Section 8: Safety Considerations
8.1 Medical Personnel and Equipment
A qualified competition doctor and paramedic team must be present at matside for all UWW-sanctioned events. Medical personnel have the authority to examine injured wrestlers during designated stoppages. A fully equipped first aid station must be available adjacent to the competition area. At major championships, an ambulance must be on standby at the venue.
8.2 Weigh-In Procedures
Official weigh-in is conducted on the morning of competition, typically 2–3 hours before the first bout. Wrestlers must make weight on the day they compete (no day-before weigh-in). Wrestlers step on the scale wearing only their singlet or underwear. Each wrestler receives two attempts on the scale. A wrestler who fails to make weight is eliminated from the competition. UWW has implemented these same-day weigh-in rules to discourage extreme weight cutting practices that endanger athlete health.
8.3 Skin and Medical Checks
Prior to competition, all wrestlers undergo a skin check by the competition doctor to screen for communicable skin conditions such as ringworm, impetigo, herpes simplex, and other contagious infections. Wrestlers found with active skin infections are disqualified from competition to protect other athletes. Nails are inspected, and any open wounds must be properly bandaged with the doctor's approval.
8.4 Blood Time
If a wrestler begins bleeding during a match, the referee stops the clock and grants blood time for treatment. The bleeding must be controlled and the wound properly dressed before the wrestler may continue. Each wrestler is allowed a cumulative maximum of 5 minutes of blood time per match. If bleeding cannot be controlled within this limit, the match is stopped and the wrestler forfeits by injury default. Blood on the mat must be cleaned before action resumes.
8.5 Injury Time
If a wrestler is injured during a match (without blood), the referee may grant injury time of up to 2 minutes. The competition doctor evaluates the wrestler during this time. If the wrestler cannot continue after 2 minutes, the opponent wins by injury default. If the injury was caused by the opponent's illegal action, the injured wrestler may be given additional recovery time at the discretion of the mat chairman.
8.6 Prohibited Techniques for Safety
The following techniques are banned to protect wrestlers from serious injury:
- Full nelson: Applying a double nelson (both hands behind the opponent's neck) is illegal due to the risk of cervical spine injury.
- Headlock without arm: A headlock must include at least one of the opponent's arms to prevent neck hyperflexion.
- Spiking: Driving the opponent headfirst into the mat from a throw is prohibited and results in immediate disqualification.
- Small joint manipulation: Bending or twisting individual fingers or toes is illegal.
- Scissors on the head or neck: Applying a leg scissor to the opponent's head or neck is banned.
- Twisting arm locks: Hyperextending or twisting the arm behind the opponent's back beyond its natural range of motion at a forced angle is prohibited.
8.7 Mat Safety
Wrestling mats are inspected before each competition day for proper thickness (minimum 6 cm), surface integrity, and secure positioning. Mats on elevated platforms must have additional crash padding on all sides. The mat surface is cleaned and disinfected between sessions to prevent the spread of skin infections. Any tears, buckles, or separations in the mat surface must be repaired before competition resumes.