WEIGHING IN- On The Issue Of Wrestling Weights

To guarantee no wrestler has a physical advantage over another, you will compete against a wrestler who is about the same weight as you. Your weight ultimately decides your opponent on competition day. Weights are divided into classifications, therefore a wrestler

who weighs 150 pounds will face other wrestlers who are near 150 pounds, rather than 190 pounds. In the following, we discuss weight categories and how the weigh-in process works before the competition.

Understanding weight classifications

All wrestling programs utilize weight classifications since they ensure the safety of all wrestlers by providing healthy weight gain and loss during the season and by ensuring you do not wrestle against other wrestlers two times your size. As part of its dedication to protecting wrestlers, the National Federation of State High School Association's Wrestling Rule Book mandates that each state implement a weight-control program designed to prevent excessive weight gain or loss. Ahead of the season, each high school wrestler needs to be approved by a state-certified assessor. Assessors analyze a wrestler's urine, weight, fat percentage, and hydration level. If the assessor concludes that the wrestler's body fat percentage and hydration percentage are within acceptable standards for their weight, they certify that wrestler's weight. A wrestler may fail a test, typically because their hydration level is too inadequate for their weight. A state weight assessor's responsibility is to ensure athletes are wrestling at a weight that is healthy for them. To determine your weight class, merely take your weight and round it up to the next class. For example, If you weigh 114 pounds in HIgh School you will wrestle in the 120-pound weight class.

Competition Day "Weigh-Ins."

You must weigh-in on an official scale at least one hour before the competition to qualify for your specific weight class. You cannot exceed your weight, not even an ounce, otherwise, you will not be able to compete that day. During weigh-ins, all wrestlers must report to a designated area. During weigh-ins, referees use a certified, calibrated scale, starting with the lightest weight class and progressing upward. When all the wrestlers in a specific weight class have weighed in, the referee closes that weight class and calls for the next weight class.

Male wrestlers are mandated to wear an undergarment that conceals their buttocks and groin, and female wrestlers are mandated to wear a garment that conceals their chest and groin area. Competitors who fail to make weight (overweight) during the weigh-in period are disqualified. You may be able to wrestle in one of the next two heavier weight classes depending on the tournament regulations.

When wrestlers used techniques like hot showers, saunas, training in garbage bags or plastic suits, starving themselves, ingesting diuretics that forced them to sweet and urinate, and other unsafe methods for quick weight loss, rules were implemented to prohibit these unsafe methods.

Bringing home the hardware

In writing these articles, we aim to educate our community and keep wrestlers safe, while raising the bar for the standards we set for wrestling. By preventing unhealthy weight loss measures, we can keep wrestlers safe and on the mat so they can bring home the hardware! Wrestling Savvy's mission is to educate the general public and the wrestling community at all levels. Your sharing, comments, and subscriptions are appreciated.