that the Cornish were "masters in the art of wrestling". During his reign, Cornish champion Tomas Hawken of Cubert famously defeated Lyttleton Weynorth, who had claimed to be the champion wrestler of "all England". Richard Carew, in his famous Survey of Cornwall (1602), noted that even the Breton neighbours of Cornwall could not match the Cornish in wrestling prowess circa 1590. The sport attracted participants from all walks of Cornish life—from Richard Stevens, headmaster of Truro Grammar School in the 17th century, to the renowned inventor Richard Trevithick. During the 18th and 19th centuries, major tournaments would run for an entire week, with crowds of upwards of 10,000 spectators gathering for finals and championship matches. Large sums of money changed hands as the county's finest wrestlers competed for glory and purse.

Today, Cornish Wrestling continues as a vibrant living tradition, with regular tournaments attracting competitors from across Cornwall and international guests from our Breton cousins. We maintain championship competitions across multiple weight categories—Featherweight (under 11 stones), Lightweight (under 12 stones), Middleweight (under 13 stones), Light-heavyweight (under 15 stones), and Heavyweight (open)—alongside flourishing junior programmes for young wrestlers.

Core values

Heritage and Authenticity: We maintain the traditional rules and customs that have defined Cornish Wrestling for centuries. The jacket wrestling style, the specific throws and techniques, and the emphasis on skill over brute strength all remain faithful to historical practice.

Community and Inclusivity: From its origins, Cornish Wrestling has been a sport for all—headmasters and inventors, farmers and tradesmen. We welcome wrestlers regardless of background, from complete beginners to seasoned champions.

Family Tradition: Wrestling tournaments remain family affairs, with competitions ranging from under-10s through to open heavyweight championships. Multiple generations often compete at the same event, passing skills and stories from parent to child.

Celtic Connections: We maintain strong ties with our Breton cousins, regularly exchanging visits and competing in festivals such as those at Belle-Isle-en-Terre, Lorient, and Guingamp. These connections remind us that Cornish Wrestling is part of a broader Celtic wrestling tradition.

Competitive Excellence: Whilst we value participation, we also celebrate competitive achievement. Our championship system across multiple weight categories ensures that wrestlers can compete fairly whilst striving for excellence.

Cultural Preservation: Every tournament, every throw, every new wrestler learning the art represents an act of cultural preservation. We are custodians of something precious—an unbroken martial tradition that stretches back to pre-Roman Britain.

Classes & training

The Cornish Wrestling Association organises training sessions and competitions throughout the year across Cornwall. Our season typically runs from June through November, with demonstrations and special events year-round.

Training approach

Training focuses on traditional Cornish Wrestling techniques including:

Proper gripping of the wrestling jacket
Classic throws ("backs") executed with skill and timing
Balance, positioning, and footwork
Understanding of traditional rules and customs
Competition strategy across different weight categories

Complete beginners are always welcome at our Novice competitions, where experienced wrestlers provide instruction and encouragement. Many of our current champions started as complete novices at village tournaments.

Instructors

The Cornish Wrestling Association is led by experienced wrestlers who have dedicated themselves to preserving and promoting this ancient Celtic martial art.

Championship pedigree

Our association boasts an impressive lineage of champions, with the Cawley family representing a particularly distinguished wrestling dynasty. Recent Cornish Heavyweight Champions include:

Ashley Cawley (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016)
Richard Cawley (2009, 2015, 2017, 2018)
Gerry Cawley (1983, 1984, 1991, 2002, 2007)
Simon Margetts (2019)

This championship heritage stretches back through decades of Cornish Wrestling history, connecting today's wrestlers with legends such as Francis Gregory (who won the Heavyweight Championship an extraordinary nine consecutive times from 1928-1936) and William Chapman (eight-time champion from 1937-1952).

Expertise

Our instructors bring comprehensive understanding of:

Traditional Techniques: Authentic Cornish Wrestling throws, grips, and strategies passed down through generations
Historical Context: Deep knowledge of the sport's 4,000-year history and cultural significance
Competition Experience: Extensive tournament participation at all levels, from local village competitions to championship finals
Youth Development: Proven track record of nurturing young talent through our comprehensive junior programme
Safety and Coaching: Modern coaching methods combined with traditional teaching, ensuring safe practice for all ages and abilities

Teaching philosophy

Our instructors emphasise that Cornish Wrestling is both a competitive sport and a cultural treasure. They work to ensure that every wrestler—whether a complete beginner at a Novice competition or an aspiring champion—understands not just the techniques, but the rich heritage they are participating in.

Training maintains the welcoming, community-focused atmosphere that has always characterised Cornish Wrestling. Instructors are accessible at tournaments, offering advice and encouragement to wrestlers of all levels. This informal, supportive approach has helped preserve the sport's accessibility whilst maintaining competitive standards.

International connections

Many of our senior wrestlers have competed in Brittany, maintaining the strong Celtic connections between Cornish and Breton wrestling traditions. These international exchanges enrich our understanding of the broader Celtic grappling heritage and strengthen cultural ties with our cousins across the Channel.

Continuous learning

Instructors remain students of the sport, constantly studying historical records, analysing championship matches, and discussing techniques with fellow wrestlers. This commitment to learning ensures that Cornish Wrestling continues to develop whilst remaining true to its traditional roots.