ACWA US Open 2024 – Brea, CA

The American Catch Wrestling Association (ACWA) along with the UWF USA and Brea Wrestling, will hold the US Open of Catch Wrestling tournament Sunday, December 22nd at Brea-Olinda HS. This is the National Champioship of modern amateur Catch-as-Catch-can style for wrestling and last year over 90 competitors signed up to chase the opportunity to be a National Champion. Winners will be considered for the Snake Pit World Catch Wrestling championships in England in 2025.

Our goal is to bring the sport of Catch Wrestling back to the public eyes and get people back on to the mats as another addition to the existing styles of amateur wrestling (Folkstyle/Freestyle/Greco-Roman) and grappling (BJJ, Submission Wrestling, Judo, Sambo, UWW Grappling, etc.)

A simple breakdown of the rules are:

-Win by pin, submission, or points

-A pin is when both wrestler’s shoulders are pinned to the mat for a silent 3 count. A pin cannot be counted while in a wrestler’s scissor (guard) or if caught in a submission (catch)

-A submission is when a legal hold makes a wrestler give up either verbally or by tapping the mat or opponent 3 times

-Points are scored as follows: 2pts takedown, 1pt escape, 2pt reversal, 3pts throw straight to an opponent’s back, 4pts High Amplitude (heels over hips).

-Matches are 6 minutes in length

-Shoes are allowed

-Headgear is allowed

Illegal holds and techniques:

-Heel hooks and modified heel hooks (Reverse Toe Hold, Aoki Lock, etc.)

-Spiking an opponent on their head or neck

-Scissor takedowns

-Throwing submissions

-No guard pulling or stalling

-We will not be strict on uniform, but no loose fitting gear especially t-shirts. Singlets, Compression/Lycra shorts, Rashguards, Tights/Spats are preferred. Board or grappling styled shorts are allowed.

All levels are welcome, but there are no experience/belt divisions. Entry is $40 when registered online, $50 at the door. Women compete for free.

Weigh-ins will be from 8:30am – 10am. We intend to get matches up and going shortly after 11am.

Weight classes contested will be:

Men – 134 lbs (61 kg), 143 lbs (65 kg), 154 lbs (70 kg), 163 lbs (74 kg), 174 lbs(79 kg) 190 lbs (86 kg), 214 lbs (97 kg), +214 lbs (97 kg to Unlimited)

Women – 117 lbs (53kg), 128 lbs (58 kg), 139 lbs (63 kg), +152 lbs (69kg to Unlimited)

Depending on number of entries we will bracket athletes, or have them round robin. It is double elimination with consolation brackets for 3rd place.

You’ll find that this system lends itself to a faster paced, more aggressive match which is not just fun to watch, but to compete in as well.

Open to wrestlers 18-up.

Spectators can purchase a ticket for $5 at the door or purchased online.