Judo vs Greco-Roman Wrestling

Which Is Harder?

Both are very difficult to learn and specialize in, as some say Judo could be harder because it’s based on the principle of yielding, and in order to use this principle effectively, you need to have a good understanding of balance and timing.

Greco-Roman wrestling is based on the principle of control, which means using your opponent’s own strength against them. This principle is a little easier to learn and master than the principle of yielding.

Moreover, Judo has many more techniques than Greco-Roman wrestling, so it may be harder to learn all of them.

Which Is More Effective for Self-Defense?

In reality, street fights are very different from what you see in movies, and frequently, the person being attacked will end up embracing another person or falling with him to the ground, and that is where the main fighting takes place.

As Judo specializes in ground fighting, it has a higher priority in street fighting than Greco-Roman.

In addition, judo submission techniques are also much more significant and relevant in street fight situations

So it is clear that in this comparison – Judo is the winner

Equipment Differences

As mentioned before, Judoka wears a Gi (Judo suit), while Greco-Roman wrestlers wear singlets. The main difference between the two pieces of clothing is that the Gi is much baggier and allows for a wider range of movement, while the singlet is tighter and restricts movement.

This means that Judo allows for a greater range of movement and is better for ground fighting, while Greco-Roman restricts movement and is better for takedowns.

Also, the required gear for judo is much more affordable than the gear required for Greco Roman, when it usually comes down to a suit + belt, mouth guard (optional), hand wraps (optional), and a training bag.

On the other hand, Greco-Roman wrestling requires a singlet, a mouth guard, head protector or ear guard, wrestling shoes, a groin protector, an elbow pad, and a training bag.

Rules Differences

The rules of Judo are significantly different from the rules of Greco-Roman wrestling. The two main differences are that in Judo, you can attack your opponent’s legs and feet, and you can throw your opponent to the ground. In Greco-Roman wrestling, you cannot attack your opponent’s legs or feet, and you cannot throw them to the ground.

Judo also has a scoring system that is based on points, while Greco-Roman wrestling does not have a scoring system.

So, in general, the rules of Judo make it a more versatile martial art than Greco-Roman wrestling.

Which Is More Popular?

Judo is more popular than Greco-Roman wrestling in most countries, including the United States. This is likely because Judo is a more versatile martial art and also because there are other types of wrestling, like Folkstyle (which is taught in colleges) or Freestyle wrestling that are more popular than Greco-Roman which makes Greco-Roman less popular in general among wrestling types as well.

However, Greco-Roman wrestling is more popular in some countries (e.g. Russia) than Judo, so it really depends on where you live and what the local preferences are.

Which Is More Dangerous?

In general, Judo is seen as a more dangerous martial art than Greco-Roman wrestling because it specializes in ground fighting and has more submission techniques. It combines a variety of hand and leg locks which increase the chances of an injury.

This is not to say that Greco-Roman wrestling is not dangerous – it certainly can be – but judo is perceived as more dangerous because its injury rate is higher and this is because of the techniques included in it.

It is therefore important to remember (it’s relevant to all martial arts) to practice according to your level and not to try complicated and dangerous exercises if you are not skilled in them and/or you are not under the supervision of an instructor.

The moves of Greco-Roman wrestling as well as of Judo are complex and must be performed carefully and in a safe environment

It is also important to perform the exercises when the body is “warm”.

Do Judo and Greco-roman in the Olympics?

Yes, Judo and Greco-Roman wrestling are both Olympic sports. Judo has been an Olympic sport since the 1968 Summer Olympics, while Greco-Roman Wrestling has been an Olympic sport since the 1896 Summer Olympics.

This means that there is a long history of these sports being part of the Olympics and that they are both considered to be “traditional” Olympic sports.

So, Which Is Better?

Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. Judo is very versatile, with a wide range of throws and holds. It is perfect for those who want a well-rounded martial arts experience. Greco-Roman Wrestling, on the other hand, is perfect for those who want to focus on takedowns and throws. It is a very powerful art and is great for athletes looking to compete in wrestling competitions.

What Should I Learn?

If you are interested in learning martial art, then we would recommend that you learn Judo. Judo is more versatile than Greco-Roman wrestling, and it also has a scoring system that makes it more interesting to compete in.

Additionally, the required gear for Judo is more affordable than the gear required for Greco-Roman. Also, Judo is more popular and has many great schools around the world and it could be significantly more effective for self-defense purposes.

However, there are many also great schools for Greco-Roman wrestling around the world, and it is also an Olympic sport. So, if you are interested in wrestling and want to compete at a high level, then Greco-Roman wrestling may be a better option for you.

But ultimately, it depends on your interests and what you want to get out of martial arts training.