You can apply for open spots on 2017 U.S. Grappling and Beach World Teams this week

USA Wrestling’s Associated Styles program is working to finalize the delegations for the upcoming World Championships in two popular non-Olympic styles of wrestling, Grappling and Beach Wrestling.


There are openings available on the U.S. World Team in both styles, and USA Wrestling will accept applications from members who would like to fill those empty spots on the teams.


Both of these self-funded tours are funded trips, meaning the participants will cover all of the costs of the trip. This includes airfare, visa, UWW room and board fees, UWW license, and the U.S. athlete participation fee.

I. GRAPPLING WORLD TEAM

The Event: The 2017 Grappling World Championships will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 18-21. This event has competition in No-Gi and Gi Grappling, with divisions for Seniors, Veterans and four youth levels.

The USA delegation: The USA will send a team to compete on the Senior and Veterans levels. For the Senior level, the USA can have only one entry per weight class. For Veterans, the USA can send as many entries as it wishes.

Unfilled Senior Weight Classes: USA Wrestling offered opportunities for the medalists from the 2017 Grappling World Team Trials a chance to be on the team at the weight class that they competed in. At this time, there are eight unfilled weight classes, two for men and six for women. The unfilled weight classes are:

• Senior Men No-Gi – 62 kg

• Senior Men Gi – 62 kg

• Senior Women’s No Gi - 64 kg

• Senior Women’s No Gi - 71 kg

• Senior Women’s No Gi - Over 71 kg

• Senior Women’s Gi - 64 kg

• Senior Women’s Gi - 71 kg

• Senior Women’s Gi - Over 71 kg

Applying for Senior Open Spots: Athletes who would like to compete for the U.S. Senior Grappling World Team in the unfilled weight classes must send a request, with a complete resume of achievements in Grappling and Wrestling to Gary Abbott by Thursday, August 31 at gabbott@usawrestling.org. The email must include the weight class that they seek to compete. The selections will be based upon: 1) Past success in UWW/USA Wrestling Grappling events; 2) Past success in Grappling events from other organizations.; 3) Past success in wrestling

Applying for Veterans Open Spots: Veterans are 35 years old and above. USA Wrestling invited all of the athletes who are of Veterans age who competed at the last two Grappling World Team Trials to compete as a Veterans athlete at the World Championships. At this point, we have five Veterans athletes who have committed to compete at the Grappling Worlds in the Veterans division. Others could participate, but would need to notify USA Wrestling right away if they wanted to attend. Those who wish to compete in the Veterans division at Grappling Worlds must send a request, with with a complete resume of achievements in Grappling and Wrestling to Gary Abbott by Thursday, August 31 at gabbott@usawrestling.org. The email must include the athlete’s birth date and projected weight class that they seek to compete.

Note to Grappling Athletes: Financial cost information will be immediately shared with all athletes who apply for the Grappling World Team.

II. BEACH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS


The Event: The 2017 Beach World Championships, which will be held in Dalyan, Turkey, October 13-15. Competition will be held in the Senior, UWW Junior and UWW Cadet age divisions.

The USA delegation: The USA will send a team to compete on all age level levels. For the Senior level, the USA can have three entries per weight class.

The process so far: USA Wrestling has invited all of the entries from the Beach Nationals the last two years to compete at the Beach Worlds. So far, there are seven athletes interested in competing. Since the USA can send three per weight class, there is room for other athletes to participate on the team, in all weight classes and age groups. At this time, the Associated Styles Committee is opening those spots to any USA Wrestling member who wants to attend, at the appropriate age group and weight class.

Applying for the Beach World Team: Those who wish to compete at the Beach Worlds must send a request, with with a list of achievements in Beach Wrestling and other forms of Wrestling to Gary Abbott by Thursday, August 31 at gabbott@usawrestling.org. The email must include the athlete’s birth date and projected weight class that they seek to compete.