#Tokyo2020

IOC Confirms Wrestling's Qualification Process

By United World Wrestling Press

The International Olympic Committee Executive Committee just approved the Wrestling Qualification System for Tokyo 2020. United World Wrestling is one of the first International Federations that updated its Qualification System for Tokyo 2020.

The main principles and rules will remain the same. As mentioned earlier to all the National Wrestling Federations, Morocco, Hungary and China will keep the organization of the Continental Qualifiers and Bulgaria will organize the World Qualification.

We are very happy to be able to announce the next steps towards the Olympic Games for all the athletes. They will have clear understanding of the qualification process and be able to adjust their preparation to achieve their goal – be qualified for the Games.

The main change in that document is the eligibility to attend the Olympic Games. The athletes who will turn 18 years old (2003) in 2021 will be allowed to compete in the Qualifiers and in the Olympic Games.

You will be able to find the complete Qualification System on our Website - https://unitedworldwrestling.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/200428_final_qs_wrestling.pdf

#WrestleZagreb

UWW to continue tests for Greco-Roman tie-breaker rule

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (June 19) — The Technical Commission of United World Wrestling has decided to further test the tie-breaking rule for Greco-Roman bouts that end with a 1-1 score.

UWW had announced in March that it would test a new Greco-Roman rule at the European Championships in April. This rule awarded victory in a 1-1 Greco-Roman bout to the wrestler who scored the first technical point.

Testing at the European Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia yielded positive results. However, to fully evaluate the rule, the Commission agreed to conduct further tests at more events.

Beginning with the U15 European Championships in Caorle, Italy from June 25, all future events till the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia will be conducted under the new rule which awards the victory to the wrestler who scored the first technical point if the match ends 1-1. This means that the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb will be part of the testing.

The change comes after it was unanimously acknowledged that the existing rule, which awards victory to the athlete who scores the last point, may unintentionally encourage passivity at the start of the bout. Wrestlers could strategically aim to secure a passivity point in the second period, ultimately winning the match without demonstrating consistent engagement throughout.

UWW once again stresses that the modification will be implemented exclusively for Greco-Roman and will apply only to matches that end with a 1-1 score. For all other score scenarios, the existing wrestling rules will remain in effect.