United World Wrestling (UWW) has announced the testing of a new rule in Greco-Roman wrestling, which will be implemented for the first time at the 2025 European Championship in Bratislava. According to the new regulation, if a match ends with a 1-1 score, victory will be awarded to the wrestler who scored the first point.
Reasons and Objectives of the Change
The decision to test this rule was made after a detailed analysis of the current UWW regulations. The organization's Technical Commission unanimously recognized that the existing rule, which awards victory to the athlete who scores the last point, may unintentionally encourage a passive style of wrestling, particularly in the early stages of a bout.
The new rule aims to increase the entertainment value of matches, encourage offensive actions, and eliminate the strategy of waiting until the final moments to secure a point. This is particularly relevant for Greco-Roman wrestling, where passive matches with minimal active engagement are often observed.
Where and When Will the New Rule Apply?
The new rule will be tested at the Senior European Championship, which will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia, from April 7 to 13, 2025. It will apply exclusively to Greco-Roman wrestling and only in cases where the match ends with a 1-1 score.
UWW is also considering expanding the testing to other international tournaments and continental championships. If the trial proves successful, the organization may incorporate the rule into the official regulations.
A Notable Precedent: The Influence of Saba Chikhlashvili
Interestingly, the idea of changing the rule had been under discussion for some time, but its implementation may have been accelerated by the performances of Georgian wrestler Saba Chikhlashvili. In 2023, he became the U20 European Champion, winning all his matches with a 1-1 score by securing the last point. More recently, at the U23 European Championship in Tirana, he once again won all his bouts with the same strategy. This drew the attention of UWW, as such tactics highlighted the need to reconsider the current rules.
Prospects and Possible Consequences
The introduction of this new rule could significantly impact the strategies of wrestlers and coaches. In a 1-1 scenario, the key factor will no longer be securing the last point but rather initiating the scoring first. This could lead to:
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A more aggressive start to matches, as wrestlers will strive to score first.
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Changes in tactical approaches, where maintaining an early lead becomes more crucial than waiting to score late in the bout.
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Increased entertainment value, as passive wrestling will become less effective.
However, questions remain about the fairness of this rule and whether it could lead to a new type of strategic play, where athletes might attempt to "freeze" the match after scoring the first point. The results of the trial in Bratislava will help UWW determine whether this change should be made permanent.
The 2025 European Championship will serve as a crucial test for this new regulation, promising exciting and dynamic matches for wrestling fans.
All Participants of the 2025 European Wrestling Championship: Full List