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Breton Wrestling
(Gouren)
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Gouren (La Lutte Bretagne) or Breton Wrestling is a very old sport, confirmed by old texts, engravings, sculptures and statues in various Celtic countries.
It was revived in the Armorique area of Brittany by Bretons at the time of their migration to Brittany; and became very popular in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. In 1455, when Duke Pierre II went to greet the king of France in at Bourges, he was accompanies by a group of “lutteurs”, reputedly Olivier de Rostrenen, Guion de Kerguivis, Olivier de Kenec' hriou, etc.
In 1520, François 1st challenged Henri VIII to a wrestle, and it is reported that the King of France, who was a good solid fighter, gave him a thrashing.
Until with the Revolution, Gouren continued to entertain the crowds. From the 19th century (post Revolution) the sport was restricted to the rural areas of Low-Brittany.
Doctor Cotonnec, rejuvenated the sport in 1930, since when it has become popular with the young people in Brittany and beyond. The intention is for Gouren to be as popular as judo, karate, etc.
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