by Maximiliano Torres

Created on: January 29, 2009

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world. It was in the ancient Olympics and was used to train and armies and assassins. Even now wrestling is still alive. In the US wrestling is the hardest sport anyone can do in high school or college. It takes long practises, AM and PM runs and a special diet to be the best. There are different styles of wrestling. What one usually sees in high school and college is usually folkstyle wrestling. The two styles that are in the Olympics are freestyle and greco-roman.All these styles are unique and have their own special rules. To fully appreciate wrestling you must know a little something about the sport. This isn't the kind of sport that you can watch and completely understand without knowing anything.

Freestyle wresting is probably the fastest and most entertaining one. This style is all about takedons and throws. A freestyle match is made up of three 2 minutes period or rounds in which which each wrestler tries to take the other one down and ultimately pin them (meaning that both of the shoulders are touching the mat). Takedowns can range from 1- 5 points depending on the type and the amplitude reached. A takedown that takes the opponent from his feet to his hands and knees is usually award 1 or 2 points which is not much. A takedown that takes the opponent from their feet to their back is usually awarded 3 points because of back exposure. And finally a takedown that takes the opponent from the feet to their back by being dangerously thrown and good form being used is awarded 5 points and wins the round. The winner of the match is the winner of 2 out of 3 rounds. There are several ways to win a round. Like it was said earlier a 5 point throw or high amplitude throw will win a round. Another way to win a round is by being ahead by 6 points, which can be scored by takedowns or by back exposures which are usually done on the mat. Even tho this style is set up for takedowns and throws mat wrestling is still very important. Being able to score on the mat is essential and mat wrestling is usually how you pin someone. A pin is always the best way to win and its what most wrestlers want.

To trully appreciate this sport you must have some knowledge about wrestling. Knowing moves and how difficult they are to be preform in a live situation helps a lot. This is a great sport to watch and to practise. It is practise all around the world and the rules are the same. No matter where you are the goals of this sport are the same.

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