🏛️Official — UWW
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Combat Sports
1 players
indoor
glove, mat
10 essential rules
United World Wrestling (UWW) is the global governing body for amateur wrestling (Olympic Freestyle + Greco-Roman) — and since 2014, formal home of a recognized Grappling discipline. UWW Grappling has two formats: Grappling Gi (with kimono, similar to BJJ) and Grappling (no-gi). UWW Grappling matt...
Two 3-minute periods (30-second break); Total: 6 minutes of competition; If tied at time end: 1-minute overtime → if still tied, last-scoring competitor wins
2 points: Takedown ending in dominant position, Sweep, Knee-on-Belly; 3 points: Guard Pass; 5 points: Mount, Back Mount
Grappling Gi: approved kimono (jacket + pants); colored belt by rank; Grappling (no-gi): rashguard + shorts (or grappling pants); rashguard covers torso; Mouthguard recommended; protective cup permitted (men)
UWW-standard wrestling mat: 12m × 12m total, with central 9m × 9m competition circle; Padded outer safety zone; Single championship mat at finals; multiple parallel mats at qualifiers
Two competitors per match; Weight classes follow UWW wrestling-style weight categories adapted for grappling (Men: -62, -71, -80, -92, +92 kg); Age categories: Cadet, Junior, Senior, Veteran
Two 3-minute periods (30-second break); Total: 6 minutes of competition; If tied at time end: 1-minute overtime → if still tied, last-scoring competitor wins
Decision priority: submission > technical superiority > points > last-scoring competitor; Tournament: single-elimination bracket + repechage (for bronze); Gold/Silver/two Bronze per weight + format (gi vs no-gi)
Passivity / stalling: verbal warning → caution + point to opponent (3 cautions = DQ); Fleeing mat: caution; Illegal submissions (age/category-restricted): caution → DQ
UWW Grappling combines wrestling injury profile (shoulder, knee, neck) with BJJ joint-lock risk. Age-graded submission restrictions enforced strictly.
Joint locks + chokes legal; specific restrictions vary by age group; Heel hooks legal in senior no-gi categories (more permissive than IBJJF, less than ADCC); Submission = instant win
Shake hands respectfully after every match
Competitors are expected to shake hands firmly and with eye contact immediately after the final whistle, win or lose. A limp, delayed, or withheld handshake is a serious breach of wrestling's honor code and draws heavy criticism from coaches, officials, and peers. Notable refusals at Olympic and World Championship events have sparked formal review.
Observed across freestyle, Greco-Roman, and grappling disciplines under UWW.
Release all holds the instant the referee whistles
When the referee signals a stop — for out-of-bounds, injury, or end of period — continuing to apply a hold, lock, or choke even briefly is considered a serious violation of trust. In submission grappling contexts this extends to releasing immediately on a tap. Holding beyond the whistle is seen as an attempt to injure under cover of the stoppage.
Do not showboat or taunt a beaten opponent
Excessive celebration directed at the opponent — standing over them, pointing, mocking their position after a throw or takedown — is considered deeply disrespectful. Wrestling culture prizes composure in victory. Brief natural celebration is tolerated; any celebration performed for the opponent's humiliation is not.
More strictly observed at elite and international levels where composure is tied to national representation.
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