Viking Performance MAS Wrestling Holiday Challenge I

A true test of raw, functional strength… Core strength, back, legs, grip… A battle of strength combined with flexibility, agility with strength endurance, and everything decided by true grit and toughness…

MAS Wrestling… literally “Stick Wrestling” in Yakut (the language of the Russian territory Yakutia) is a sport with a rich history over 1,000 years old and descended from Viking times, though just making its way to American shores a few short years ago.

Join us at VPT for one of the eastern USA coast’s first ever MAS Wrestling tournaments, and be a part of one of the world’s fastest growing strength sports!  Better yet, someone may even win a chance to compete in the American Championships in Los Angeles January, 2016, and compete for a spot on the MAS Wrestling national team!  If that wasn’t enough, we will also be featuring cash prizes and an ABSOLUTE DIVISION!

Viking Performance Training Presents

The First “Viking Performance MAS Wrestling Holiday Challenge”

Team MAS USA membership is required to participate!  A year’s membership is only $30, and as well as joining a great organization membership means your points will be calculated and kept track of on a national scale for National rankings!  Sign up for your Team MAS USA membership here: MAS Wrestling USA membership form.

Promoter- Jay Handley

Date/Time- Saturday, December 19th. Action begins at 2pm.

Location- Viking Performance Training, 139 Greenbag Rd, Morgantown, WV 26501

Weigh-ins- Friday weigh-ins are from 5pm-7pm.  Day-in weigh-ins are Saturday from 10am-12 noon.

Rules/Safety Briefing- 1:00pm. This meeting is mandatory.

Divisions-

Women’s: 55kg (121 lb), 65kg (143 lb), 75kg (165 lb), 85kg (187 lb), 85+ kg (187+ lb).

Men’s: 60kg (132 lb), 70kg (154 lb), 80kg (176 lb), 90kg (198 lb), 105kg (231 lb), 125kg (275 lb), 125+ kg (275+ lb).

Absolute (Men’s and Women’s)

Consolidation of some classes is very, very likely.  Weight categories with 2 or less competitors are merged with the next highest weight class.

All classes are currently Open age groups, but teen groups and Masters groups will be added in if number of competitors is high enough.

Weight categories with 3-5 athletes are conducted in Round Robin format; weight categories with 6 or more athletes conducted in Double Elimination A-B format.

Awards-

• Viking themed medals for 1st – 3rd.
• Absolute Division Winners will receive a $120 cash prize, 2nd place $50, 3rd place $30!
• The winners of the TWO LARGEST weight classes (defined as most competitors) will receive MAS WRESTLING SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES made of the following: paid registration to the American MAS Wrestling Championship in Los Angeles – Sunday, January 24th- hotel rooms, and partial airfare to LA.   *if any winner of this package chooses not to participate in Los Angeles the sponsorship package will pass on to the next most qualified competitor.

Entry- $30 (+$2 fee). Must have AAU membership card or purchase proof present. Entries must be registered NO LATER THAN Sunday, December 13th. $20 late charge. Includes t-shirt. Late entries are not guaranteed a shirt. Additional shirts may be available for purchase.

Contact Info– Jay Handley: (304) 216-7496, jhandley@vikingperformancetraining.com

Hotel Info- To Be Announced!

RULES:

The order of matches is determined by drawing lots.  All matches are determined as best out of 3 bouts.

Athletes sit in front of each other, prop their feet against the jam board that divides the competition arena, and pull on a short stick.  The athlete that is assigned the “red” side chooses the stick hold position (external for the first bout) and shows their position (over/under grip) and has no right to change it.  In the second bout the grip is reversed/switched (internal to external, vice versa).  If a 3rd bout is necessary, a coin toss or similar means of chance determines who has choice of grip.

The stick must be over the jam board and more or less parallel to it (center must be directly over board).  Hands and fingers between competitors are not to overlap in start position.

Feet must begin on the board, both inside the center starting lines.  Upon start of the bout, feet may move anywhere along the jam board but not onto the side supports.

Bout starts on Referee’s whistle/signal (Sit, Ready, Go).

METHODS OF VICTORY:

Snatching the stick away from your opponent.

Pulling your opponent over the board.

Opponent releases a hand.

Opponent moves one or both feet over the jam board higher than knee level.

Opponent gets 2 cautions in a single bout.

Cautions:

Hooking and resting the stick and/or arms against the board and/or toes.

Twisting the stick over 90 degrees vertically and horizontally.

Re-gripping and twisting the stick before the start.

Disobeying the Referee’s orders before the start.

Setting feet, body, or head against the lateral device fastening the board.

Athletes fall together.

Points (these may be used for tiebreakers and National Rankings):

Win 2-0 and receive 3 points; win 2-1 and receive 2 points; lose 1-2 and receive 1 point.

More on rules explanations can be found at Youtube MAS rules.

EQUIPMENT:

Men have traditionally competed shirtless (optional).  Women compete with shirts on.

Shorts or tights/compression pants must be worn.  No baggy pants covering knees.

Any type of footwear may be worn except cleats or other shoes that dig in to the board.