About
About
Aim of the game
Two wrestlers grapple with each other in a defined area, each attempting to manoeuvre their opponent into point-scoring holds and throws, forcing their opponent’s shoulders on to the mat, or a match-winning fall
Why should you watch this?
Technique, stamina and brute strength are all on display in this fast-paced version of a centuries-old sport, in which athletes compete in the purest sense, with no equipment and no hitting, and a surprisingly noble code of conduct
Venues
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Challenge
Each wrestler is allowed one video challenge per match – if the jury agrees, the challenge can be used again, if not, the challenge is lost and the other wrestler receives a point
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Suplex
Throw in which a wrestler lifts his opponent high while falling backwards on his own neck to a bridge in order to bring his opponent's shoulders down to the mat
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High-amplitude takedown
A high-scoring throw (worth five points) in which the opponents feet go above the head
Impress your friends
Rules
Matches are contested over two periods of three minutes, with a break of 30 seconds. Points are awarded for specific moves. Elbowing, striking with knees, strangulation, eye-pokes and hair-pulling are all forbidden.
Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestlers are allowed to use any part of their body to attempt moves, locks, holds and takedowns.
A win by ‘fall’ (or ‘pin’) is achieved when both of the opponent’s shoulders are forced on to the mat at the same time.
A win by ‘technical fall’ is achieved when one wrestler gains a 10-point advantage, at which point they are declared the winner.
If neither type of fall is achieved, the wrestler who scores the most points during the bout is the winner.
Greco-Roman wrestling
Athletes may only use their arms and upper body to defend or attack, with use of the legs and low-blows (below the waist) prohibited.
A win by ‘fall’ (or ‘pin’) is achieved when both of the opponent’s shoulders are forced on to the mat at the same time.
A win by ‘technical fall’ is achieved when one wrestler gains an eight-point advantage, at which point they are automatically declared the winner.
If neither fall is achieved, the wrestler who scores the most points during the bout is the winner.
Officials
The referee controls the action, the judge keeps the score and the mat chairman oversees the referee and judge and declares technical superiority when necessary.
Three expert judges evaluate the referee’s calls in case of a challenge – when a coach contests the referee’s decision.
Mat
The action takes place in the circular dark blue wrestling area, which is surrounded by the orange ‘passivity area’ – if the wrestlers enter this, the referee orders them back to the centre. The blue part of the mat outside this circle is out of bounds.
Stats
Top Medalists
| Men | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
GER
Wilfried Dietrich
|
1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
|
UZB
Artur Taymazov
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
|
RUS
Aleksandr Karelin
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
| Women | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
JPN
Kaori Icho
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
|
JPN
Saori Yoshida
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
|
UKR
Irini Merleni
|
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
