Wrestling

History of Wrestling

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports of all time, and in all cultures. With its roots in battle, it has been refined to a sport: a wrestler requires technique, skill, athleticism and strength, and wrestling is now recognised as an Olympic discipline.

EuroGames 2004 Style and Aim of the Sport

Style

Freestyle: grips from top to toe can be used.

Aim of the Sport

• To achieve a "fall": getting both the opponent´s shoulders pinned and held to the floor for a moment.
• Points (1-5) are also awarded according to skill and technique.

General Rules

The FILA rules apply with little exceptions, indicated in italic letters.

Equipment

A 9mx9m mat is used, with concentric zones indicated: the inner circle C, the central wrestling area B, the passive area D, and the outer ring A. There is a red and blue corner E reserved for the wrestlers between bouts.

Clothing

Special wrestling shoes and leotard, including a handkerchief, are required. Watches and jewellery must not be worn. Protective knee and ear pads are allowed. Wrestlers must be closely shaven or wear a beard of a few months´ growth.

Prohibited

Grips which might endanger the health of, or cause pain to, a wrestler are prohibited, including hitting, treading on, biting, strangling or bending of fingers, toes, sexual organs, ears, nose, mouth or throat. Drug testing will not be carried out, and in the interests of fair play we request participants not to take forbidden substances.

Length of bouts

Two 3-minute bouts with a 1-minute pause in-between, with a maximum of 2 minutes injury time allowed.

Adjudication

4 points are awarded to the winner and 0 points to the loser in case of a fall, technical superiority (10 point margin). If the loser has scored no match points or withdraws, or fails to appear when called to wrestle, disqualification of the opponent will follow for unsporting conduct.

4 points are awarded to the winner and 1 point to the loser in the case of technical superiority (10 point margin) if the loser has scored match points.

3 points for the winner and 1 point for the loser when the bout ends with a margin of 1 to 9 points and the loser scored at least one technical point.

3 points for the winner and 0 points for the loser when the bout ends with a margin of 1 to 9 points and the loser scored no technical points.

Eligibility

Eligible to compete are all those who were born after 1987. ID is required when weighing in: only men have to be naked when weighed, at which time only wrestlers or referees will be allowed in the weighing room, and wrestlers have the right to be weighed as often as they like.

Competitors must be in a healthy physical condition, and have well trimmed finger nails, checked at the weigh-in. If there are signs of illness, a doctor´s certificate (not older than 7 days) is required, affirming the competitor is not suffering from a contagious condition.

Hearing impaired athletes are most welcome.

Weight categories

Competition rules

Freestyle wrestling: In each category, wrestlers, from a 3- or 4-pool, will be paired. If there are 5 or fewer competitors, competitors will all wrestle with one another, as in a round robin competition. If there is only one wrestler in a weight category, s/he will be placed in an upper weight category.

The order of competitors will be established by the referee, with the final contest being decided by a referee and a judge and ultimately a mat chairperson. Referees wear white outfits with red and blue armbands, and use a whistle.

Competitors must be familiar with the rules and expressions of the judges, and abide by them.

Final standings

The top two competitors in each pool will be placed in the final, to establish first and second place, with the next best competitors in each pool competing for third and fourth place, and the third best in each pool competing for the fifth and sixth place. In the case of a round robin contest, all competitors will compete until the final round, unless injured. First place goes to the athlete who wins all or the most of her / his contests; if two athletes have the same number of victories, place will be determined by points.

Time table

Contact

e-mail: wrestling@eurogames.info