Titáxiduth & Rasmus Horn

Titáxiduth (/titɐ xiðuθ/ - back-grip) is Old Whitmountian wrestling. Titáxiduth is similar to back-hold wrestling, the most popular form of folk wrestling in Escocia, of which many regions were under Norwegian rule or colonization until the 13th century.

Whitmountian Titáxiduth relies on brute strength, and there are no throws, swings or any manoeuvres which off-balance the opponent that are allowed. The wrestlers clasp their hands behind the opponent's back and they then try to sway the opponent back until he falls. Titáxiduth is a contest of strength, not of skilful techniques and agility, and many players retire before they are 30 due to injury.

Above you can see a picture of Rasmus Horn, who was one of the most highly regarded Titáxiduth players of all time. Born in 1855 to a peasant family, he rose to prominence after The Frail King saw him wrestle three of his best men to the ground. He was unusual for a Titáxiduth practitioner, as he worked until his untimely death at the age of 47, being unbeaten for most of that time. By the time of his death in 1902, Horn owed a large amount of debt to the Dirdåxut, also called the Whitmountian Mafia. His drinking problem had spiralled out of control and his wife of 14 years, Irene Campo, had died in child birth. On the morning of October 17th, 1902, Horn’s body was found in his bathtub; the water was still running and his throat had been slit. A note was found on his bedside in his writing that rea, “To IC, I am with you now, away from drink and people.”