Tristran, I can tell you, was adept at every game and pastime – chess, backgammon,
dice. At hunting in wood and river he was more skilled than any man; if he turned his
hand to juggling tricks he surpassed them all; when it came to swordsmanship no one
could compare; as for wrestling, he threw and pinned down every knight at court! He
was tested by the finest and beat them all!
When Sir Gawain saw him getting the better of everyone, he wanted to try his strength
against him in a wrestling bout. In private, in a chamber in his house well away from
watching eyes, they went and wrestled with all their strength. They strained and flushed,
took many a tumble, for both were strong and tough indeed. But Tristran was the better
wrestler, and with a deft sweep of his knee he brought Gawain down and had him
pinned beneath him: he fell on his belly with such force that he nearly crushed him.
Then he jumped straight up again, and with a good-natured laugh he pressed his hand
on the clasp at Gawain’s breast and said:
‘What do you make of my wrestling, Sir Gawain? You’ve seen enough to judge! You
had me down just now, but you’re the boss!’
Gawain stood up and smiled, and said to Tristran, with warm affection: ‘Yes, I had
you down – right on my belly! I tell you, I’m never going to take you on again – you
nearly finished me! You’re a far better wrestler than I!’

Gerbert's Continuation of Perceval