New international Greco-Roman wrestling rules to be used during World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa, Jun

Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
06/09/2005

USA Wrestling has announced that the new rules of Greco-Roman wrestling recently announced by the international wrestling federation will be used during the World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa on June 18-19. The World Team Trials is the qualifying event for the U.S. team that will compete in the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 26-Oct. 2. FILA, the international wrestling federation, posted a document entitled “New System of Greco-Roman Wrestling Bout” on its web page. The memo is dated May 30, 2005, and was received by USA Wrestling June 8. FILA notified all wrestling federations that these new rules are to be implemented immediately. The entire FILA document describing the new rules can be found at: http://www.themat.com/pressbox/pressdetail.asp?aid=12477 The rule changes provide for wrestling in the par terre position (on the mat) to occur after one minute of each period. This is a new procedure which has not been used in international wrestling in the past. These rules were recently implemented at the Asian Wrestling Championships, after which FILA published the official notice of the rule changes. All Greco-Roman wrestlers and their coaches who will be participating in the World Team Trials should be aware that the new international rules will be used in Ames. USA Wrestling strongly suggests that all Greco-Roman participants read the new procedures and implement them into their training prior to the World Team Trials. Athletes and coaches who have questions can contact USA Wrestling National Teams Director Mitch Hull at 719-598-8181 or via e-mail at mhull@usawrestling.org