Martial Journal Spotlight: Glima Grandmaster Lars Magnar Enoksen

Lars Magnar Enoksen: Firstly, it is I who should say thanks, for showing interest in Glima. The journey probably started as a young kid, since I have been doing sportive activities all my life. Nonetheless, I was introduced to Glima on Iceland 1989, when making research to write an article about modern Sports Glima for a martial arts magazine called “Fighter International”. It was a lucky coincident though, that two grandmasters, born 1901 and 1911, at the same time tried inspiring the younger practitioners to learn older and more authentic Glima (Lausa-tök, Combat Glima). Sadly enough, they had gotten negative responses from almost everybody, so when I questioned them about the ancient Viking style of Glima, they approached me and made a deal with me. They agreed to teach me Lausa-tök (the combat Glima style, which became prohibited 1916 due to its rough self-defense techniques), if I promised to do my utmost to master all aspects and then hand over the knowledge to future generations. Of course, that was easier said than done, especially since their teachings were based on testing it out on hooligans and street-fighters to quickly understand what works or not. It is mainly the defensive arm-movements that are learned this way, an excellent tutoring I might add. Furthermore, my masters (Þorsteinn Einarsson 1911–2001 and Þorsteinn Kristjansson 1901–1991) encouraged me to seek opposition from other martial art styles, with the purpose of making me as unprepared as possible for their fighting patterns. With that being said, I should also add that I waited until I had practiced the art for 15 years until promoting Combat Glima openly. The reason for that, was that the basic techniques were taught to me by older people (80 and 90 years old), so I needed to understand them in full speed action to be able to teach it to others. Now, that I am achieving an more experienced age, I feel very grateful being taught the basic techniques that require minimal energy consuming movements and are still most efficient. Sure! Old masters prefer to end fights as quickly and rough as possible… Alongside my Lausa-tök experiences, I constantly trained Trouser-grip (Belt-style) and Back-hold Glima, reaching the level of National and All-Scandinavian Champion in the 1990s. I continued competing in National Tournaments until 2006, when retiring after winning my sixth Championship title.

Characteristics of Glima

Glima as I understand, is an old martial art with unbroken traditions and little if no connection to other arts. That being said, do you think Glima is strictly unique in its workings or does it have aspects that are similar to other styles of grappling, wrestling etc?

Lars Magnar Enoksen: Glima is very similar to any other wrestling styles that uses throws and tripping techniques to conquer the opponent. So the uniqueness is mostly in its fighting concept, rather than the actual techniques. For instance, in Combat Glima, the basic law/rule is that it is better to be last man standing than being beaten on the ground. Therefore we always speed up the action when being thrown, with the main objective to wrestle free from any conquering holds and stand up as quickly as possible. The basis of this concept, is that Lausa-tök Glima originally taught skills to survive battle-field reality, where lying on the ground was not a healthy place to experience. The same principles exists in current street-fighting, where the true maltreatment commences when the bystanders begins kicking the grounded person.

As you yourself have said; as well as the old Nordic Eddas, Icelandic Sagas and as well as medieval Norwegian and Icelandic law books; there are three forms of glima: Lausatök, Hryggspenna and Brókartök. Lausatök means free-grip, Hryggspenna means back-hold, and Brókartök means trouser-grip glima which has become a considerably popular form of sport glima in Sweden and Iceland today. How is Trouser-Grip Glima different and how has it been adapted as a modern sport? Are there regularly held competitions?

Lars Magnar Enoksen: Trouser-grip Glima became a modern sport in the 1880s and the Glima-belts were introduced around 1906 to allow a better wrestling-hold on the opponent, than trousers provided. Yes, there regularly held National and All-Scandinavian competitions and this form is the most technical of all the three Glima styles.

Could you give us some more information on the tricks, basics or key components of at least one of the above Glima styles?

Lars Magnar Enoksen: Since I seldom experience insightful Glima interviews, I will take the opportunity to explain the similarities and differences of all three styles. As indicated by their names, Trouser-grip and Back-hold uses fixed wrestling holds, while Free-grappling/Lausa-tök allows any grip on the body. Back-hold is the most strength consuming style and Trouser-grip the most agile, but their throwing and tripping concepts are almost identical. Lausa-tök (Combat Glima) has the head/neck as major attack-point, hence most of the techniques prefer constant and extreme force directed to this area. In advanced Combat Glima, we allow eye-gouging and slapping as well. The reason why we don’t do submission, is that we don’t believe there is time enough to do it in a real fight where multiple opponents are involved. Moreover, the Vikings didn’t had a sign for “I give up”, since it meant you were already dead.

As a renowned writer and artist particularly in the area of Heathen Norse Traditions, your books which often feature the very best information about Glima, Runes and Galdrs gives readers insight about the cultural, spiritual and physical traditions of the North. Is it your belief that mental and spiritual awareness is important to Glima as it is in arts such as those originating from the orient? If so what does the spirit of Glima look like to the practitioner? (eg, fluid like water, rough and violent. The embodiment of peace or the spirit of rage.)

