United World Wrestling (UWW) is the international governing body for the sport of wrestling, overseeing wrestling at the World Championships and Olympics. UWW presides over international competitions for various forms of wrestling, including Greco-Roman, freestyle, grappling, and others. This article delves into the ranking system used by UWW, its components, and its significance for wrestlers worldwide.
The Importance of UWW Rankings
World Greco-Roman rankings are a valuable tool when it comes to illustrating reference points. Including a ranking next to an athlete’s name in the context of a particular competition serves as an indication of an athlete’s status during that season. Ranking can also be useful when looking back at event results from previous years. The rankings are crucial for several reasons:
- Seeding: The latest rankings are crucial to determine the top four seeds of the continental championships.
- Status Indication: A ranking next to an athlete’s name in the context of a particular competition serves as an indication of an athlete’s status during that season.
- Historical Context: Ranking can also be useful when looking back at event results from previous years.
Components of the UWW Ranking System
The UWW ranking system considers several competitions and factors to determine a wrestler's standing. These include:
- Four Ranking Series
- Senior Continental Championships
- Senior World Championships or Olympic Games
- Asian Games (eligible wrestlers)
- Pan-American Games (eligible wrestlers)
For each wrestler, only the points obtained at the World Championships, plus his/her other five best results at the ranking events (including the continental championships and two Games) of the year are counted towards the determination of the Best Athletes of the Year title.
The number of points awarded at a competition is also impacted by the number of wrestlers entered in each bracket. In weight categories with 2-5 competitors, ranking points will be reduced in half and only the top three finishers will be awarded points. In brackets that feature 6-12 participants, no additional points will be added. For weight categories with 13-16 entries, an additional 3000 points will be given.
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UWW Ranking Series Calendar
The UWW Ranking Series includes several events throughout the year. For example, the Ranking Series Calendar 2023 included:
- 1st Ranking Series: February 1-5, Zagreb, (CRO)
- 2nd Ranking Series: February 23-26, Cairo (EGY)
- 3rd Ranking Series: June 1-4, Bishkek (KGZ)
- 4th Ranking Series: July 13-16, Budapest (HUN)
In addition to the four Ranking Series stops, the Asian Games and Pan-American Games also offer ranking points to the wrestlers. The Asian Games were held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8 while the Pan-Games were in Santiago, Chile from November 1-4. The two Games hold the same ranking points as the continental championships.
Ranking Updates and Movers
The United World Wrestling releases updated rankings periodically, reflecting the performances of wrestlers in various events. These rankings are crucial for determining the top seeds in upcoming tournaments.
Here are some examples of how wrestlers' rankings can change based on their performance:
- Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) won the gold medal at Zagreb Open and that was enough for him to overtake world champion David TAYLOR (USA) for the top spot with 48000 points. Taylor has 45000 points.
- Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), red, and Reza ATRI (IRI), blue, are equal at 45000 points but the former in ranked number one. Reza ATRI (IRI), a silver medalist from World Championships, began the year at 37000 points and was second-period world champion Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) who has 45000 points. Atri now has come equal to Higuchu with 45000 points for his gold medal in Zagreb.
- Kyle DAKE (USA) continues to be at the top spot with 45000 points at 74kg.
- World champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) can consolidate his top rank at 79kg in Istanbul.
The following table illustrates how points are allocated based on tournament type and placement:
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| Tournament | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking Series (Level C) | 8000 | 6400 | 5200 |
The UWW ranking system is a dynamic and evolving framework that reflects the achievements and performances of wrestlers across the globe. It plays a vital role in seeding, competition opportunities, and recognizing the best athletes in the sport.
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