Alexander Karelin about possible modifications of the wrestling rules, Alexander Karelin about possible modifications of the wrestling rules

To: Participants of the Working Group on analysis and possible modifications
 of the wrestling rules To: Mr. Turlykhanov Dauvlet (KAZ),  Messrs. Saletnig Mario (CAN), Tzeno Tzenov (BUL), Albanese Aldo (ITA). AYIK Ahmet (TUR), BArzegar Mansour (IRI), Fraiser Steve (USA),  Fukuda Tomiaki (JPN)
Hegedus Csaba (HUN), Kazarian Stephan (ARM), Mamiaschvili Mikhail (RUS), Tunneman Harold (GER), Val Pedro (CUB), Yalouz Ghani (FRA), Zahirr Ibnou Mohammed (MAR),

Dear Mr. Daulet TURLYKHANOV, coordinator of the Group,
Dear Members of the Editorial Board!

Please, accept the words of gratitude for including me in such an authoritative and representative group composition and for the possibility to take part in  discussion of such an important and pressing matter as the wrestling rules. Also let me to thank the Wrestling Federation of Russia, its President Mr. Mikhail Mamiasvili in the person for the right to suggest modifications upon the Rules on behalf of the Glorious Wrestling Power – The Russian Federation.
Analyzing and discussing the revolutionary modifications directed to raise appealing and attractiveness one of the most ancient sports – wrestling one can draw several conclusions:

1. Duration of the bout  does not permit the athletes to show their worth   for such short time limits (1 min – 30 sec – 30 sec) and to deliver to the spectators the essence and the nerve of wrestling.
 
2. The excellent start of the obligatory par-terre position  has unfortunately mutated  up to irrecognizability. A very low percent of wrestlers executes the spectacular Olympic lift (обратный пояс) but immediately passes to execute a back suplece (задний пояс).

3. Drawing of lots.  To the horror of the Olympic Gods it has born such a victory  as a “victory  by the last inactivity”.
4. The big number of pauses, multitude of interpretations and specifications in the valid edition of rules criminally increase the time limit to hold the bout, the majority of two period matches lasts more than 10 minutes. And this circumstance not only  protracts  the time to hold the events but makes wrestling  less attractive from the point of view of the leaders of broadcast companies dealing with the organization of TV translation  through federal, satellite, cable and Internet  channels.

5. System of scoring  sends the wrestling into oblivion, you see, the brilliant, adventurous  athletes are giving platform to   ”mathematicians”  pressing to win  by “the last inactivity”. Thereby we deprive ourselves of the main thing – the love of the audience coming to see a beautiful wrestling, cascade of holds and intrigue of the bout. In our opinion the total scoring should be counted by points but not by periods.
Understanding that I address the evident experts dealing with matters of sports combats I permit myself  to go on the suggestions for discussion:

1. Formula of the bout:

Time of the bout:
Senior and juniors up to 20 years old – 5 min;
Cadets (senior boys) – 4 min;
Schoolboys (younger boys) – 3 min.
The joined-up bout (without interrupting, without extra time)  will permit the wrestlers to show their technical and tactical skills and to demonstrate the audience
all the philosophy of wrestling.

2. It is to be kept on the values 1,2,3,4,5 points in a standing position and 1,2,3,4 points respectively in a par-terre position in order to motivate wrestlers to executing effective throws and holds.

3. In case an opponent being in standing position fell down in a parterre position the bout should not be stopped it is needed to let the athlete a possibility continue actions;

4. To motivate athletes to an active wrestling in any position it is to encourage standing up from par-terre position by the referee’s value of 1 point;

5. To punish the wrestler by a caution for the passive wrestling conduct including punishment for stepping out beyond the mat of the retreating wrestler after three cautions, the forth one enables  an active wrestler to choose a position to continue the bout in (par-terre or standing position);
 
6. A warning for a passive wrestling conduct can be declared not more than once to every of opponents without a punishment by penalty points.

7. Victory by fall – touché, pure technical victory – victory when the superiority  in scoring is 8 and more points, under the draw bout the winner is defined as follows:
A)  superiority has a wrestler  won a higher value;
B) in case the values are equal then the winner will be the wrestler attained the minimum cautions for  passive wrestling;
C) winner can be defined by the last evaluated action;

RESUME

These suggestions are aimed at raising the competitive ability of wrestling in comparison with other sports in the dispute for an access to television communications,  media and financial resources of potential sponsors. 
Besides, realization of these proposals  will permit to restore the classical image of wrestling formed on the basis of principles of harmony and perfection developed in many cultures of the West Europe and giving the civilized world a phenomenon of sports combat,  one of ancestors of contemporary Olympic movement, Greco-Roman wrestling. It will permit also to demonstrate the audience the all-in-one, by per perception, but categorically valued actions. 
It is a deliberate reservation as soon as I act not only as an athlete having the merits but as an organizer of sport competitions for children and teenagers.

I am convinced that the full and universal preservation of the spirit of antic wrestling without the referee’s casuistry and without complicated perception by the spectator  will permit to return  our sport back to the especially spectacular category and to keep on the wrestling in the comprehensive Olympic program.

Wise colleagues, let me express the hope that these suggestions will be helpful for the working group and be welcome with a due interest by Mr. Raphaёl Martinetti, president of the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles and the esteemed FILA Bureau members.

With unconcealed respect, A. Karelin - Member of  working group