Lars Magnar Enoksen: The spiritual aspects in Glima do not help you win a fight, unless it is done to enhance more power than seems physical possible. This method is an oral affirmation (Incantation) called “Galdra/Galdr”, which can also be done by using a Rune-like symbol. Nonetheless, most people interested in the higher aspects of Glima, haven’t the basic fighting skills of a champion, so they lack the capability to understand esoteric techniques. Moreover, many people have a distorted appreciation of Runes or Galdrs and never change their warped ideas. Thus everybody should master the physical techniques first, as they are more beneficial to achieve. Otherwise, the Glima-Galdrs have alike legacy as the Berserkir-Galdr, created to survive battle-field reality and attaining the courage to break though enemy lines.

Glima Today

Being a woman, I always find myself curious as to the participation of women in martial arts. Are there any important female figures in Glima today?

Lars Magnar Enoksen: Yes, of course. Currently the best female Glima wrestlers are found in Norway and Switzerland. Before that, two-three decades ago, there were many good Glima-women in Iceland, Sweden and France. The same goes for male wrestlers, where the best were found in Sweden and Iceland, but nowadays the interest is greater in Norway, Finland, Switzerland, France, Australia and USA, even if the technical skills are not as good as before.

What is the state of Glima today in regards to growth, popularity and practice?

Lars Magnar Enoksen: Glima is not a well-known fighting style, so the interest is still almost non-existent compared to other martial arts. The slight popularity is mainly due to an increasing interest in Viking culture. Hence we are experiencing a growing fame on a primitive level, since most modern practitioners mainly do sparring sessions within the Glima rules. There are very few practitioners that actually want to learn the art, so the technique level is quite poor.

When westerners think of Martial Arts, many of us think solely of the martial arts of the Orient and rarely imagine martial arts occurring anywhere else per my last article NAWA: A Native American Warrior Art. Do you think this is an issue all over the world or just the U.S?

Lars Magnar Enoksen: Nope, that it is only an issue for stupid, lazy and un-educated people. Even if we live in an era where incredibly accessible information are spread on the Internet, it is astonishing how little is commonly known about native traditional martial arts in the Western world. But as always, useful information has never been free of charge. So if no personal and insightful efforts are made, most people are doomed to let fools rule and deliver their information-flow. Believe me, as an author as profession, I definitely know the value of providing desirable information to a book-buying audience.

My last and final question. Glima is a rare martial art and warrior heritage with its origins far away from the U.S.A. Is there a way you recommend aspiring Glima practitioners to begin their Glima journey and carry on the flame of Viking tradition?

Lars Magnar Enoksen: To be totally honest, most people that approaches me through the Internet only have a superficial interest in the art. It is a waste of time communicating with narrow-minded people believing Glima is already practiced near their home. Sure! We have an enormous lack of good certified instructors, but if not willing to travel where the International seminars are held, there is tiny hope of learning Glima the true traditional way. Nevertheless, this year I will do Glima seminars in France, Colombia, Missouri, Norway, and the Netherlands so feel welcome to attend.

Thank you so much for answering my questions Lars. You are a true inspiration to writers, artists, musicians and martial artists alike. Your work has gone far in inspiring people to take the reigns of life and fearlessly travel into the unknown, to try new things, push past their limits and discover the warrior within.

Lars Magnar Enoksen: Thanks again! And yes, as long as there is enough encouraging response in my work, I will keep the positive energy flowing…

Let’s Hear from You

Do you have any experiences with European fighting styles? Let me know in the comments below!.

Interested in Glima and the heathen Norse traditions? Just click the following links!:

Glima USA: founded by Danny Hoskins and Briston Lowry to spread the Scandinavian Martial Art of Glima throughout America. http://glimausa.com/

Lars Magnar Enoksen https://www.larsmagnarenoksen.com/

(Photos. All rights reserved © Jarmo Majorin)

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bethanyjuned

Bethany Dillon

Bethany Dillon is an author of historical non-fiction including War-Torn: A Look At Warfare In North America Before European Influence, Courage In Our Hearts and War-Torn Part II: The Arrival. She is a martial arts instructor in Teovels Original Balintawak Arnis (WOTBAG), Apprentice Instructor in Native American Warrior Arts and Student in Irish Stick Fighting of the Antrim tradition, and Esgrima Criolla and other arts under Danny Hoskins. She is also a level 3 part 2 student in Inosanto Kali, Silat and Jeet Kune Do/Jun Fan Gung Fu under the Inosanto Academy affiliated Apex Martial Arts Academy by Joe Craig, Tim Williams, Ritche Gumahin, and Eric Jiminez. She is an avid writer, weapons enthusiast and historical researcher who loves archery, kayaking, martial arts seminars and competing in Atlatl competitions.

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