COMING MAY 1: USA WRESTLING’S FIRST BEACH WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Submitted by: E.Goldman/Boxing & Wrestling Editor
Posted On 02/09/2005
The following is not a joke, and the date of the event is May 1, and not April 1.
USA Wrestling has announced that it will hold what it calls its first National Open Beach Wrestling Championships on May 1, beginning the day after the 2005 U.S. National Wrestling Championships in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s wrestling in Las Vegas.
Here are the press releases, taken from the USOC Press Box site:
USA Wrestling to hold historic first Beach Wrestling Nationals in Las Vegas, May 1 st
by Gary Abbott – USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling has set plans to hold its first National Open Beach Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sunday, May 1.
This is the day after the conclusion of the U.S. National Wrestling Championships. The National Open Beach Wrestling Championships will be held Sunday morning, at a site and time to be announced. Those interested in competing should visit TheMat.com (http://www.themat.com/) for complete information on the event when it becomes available.
Those who will be traveling to Las Vegas for the U.S. Nationals and wish to participate in the Beach Wrestling Nationals should arrange their travel schedule in order to allow time to compete on Sunday.
Beach wrestling is the newest form of international wrestling. FILA, the international wrestling federation, announced the creation of this new style of wrestling during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
There will be two divisions for the Beach Wrestling competition, Senior and Junior. Juniors are ages 16-18 (Born 1987-1989) and Seniors are ages 19 and older (Born 1986 or before). There will be competition for both men and women.
There are no weigh-ins for beach wrestling. Participants will be divided based upon estimated mass into two divisions: Light division and Heavy division.
Entry fee will be $30 per person. Awards will be provided to the top four placewinners in every division. Participants must be members of USA Wrestling, or can purchase a membership card at registration.
For the Senior division only, prize money will be distributed based upon the number of entries per weight class. The top three placewinners in each division will receive prize money.
USA Wrestling has developed detailed regulations concerning the rules and procedures for the National Open Beach Wrestling Championships. These will be available online by visiting TheMat.com.
Regulations, rules and schedule for Beach Wrestling Nationals
by Gary Abbott – USA Wrestling
BEACH WRESTLING REGULATIONS FOR MEN AND WOMEN
ENTRY: The OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANK must be accurately completed and filed at registration. Entry fee is $30 per person. Please make checks payable to ‘USA Wrestling.’
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: Attractive awards to the top four (4) place winners in each weight division.
PRIZE MONEY (Senior Division ONLY): Prize money will be distributed based on the number of entries per weight class. Total prize money per weight class will be divided the following way. Champion will receive 40% plus original entry fee, Second place will receive 25% plus original entry, and Third place will receive 15% plus original entry.
MEDICAL INFORMATION: Athletes must be present in competition attire and must submit to a skin disease screening prior registration. The chief medical officer has full authority without appeal in determining the eligibility of an athlete to compete. In the event of injury or illness, no contestant will be permitted to continue the competition without approval of the Chief Medical Officer, whose decision is final and not subject to appeal.
SCHEDULE:
Sunday, May 1 Start Finish
Registration/Medical Check 9:00 am 10:00 am
Tournament Setup 10:00 am 10:30 am
Rules Clinic 10:15 am 10:30 am
Preliminaries through Finals 10:30 am Conclusion (Approximately 4:00 pm)
Age Groups
JUNIORS – 16 to 18 yrs. Old (Born in 1987 — 1989)
SENIORS – 19 yrs old and older (Born in 1986 or before)
Weight categories
There is no weigh-ins for beach wrestling events. Participants are divided by estimated mass as follows:
The director of the event divides the participants into two (2) divisions *:
– Light division
– Heavy division
* The number of competitors will be divided to provide two divisions of even numbered competitors when possible. EX. 30 Competitors: 16 participants in light division and 14 participants in heavy division.
Kind of competition
The National Open Beach Wrestling Championship is open to any athlete with current USA Wrestling membership and who meets the established age requirements.
Uniform
Men – Athletic Swimming Trunks without visible strings, buckles, or other accessories.
Women – One or two piece bathing suits for women.
– Covering the body with an oily and slippery substance is prohibited.
Competition surface
Sand surface with 20 foot diameter circle.
Length of Matches
One period with a maximum three (3) minutes in length.
Bracketing
Single elimination line bracket with semi-final losers wrestling for 3rd and 4th place.
Athletes will be identified using red and green angle bands.
Officiating
A referee shall officiate each bout and his/her decisions are final without protest.
Ways to win bout
‘Beach Wrestling’ is conducted only in the standing position. A victory can be obtained in the following manner:
Fall – A fall occurs when a wrestler touches both opponents’ shoulders on the sand for a count of one-thousand one.
Two (2) Takedowns – A takedown occurs when a wrestler has succeeded in securing control of their opponent in the down position with at least one knee touching. Scored similar to a regular takedown in Freestyle/Greco-Roman wrestling. If a takedown is executed two (2) times within the bout by one wrestler, that shall constitute a victory. If the attacking wrestler puts one or both knees on the ground during the attack he/she will not be penalized.
Two (2) Throws – A throw occurs when a wrestler throws an opponent to his/her back from the standing position. If a wrestler executes two (2) throws within the bout he/she will be declared the winner. The attacking wrestler can put one or both knees on the ground without penalty.
Fleeing – Fleeing the competition area where a wrestler steps one (1) foot out of the circle first will be penalized. If a wrestler has been penalized two (2) times for fleeing the competition area he/she loses the bout.
Takedown and Fleeing – By combining a takedown and fleeing the competition area penalty against opponent.
Throw and Fleeing – By combining a throw and fleeing the competition area penalty against opponent.
Decision – At the end of three (3) minutes the wrestler who has scored a takedown or throw will be determined the winner. The criteria is as follows:
1) First takedown or throw executed in the bout
2) First wrestler penalized for fleeing the competition area in the bout
3) Penalties
4) Officials decision
Officials Decision – At the end of three (3) minutes if no takedown, throw or fleeing has been awarded. Then the referee will declare a winner based on who he/she feels executed more scoring attempts and control of the bout.
Penalty/Warnings/Disqualification
Kick or punch – If a wrestler kicks or punches an opponent they will receive a warning the first time. If the kick or punch was flagrant then the wrestler will be disqualified. If a wrestler is warned a second time they will be disqualified.
Attacking the face or pulling hair – If a wrestler attacks the face or pulls the hair of an opponent they will receive a warning the first time. If a wrestler is warned a second time they will be disqualified.
Time Outs and match stoppages will only occur at the direction of referee after a scoring maneuver, fleeing, penalty or holds that can lead to a dislocation.
Stopping the match for any other reason is forbidden.
Wrestling Gear
