#RulesAndRegulations

Wrestling Announces Rules Modifications

Tuesday, February 2, 2021 - 21:04 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 2) -- United World Wrestling announced wrestling rules modifications, effective Feb. 1.

In Greco-Roman, a modification has been made to passivity governance, incorporating an option for a third par terre. 

The following procedure will be enforced:

• 1st passivity in a match (regardless which wrestler), active wrestler receives 1 point and can choose between standing or par terre wrestling (P).

• 2nd passivity in a match (regardless which wrestler), active wrestler receives 1 point and can choose between standing or par terre wrestling (P).

• 3rd and any further passivity in a match (regardless which wrestler), the bout is stopped and the active wrestler can choose between standing or parterre wrestling (P). The active wrestler will not be awarded with 1 point.

Other modifications were made to individual ranking criteria in individual competitions with less than 8 athletes (Nordic Tournament) and team ranking in team competitions.

For individual competitions with less than 8 athletes (Nordic Tournament), if two wrestlers in the same group have an equal number of victories, their direct match will determine the ranking.

For team ranking in team competitions, if two teams have an equal number of team points, their direct match will determine the ranking.

For the complete set of rules, visit the UWW website.
 

UWW updates competition guidelines for Russia, Belarus wrestlers

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 09:06 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 27) -- United World Wrestling will allow wrestlers from Russia and Belarus to compete under their respective national flags up to the U23 age level.

The decision follows a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee that youth athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports should no longer face restrictions on participation in sports events, both individual and team.

The UWW Bureau met last week to discuss the same and decided to implement the IOC recommendation at the U15, U17, U20 and U23 levels.

Russian and Belarusian wrestlers will now compete under their national flags and country initials, “RUS” and “BLR,” respectively. National anthems of both countries will be played at medal ceremonies at UWW events if their wrestlers win gold medals or if a team wins the team championship.

All other standard UWW protocols will be followed at competitions in accordance with international wrestling rules.

Russia

Last year, UWW had updated its criteria for eligible wrestlers and staff from the two countries, allowing them to participate under UWW flag at all competitions.

Despite the updated recommendations, both the IOC and UWW stress that all athletes and their support staff must continue to uphold the Olympic Movement’s mission of promoting unity and peace.

The latest IOC guidance means the March 2023 recommendations regarding Russia and Belarus are no longer mandatory for youth events.

However, the IOC maintains that no government officials from Russia or Belarus should be accredited or invited to international sports events or meetings for either senior or youth competitions.

It also said that International Federations should refrain from organizing or supporting international sports events in Russia, while this recommendation no longer applies to Belarus.