中国古代的角抵，亦称相扑，即后来的摔跤，是一项历史悠久的传统的体育项目，传说起源于黄帝时。在中国古代几千年历史中，这一活动形式既是军事训练的重要内容，又是社会上的一种娱乐项目，有着广泛的群众性，并在文化的交往中不断地流传国外，成为深具影响的传统体育活动。
Wrestling
Chinese wresting dates back to five thousand years ago, when the legendary Yellow Emperor used it to train his troops. Later it also developed into a competitive and recreational sport the civilians and the imperial court. Four some time it was called xiangpu-a tern identical in written form with the Japanese-style wrestling of sumo, which indicates the close cultural exchanges between China and its neighbouring countries in ancient times.
铜饰正中二人正作角抵状，从角抵者的形象看，反映的应是古代北方少数民族的摔跤活动。
A bronze engraving in the Warring States Period (475-221BC) excavated in 1955 in Chang'an County,shannxi Province. The wrestlers seem to belong to an ethnic group in northern China.
这是一幅反映在擂台上进行相扑比赛的画面。
A mural in Mogao No. 290 in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, built during the Northern Zhou Dynasty (557-581), showing a xiangpu (wrestling) contest conducted on a platform.
此画面形象地反映了两个力士相扑比赛的情景。
Wrestling in a mural at Chongshan Temple in Taiyuan, Shang Province, dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
这是一件捏塑作品，其中一孩童抓住对方的腰带，一孩童抱住对手的左腿，搂抱、摔打，形象生动逼真。
A porcelain figurine in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), showing two kids holding each other firmly in a wrestling bout---one by the belt and the other by the leg. Henan Museum.