The Indian Independence Day marked the start of the wrestling competition at the Rio Olympic Games. India is being represented by a total of 8 wrestlers at the Games – five men and three women competitors. But India, do you know how the scoring of the Greco-Roman wrestling works?
Here is everything you need to know about the points system of the wrestling competitions at the Games:
What is the points system for the different moves?
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In the Olympic Games, the Greco-Roman wrestling is followed. The points here are awarded mostly on the basis of how explosive the actions and risks are of both the wrestlers. It means that if wrestler ‘A’ performs a grand amplitude throw to bring wrestler ‘B’ on the ground in a dangerous position, then wrestler ‘A’ will be awarded the greatest number of points for the move. But there are also a number of ways how the wrestlers can accumulate points which is explained below:
Takedown (1 to 5 points): A takedown would see wrestler ‘A’ being awarded points when he gains control over his opponent wrestler ‘B’, and gains control over him on the mat from a neutral position (when both wrestlers are on their feet). But the wrestler ‘A’ needs to have at least three points of contact over the wrestler ‘B’ on the mat (e.g. two arms and one knee; two knees and one arm or the head; or two arms and the head).
Here is the further definitive distinction of how the points of a takedown are awarded:
5 points - Five points are awarded to the better wrestler for a takedown brought about by a throw of grand amplitude (a throw in which a wrestler ‘A’ brings wrestler ‘B’ off of the mat and controls him so that his feet go directly above his head) from the standing position into a direct and immediate danger position.
3 points - Three points are awarded for a takedown brought about by a grand amplitude throw by wrestler ‘A’ that does not bring wrestler ‘B’ in a direct and immediate danger position or for a takedown in which the latter is taken from his feet or his stomach to his back or side (a throw of short amplitude) so that he is in the danger position.
1 point - One point is awarded for a takedown brought about by wrestler ‘A’ taking wrestler ‘B’ from his feet to his stomach or side such that his back or shoulders are not exposed to the mat.
Reversal of 1 point: Wrestler ‘B’ is awarded one point for a reversal when he gains control over wrestler ‘A’ from a defensive position (when wrestler ‘B’ is being controlled by wrestler ‘A’).
Exposure/Danger Position (2 or 3 points): Wrestler ‘A’ will be awarded two or three points for exposure when he exposes Wrestler B’s back to the mat for several seconds. The criteria for exposure or the danger position is met when – 1) Wrestler B is in a bridge position to avoid being pinned, 2) Wrestler B is on one or both elbows with his back to the mat and avoids getting pinned, 3) Wrestler A holds one of Wrestler B’s shoulders to the mat and the other shoulder at an acute angle, 4) Wrestler B is in an "instantaneous fall" position (where both of his shoulders are on the mat for less than one second), or 5) Wrestler B rolls on his shoulders.
If Wrestler B is in the danger position, it allows Wrestler A to score two points. An additional hold-down point may be earned by maintaining the exposure continuously for five seconds.
Penalty (1 or 2 points): The penalty came into play after the 2004–2005 changes to the international styles. It indicates that if Wrestler B takes an injury time-out, Wrestler A will receive one point unless the Wrestler B is bleeding. The rules also mention that other infractions such as fleeing a hold or the mat, striking the opponent, acting with brutality or intent to injure, using illegal holds, etc. are also penalized by an award of either one or two points, a Caution, and a choice of position to the opponent.
Out-of-Bounds (1 point): This means that when either of the wrestlers places his foot in the protection area, the match is stopped, and one point is awarded to his opponent.
Here are the different ways in which a wrestler can win a match:
Win by Fall:
In the Greco-Roman wrestling, both the shoulders of the defensive wrestler must be held long enough for the referee to "observe the total control of the fall" (usually ranging from one half-second to about one or two seconds).
It is then followed by the judge or the mat chairman to concur with the referee that a fall was made. However, if the referee does not indicate a fall, and the fall is valid, the judge and the mat chairman can concur together and announce the fall. A fall in wrestling ends the match entirely regardless of when it occurs.
Win by Technical Superiority or Technical Fall:
It implies that if a fall does not happen to win a match by either of the wrestlers, a wrestler can win a period simply on the basis of the points he has accumulated.
It is to be noted that if either wrestler gains a 6-point lead over his opponent at any time, or scores a five-point throw (a throw where the person's feet go directly above his head), or scores two three point takedowns (taking an opponent from his feet to his back or sides so that there is shoulder exposure), the current period will be declared over and the wrestler with more points will be declared the winner of that period by technical superiority.
If a wrestler wins two out of three periods in this way, he is then the winner of the match by technical superiority.
Win by Decision:
- A win by decision comes into play when neither of the wrestlers is unable to win by fall or technical superiority. If the score is tied at 1-1 at the end of both standing and ground phases, the winner is determined by a certain criterion.
- This criterion takes into account three things:
1. The number of cautions given to each wrestler for penalties;
2. The value of points gained (that is, whether a wrestler gained points based on a one, two, or three-point move);
3. The last scored technical point are taken into account to determine the winner of the period. It has been observed that, the wrestler who scores the last technical point is generally awarded the period.
Win by Default:
This comes into play when either of the wrestlers is unable to continue participating for any reason or fails to show up on the mat after his name was called three times before the match begins, his opponent is declared the winner of the match by default, forfeit, or withdrawal.
Win by Injury:
This is also similar to win by default or forfeit as in this scenario, one of the two wrestlers is either injured and unable to continue. In this case, the other wrestler is declared the winner by medical forfeit or injury default. The term also encompasses situations where wrestlers become ill, take too many injury time-outs, or bleed uncontrollably. It is also to be noted that if a wrestler is injured by his opponent's illegal maneuver and cannot continue, the wrestler at fault is disqualified.
Win by Disqualification:
A wrestler can win by disqualification when his opponent has received three Cautions for breaking the rules. It is also to be noted that under any other circumstances where either wrestler shows flagrant brutality, the match may be ended immediately and the wrestler at fault will be disqualified and removed from the tournament.
