Beach wrestling

Wrestling Announces Creation of Beach Wrestling World Series

By Eric Olanowski

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (August 23) -- United World Wrestling, the international governing body for the sport of wrestling, has announced details behind The Beach Wrestling World Series. 

The creation of the Beach Wrestling World Series contributes to the structuring and promotion of Beach Wrestling to include the sport in all official multi-sport events.  

Senior-level competitions will be comprised of eight weight categories divided equally amongst men and women. The four men’s weight classes are 70kg, 80kg, 90kg, and +90kg, and the four women’s weight classes are 50kg, 60kg, 70kg, and +70kg.

Beach Wrestling matches will consist of a single three-minute period and will only practice the standing position where the use of the legs are allowed in all actions.


Each bout will begin with both wrestlers standing opposite one another in the in the neutral position in the center of the 7-meter circle, waiting for the referee’s whistle to start wrestling. If the match is interrupted for any reason, action will resume in the neutral position in the center of the circle. 

Wrestlers will be award one (1), or three (3) points using the following criteria: 

One (1) point is the awarded to:
• the wrestler who manages to bring any of his opponent’s body part to the ground, except the hands.
• the wrestler who manages to bring any of his opponent’s body part out of the competition area.
• the wrestler whose opponent has received a caution for illegal action.

Note: the attacker (and only the attacker) can put one knee to the ground when executing an action if this action is finished by the opponent in the ground.

Three (3) points are awarded to:
• the wrestler who manages to expose his opponent’s back to the ground during a takedown or a throw.

Cautions for illegal actions award one (1) point to the opponent up to a total of 3 points during the same match, which results in the end of the match.

The first athlete to three (3) points wins the match. If there is a tie at the end of the match, the following criteria will be used to declare the winner: 

  • The highest value of holds
  • Last point scored
  • Weight of the athletes*
  • The lowest number pulled during the draw/rank

*Their weights (at the official weigh-in) will be checked and the lighter (lightweight) one will be declared as the winner. 

The 2018 Beach Wrestling World Championships in Sarıgerme-Ortaca (Mugla), Turkey on October 6-7 will be the first Beach Wrestling World Series event and will serve as a qualification tournament for the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games which will be held on San Diego’s Mission Beach from October 12-14. 

#development

Strength Through Solidarity: Palestine, Jordan Partnership Strengthens Wrestling Development

By United World Wrestling Press

AMMAN, Jordan (February 10) -- A two-week wrestling development program aimed at strengthening wrestling in Palestine concluded on January 25, marking the completion of the first phase of the Development of National Sport System (DNSS) in Wrestling framework. 

The program, held from January 11 to 25 in Amman, Jordan, brought together 17 Palestinian participants, including athletes and coaches. The initiative was organized through a partnership between Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling, with logistical and technical support from the Jordan Wrestling Federation.

The coaching course and training camp were delivered by Hassan MADANY (EGY) and Ahmed KHEDHRI (TUN), both UWW-certified educators and wrestling experts in the region.

Palestine

The training course featured a combination of classroom instruction and on-mat technical training, designed to advance coaching standards while improving wrestling performance. The program also included practical teaching sessions, during which participants learned how to introduce and teach new skills using key factors and Discovery Games, supported by continuous evaluation to monitor learning progress.

Practical training emphasized foundational wrestling skills, including stance, movement, and level transitions. Participants practiced core offensive and defensive techniques, including single-leg and double-leg takedowns, grip control, sprawls, and pinning combinations.

The program also incorporated instructional methodology workshops, where participants practiced introducing new techniques using structured teaching models and game-based learning strategies, supported by continuous performance assessments.

The theoretical component covered wrestling fundamentals, including rules, terminology and technical principles, alongside broader athlete welfare subjects such as safety protocols, risk management, safeguarding measures and anti-doping education. Other sessions also explored coaching communication strategies and methods for identifying performance indicators critical to technical development, particularly for youth and beginner athletes.

Palestine

United World Wrestling Asia Council President Mohammad AWAMLEH and Palestine Wrestling Federation President Firas DOUDIN attended the program. 

"I express my sincere appreciation to Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling for their continued support of the Olympic Development Program," Doudin said. "It plays an important role in strengthening wrestling structures in Palestine. I thank the educators for their professionalism and commitment, as well as the Jordan Wrestling Federation and the UWW Asian Council leadership for their support and cooperation."

Participants described the course as a valuable learning experience, highlighting the quality of instruction, the balance between theory and practice, and the progressive on-mat training approach.

Palestine

The execution of the program marks a crucial step in developing coaching and wrestling in Palestine, demonstrates solidarity, and reflects UWW’s commitment to sustainable wrestling development worldwide.