OPEN TOURNAMENTS
What is an Open Tournament?
Throughout the year, you'll hear about open tournaments. An open tournament is a wrestling tournament open to all wrestlers from around the county as well as out of state. A registration fee usually between 10 and 15 dollars is expected. It is an individuals choice whether to participate in Open Tournaments. The competition at these tournaments can be extremly tough. Bantams (5 and 6 year olds) could probably be competitive since this is the age most wrestlers start. If you are starting out as a Midget (7 and 8 year olds), you might be giving up some experience, but if you have some natural physical ability and some wrestling knowledge you could be successful. It is recommended if your starting out as a Junior (9 and 10 year olds) or Intermediate (11, 12 and 13 year olds) that you wait and increase your wrestling experience prior to entering open tournaments.
These tournaments require you to weigh in on either Friday night or Saturday morning before the tournament (You must make your registered weight). Tournaments usually start at around 9 in the morning and can last as late as 5 in the afternoon. Wrestlers are required to put their win / loss record on the registration form for seeding purposes. Wrestlers will be seeded in a tournament bracket according to their records. Top seeded wrestlers go against bottom seeded wrestlers right from the start. Most tournaments are single elimination which means after your first loss your done. If only a few wrestlers registered at one weight class they could give you a high bout number meaning your first match could be late. They could also combine the weight class into another class to provide matches for everyone. Trophies are usually given to the top four wrestlers in each division and weight class. If you do decide to participate in these tournaments, Good Luck and enjoy the experience. You will witness some great wrestling action.