Weight classes
Encyclopedia
Weight classes are divisions of competition used to match competitors against others of their own size. This reduces the exclusion of smaller athletes in sports where physical size gives a significant advantage. Weight classes are used in a variety of sports, especially combat sports (such as boxing
, wrestling
, and mixed martial arts
).
The existence of weight divisions gives rise to the practice of weight cutting
. It is generally considered an advantage to be the largest individual in a weight division, therefore some athletes will work hard to lose weight through dieting
and dehydration
prior to weigh-ins to meet the required weight class.
Two alternatives exist to formal weight classes: catch weight
and open weight.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, and mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
).
The existence of weight divisions gives rise to the practice of weight cutting
Weight cutting
Weight cutting is the practice of rapid weight loss prior to a sporting competition. It most frequently happens in order to qualify for a lower weight class or in sports where it is advantageous to weigh as little as possible...
. It is generally considered an advantage to be the largest individual in a weight division, therefore some athletes will work hard to lose weight through dieting
Dieting
Dieting is the practice of eating food in a regulated fashion to achieve or maintain a controlled weight. In most cases dieting is used in combination with physical exercise to lose weight in those who are overweight or obese. Some athletes, however, follow a diet to gain weight...
and dehydration
Dehydration
In physiology and medicine, dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. It is literally the removal of water from an object; however, in physiological terms, it entails a deficiency of fluid within an organism...
prior to weigh-ins to meet the required weight class.
Two alternatives exist to formal weight classes: catch weight
Catch weight
A catch weight is a term used in combat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts to describe a weight limit for a fight that does not fall in line with the traditional limits for weight classes...
and open weight.
See also
- Wrestling weight classesWrestling weight classes-For men's freestyle and Greco-Roman:Currently, men's freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling is divided into four main age categories internationally: schoolboys, cadets, juniors, and seniors....
- Judo weight divisions
- Boxing weight classes
- Kickboxing weight classesKickboxing weight classesKickboxing weight class names and its system are not unified at all, so each weight division system of every kickboxing organization is shown in this article.-Amateur:-Professional:Males and females follow the same weight division system....
- Mixed martial arts weight classes
- Olympic weightlifting weight classes